Scattered like emeralds in the Caribbean Sea are the Virgin Islands—around 90 islands and cays in total, with only 19 inhabited. Split between the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands, the entire chain offers the quintessential Caribbean experience—chill vibes, cerulean water, great sailing, blinding white beaches, water sports galore, and some of the world’s best beach bars.
Here, we’ll focus on the BVI, with 16 of the aforementioned 19 inhabited islands. The main island of Tortola is home to 24,000 of the nation’s population of 40,000, but islands like Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda will compete for your attention as well.
When it comes to diving, the seas are most famous for several world-class wrecks, including the famous HMS Rhone, which went down in a hurricane in 1867, and the infamous Willy T, a former party barge that was purpose-sunk in 2019.
What makes diving the BVI so good?
In a word: wrecks. There are more than 15 to choose from, with a few consistently making “world’s best” lists, the HMS Rhone and Chikuzen among them. You’ll find them in depths from 30 to 90 feet (9 to 27 m) with ample opportunity for penetration if you’re certified.
Wrecks like the Willy T, a former party boat, and the Sharkplaneos—we’ll explain later—beg for silly photos, ideal for social media.
Dive sites are mostly all a short boat ride from shore—choose an established provider and plan on a two-tank morning.
Underwater environments, aside from the wrecks, mostly consist of patchy reefs next to the many islands. You’ll find lots of reef fish, lobsters, eagle rays, reef sharks, nurse sharks, and more hiding in the cracks and crevices.
Aside from the diving, the BVI is ideal for families and couples where only one-half dives. There’s plenty to keep the group occupied, from stunning beaches to snorkeling, to day sails, while the diver blows bubbles. That said, let’s dive into the best wreck diving in the British Virgin Islands.
RMS Rhone, Salt Island
The RMS Rhone, a 310-foot (94 m) Royal Mail steamship built in 1865, met its end during a hurricane in 1867, taking 123 passengers and crew with it. Today, it lies in two main pieces just off uninhabited Salt Island.
The bow rests deeper, in about 75 feet (23 m), while the stern is in 30 to 60 feet (9–18 m), making it perfect for a two-tank dive. Its coral-encrusted hull hides treasures like a “lucky” brass porthole and even a silver teaspoon, still wedged where it was left more than 150 years ago.
Exploring the bow feels like drifting through an underwater cathedral, with shafts of light falling across schools of angelfish, lobsters tucked into crevices, and the occasional hawksbill turtle gliding past. Outside, watch for reef sharks patrolling the fallen crow’s nest.
The stern offers generous swim-throughs, ideal for confident divers, and attracts moray eels, octopuses, barracuda, and rays. Every turn reveals a new blend of history and marine life.
It’s one of the Caribbean’s most iconic wrecks for a reason—touch the “lucky” porthole for tradition’s sake; hover by the massive propeller; and finish your dive with an eagle ray cameo on the safety stop.
Highlights:
- Swim through the bow and explore the well-preserved stern
- See the “lucky” brass porthole and other historic relics
- Frequent encounters with rays, eels, turtles, and barracuda
Skill level: Intermediate to advanced
Access: Boat
Chikuzen, between Tortola and Anegada
Originally a Japanese refrigeration vessel, the Chikuzen is one of the most thrilling and remote dives in the BVI. Lying isolated in open water between Tortola and Anegada, it was scuttled in 1981 after being seized for drug running.
Now lying on its port side in about 75 feet (23 m) of open water—with its starboard side rising to around 50 feet (15 m)—it’s a remote, weather-dependent site far from shelter. That isolation makes it a hub for big marine life, including nurse sharks, eagle rays, horse-eyed jacks, barracuda, and even the occasional goliath grouper.
Though there’s no real safe penetration, wide-open cargo holds and coral-covered deck structures make it a dream for exploration. Sunlight streams through gaps in the hull, illuminating snappers, angelfish, and sponges. With brisk currents possible and no reef to hide behind, conditions can be challenging—this is a dive for experienced wreck lovers.
Nicknamed an “oasis in the desert,” the Chikuzen is a meeting place for reef and pelagic life alike, serving up the kind of big-animal encounters that stick in your memory long after you surface.
Highlights:
- Cavernous cargo holds
- High chance of seeing pelagics and schooling fish
- Remote, high-energy dive with a wild ocean feel
Skill level: Advanced
Access: Boat, weather-dependent
Fearless, Peter Island
The Fearless is a piece of Hollywood history just waiting for rediscovery by divers. Once owned by actor Errol Flynn, this 100-foot (31 m) schooner carried an air of swashbuckling adventure even before it settled beneath the waves. In 2003, it was purpose-sunk just off Peter Island, where it now rests upright on a sandy bottom in about 80 feet (24 m) of water.
Though time and storms have taken their toll on the wooden hull, the skeletal remains of the Fearless are draped in corals and sponges, attracting schooling fish, lobsters, stingrays, and the occasional nurse shark.
Its ghostly bow and stern are still recognizable, creating a hauntingly atmospheric dive site that feels both historic and alive with marine life.
Do a gentle circuit around the schooner, watching for tarpon sweeping past and turtles gliding through the beams. The coral growth and schooling fish make it a standout for photographers, especially the skeletal bow rising from the sand.
