Diving Guide in the BVI
If you are looking to dive on your chartered vacation in the BVI, then this guide is for you. We cover everything, from how to organise diving when you plan your vacation to the requirements, regulations and recommendations, as well as some beginner, intermediate and master spots.
We are one of the leading independent planners and providers of crewed yacht charters in the BVI. We work with you to plan your unique holiday and plan the best itinerary that suits you with your captain and crew.
Many yachts specialise in Scuba vacations; otherwise, we can advise or book rendezvous diving where they can meet your yacht and take you while on charter.
Please get in touch for more information about which yachts have scuba kits and instructors on board.
| Experience Level | Recommended Sites | Depth Range | Certification / Requirements |
| Complete Novice (Uncertified) | The Aquarium, Painted Walls, Coral Gardens | 10 – 40 ft | DSD (Discover Scuba Diving): Must be 10+ years old. Requires a 2-hour “Resort Course” theory and skills session before the guided dive. |
| Beginner (Certified) | The Indians, The Chimney, Angelfish Reef | 30 – 50 ft | Open Water (OW): Must present “C-Card.” If you haven’t dived in over 2 years, most BVI shops (like DiveBVI) require a “Refresher Course” before boat diving. |
| Intermediate | RMS Rhone (Bow), Wreck Alley, The Kodiak Queen | 50 – 80 ft | Advanced Open Water (AOW): Recommended for the Rhone due to overhead environments and current. Note: Divers inactive for 3+ years may be asked to do a reef dive first. |
| Advanced / Professional Level | The Chikuzen, Twin Towers, Alice in Wonderland | 75 – 100 ft | Deep/Wreck Speciality: The Chikuzen is 12 miles offshore; it requires excellent buoyancy and air management. Nitrox certification is highly recommended for these deeper sites. |
Key Information For Diving in the BVI
Diving is possible year-round in the BVI due to reliable conditions on the islands. The peak season for diving runs from December to May. This is due to light winds, dry weather, and clear visibility up to 30 years, which make for perfect scuba-diving conditions. Water temperatures will range from 79–84°F (26–29°C). These are the perfect conditions and the perfect time of year, but summer and early fall will have warmer waters, and it will be less crowded than during the peak season. Marine life is always active throughout the year.
Hurricane season runs from August to October, so you will want to consider visiting during this period for diving conditions, travel insurance, and safety.
The Marine Life Around the Islands
The BVI is a vibrant, tropical ecosystem. You can expect to see shallow coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds that are filled with a diverse range of animals. Arguably, the most famous animals that you can seek out on the islands are sea turtles (Hawksbill and Green). They are beautiful animals known for their vibrant shells. You need to have your camera ready when you visit the islands. Expect to see a variety of sharks, most likely nurse sharks, and you may spot whitetip reef sharks, blacktip reef sharks, and bull sharks. Stingrays (southern) and parrotfish are also around in the ecosystem. For the divers who are prepared to dive deeper, Anegada lobsters like to burrow in the coral, so you might find some on your adventures. Humpback whales can be seen from January to March, and dolphins are sometimes spotted and pictured near Jost Van Dyke. Seahorses are considered rare to fairly uncommon, but they have been spotted, so keep an eye out for this beautiful, unique fish!
The Law & Regulations
Diving is regulated, ensuring the vibrant and beautiful ecosystem is protected, the environment is preserved, and visitors can enjoy it without damaging it. This is also designed to protect the islands and their ecosystems from potential damage from increased tourism and footfall. Key regulations include:
- Licensing where all diving, which must be registered and licensed to maintain and ensure safety standards for the environment.
- Conservation and protection where it’s illegal to damage, remove or disturb any marine life. As well as artifacts from shipwrecks and other historical items.
- Boats are required to use mooring buoys rather than anchors to prevent damage to the environment and reef systems.
- Certified divers must show proof of certification, with instructors also needing to hold recognized certifications.
Many yachts specialise in scuba vacations, and there are also scuba companies that can be arranged to meet you when on the boat and then take you out to dive during your charter. Speak to us when you are considering your diving booking, as some of our yachts include scuba diving, whereas others do not, and we can plan this into your vacation.
