Virgin Gorda

British Virgin Islands

This is more of a bank than a rock. No rock within 15 feet of the surface. Lobster, barracuda, sharks, and big Southern Stingrays and many small fish.

Whilst Tow Rock is normally a very pleasant dive, in poor conditions it can be very challenging indeed.  When the northern swells are up, visibility can drop to just a few feet, and current and surge can make life absolutely miserable.  When conditions are calm and viz is good, it is a very enjoyable site.

Just West of the Dogs.  There is no marker bouy on the site, so GPS coordinates are a must.

Spanish Town

Tow Rock

Tip of Scrub is an unusual dive in the British Virgin Islands in that it routinely has poor visibility, and sometimes strong currents can make the dive uncomfortable for less experienced divers.

However, the marine life is outstanding at the site.  Sharks, devil rays, octopus, lobster are all frequently seen at the site.  The site also has a goliath grouper in residence.


By boat only.  Sit is about 20 minutes from East End, Tortola, located just north of the easternmost tip of Scrub Island.

Mooring ball placed on site by the National Parks Trust, but it is fairly close to the rocks, so mooring can be precarious in high seas.

Tip of Scrub is also known as Scrub Island.

Tip of Scrub

West Dog

Wall To Wall is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in British Virgin which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Wall To Wall

One of many excellent dive sites amongst The Dog islands.  Usually skipped over by dive operators in favour of more popular dive sites like Bronco Billy, The Chimney and Airplane Wreck (Coral Gardens).

It is a shame because the visibles is a superb dive site.  A series of coral pinncles punctuate a calm and sheltered dive site.  A relatively shallow maximum depth makes it an excellent dive for beginners, but enough abundant marine life to attract veteran divers (especially photographers).

By boat only.  Site is located on the west side of Cockroach Island, in the dogs.  Approximately 12 mintues from Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda by boat, and about 20 minutes from East End, Tortola.

Mooring balls have been placed on the site by the National Park Trust.


Visibles

Focus of the dive is a canyon with an arch swim through.  Possibility of seeing large marine life.  Good coral growth.

Reported to have been Jacques Cousteau's favourite dive in the British Virgin Islands.

By boat only.  Located on the northwest side of George Dog.  Approximately 12 minutes by boat from Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda; 20 minutes from East End, Tortola and 35 minutes from Road Town, Tortola.

Mooring balls have been placed on the site by National Parks trust.


Bronco Billy

Great Dog

Probably the most popular dive site in The Dog islands, the Chimney is a relatively shallow dive, with lots of canyons and ledges to expore (which combined with its sheltered location, means zero current).  

The site is named after a shaft like crevasse in the rocks which divers can swim up (provided that they are not too overweight).  Larger and more timorous divers can swim over the top of the crevasse.

Excellent marine life, but the mooring balls can get crowded with snorkellers because the site is so relatively shallow.

By boat only.  Dive site is in a bay on the northwest side of Great Dog.  Approximately 15 minutes from Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda or 25 minutes from East End, Tortola.

Mooring balls have been placed on the site by the National Parks trust.


Chimney

most of the area is a shelf with a drop off wall to about 62 feet and then all sand

On the Marina Cay side of Scrub Island

Dip N Scrub is also known as Dip and Scrub.

Dip N Scrub

Coral Gardens was for years a popular dive site, but the marine life was severely damaged by a "bleach fishing" incident, from which the reef has not fully recovered.

To popularise the dive site, an old DC-3 aircraft was sunk in the sand next to the site to provide an attraction for divers.  The plane is relatively intact (minus the wings) and big enough for divers to penetrate and swim through comfortably.

By boat only.  Site is approximately 45 minutes from Road Town, Tortola; about 20 mintutes from East End, Tortola or about 12 minutes from Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda.

Dive site is on the sheltered south side of Great Dog.  Mooring balls have been affixed to the site by the National Park.

Coral Gardens is also known as Airplane Wreck.

Coral Gardens

North Seal Dog is basically a pinnacle dive, but the pinnacle extends about the surface of the water.  The sides of the pinnacle are fairly sheer, but it is small and so easy to circumnavigate.

A very pretty dive, but difficult to do unless conditions are calm.  Abundant marine life.

By boat only.  Dive site is approximately 40 minutes from Road Town, Tortola; 20 minutes from East End, Tortola and 15 minutes from Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda.

Mooring bouys have been placed on the site by the National Parks Trust.

Seal Dog North is also known as North Seal Dog.

Tow Rock

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Tow Rock