Highlights:
- Exploring Errol Flynn’s schooner
- Ghost-ship atmosphere of the wooden hull
- Spotting lobsters, stingrays, and turtles
- Photographing the skeletal bow
Skill Level: Beginner
Access: Boat
Willy T, Norman Island
There have been three iterations of the famous party boat, the Willy T, with the current Willy T III still floating just off Norman Island. The boat, now more of a restaurant than a bar, has restyled itself as a more family-friendly destination.
The second Willy T, purpose-sunk nearby in 2019, was famous for the wild antics that ensued after partying guests consumed a few too many rum punches and jumped naked off the boat’s bow.
Today, the Willy T II lies in about 65 feet (20 m) of water and makes for a fun, easy dive. Pirate “skeletons” strategically placed throughout and next to the wreck are doomed to spend eternity in Davy Jones’ Locker—and they make for great photo ops.
Do a slow lap around the boat, at 100 feet (31 m) long, then belly up to the bar where you can enjoy a beverage with a few pirates or position yourself in the crow’s nest for a fun underwater shot. Don’t forget to walk the plank before completing your safety stop on the nearby shallow reef.
Highlights:
- “Walking” the plank
- Posing in the crow’s nest
- Grabbing a drink at the bar with a fellow pirate
Skill Level: Beginner
Access: Boat
Kodiak Queen, Virgin Gorda
The Kodiak Queen started life as a WWII US Navy fuel barge (USS YO-44) and is one of the few surviving vessels from the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Purpose-sunk in 2017 as part of an art-reef project, it rests in around 60 feet (18 m) of water, with its highest points just 15 to 17 feet (5 m) below the surface.
The standout feature? The remains of a massive metal “Kraken” sculpture draped over the hull, its curling tentacles forming swim-throughs and framing unique photo ops. Unfortunately, due mostly to storm damage from back-to-back Category 5 hurricanes in September 2017, all that’s left of the Kraken sculpture is some rebar and tentacle fragments around the ship.
Regardless, the wreck has blossomed into a vibrant artificial reef, hosting schools of blue tang, sergeant majors, angelfish, and an ever-growing community of corals and sponges. The layout is open and accessible, making it ideal for newer wreck divers while still offering plenty to keep veterans entertained.
Even after hurricane damage to the Kraken’s mesh, the site remains dramatic—part history lesson, part underwater art gallery, and all photogenic.
Highlights:
- Checking out the remains of the Kraken sculpture
- Easy navigation and shallow depth for long bottom times
- Blend of WWII history and creative reef building
Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
Access: Boat
Sharkplaneo, Great Dog Island
Part reef project, part art installation, Sharkplaneo takes three small planes—a Piper Navajo, a Piper Aztec, and a Cessna 150—and reimagines them as hammerhead, bull shark, and nurse shark sculptures. Sunk in 2019 in around 45 feet (14 m) of water near Great Dog Island, the planes make for a shallow, easy dive and are brimming with personality.
The planes’ shark-shaped noses, painted teeth, and playful designs combine with colorful corals and schools of reef fish for some delightful photo ops. And, because of the depth, long bottom times mean you can linger, peeking into cockpits, gliding past wings, and snapping as many “shark plane” selfies as your camera battery allows.
It’s one of the most whimsical dives in the BVI—a quirky mash-up of marine life and art that guarantees you’ll surface smiling.
Highlights:
- Dive among shark-shaped airplanes
- Fun photo ops in cockpits and alongside wings
- Accessible depth for divers of all levels
Skill Level: Beginner
Access: Boat
Wreck Alley, Cooper Island
Wreck Alley is exactly what it sounds like—a cluster of intentionally sunk ships, including the cargo vessels Marie L and Island Seal, and tugboats Pat and Beata. Resting in the sand at 65 to 85 feet (20–26 m), they’re close enough to explore in a single dive. Over time, as coral and soft sponges start to take hold, these artificial reefs have begun to attract reef fish, groupers, stingrays, and more.
The Marie L‘s open deck makes for easy finning, Pat‘s wheelhouse is perfect for swim-throughs and photo ops, and Beata‘s railings provide an excellent perch to spot reef fish. The Island Seal, lying upside down and furthest to the north, is a bit of an outlier but still worth a peek.
Mild currents and good visibility make this site approachable for beginners, with enough variety to keep the camera busy.
Think of it as the BVI’s “wreck tasting menu”—a sampler platter of structures, fish life, and underwater photography opportunities, all in one neat package.
Highlights:
- Four wrecks in one dive
- Excellent mix of fish life and photo-worthy structures
- Calm conditions most of the year
Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate
Access: Boat
About the British Virgin Islands
With 60 islands and cays, cerulean waters, world-class beach bars (did we mention the beach bars?), several chic private island resorts, and every water sport you can imagine, it’s no wonder the BVI is one of the Caribbean’s most popular vacation destinations.
Although there is an international airport on Beef Island in the BVI, many visitors arrive first at the international airport in St. Thomas (STT), the transportation and population hub of the USVI, which is well-served by United States carriers like Delta, American, and United.
If you land at STT you’ve got several options when it comes to ferries, which run from both the capital city of Charlotte Amalie to Road Town, and from Red Hook on the east end of St. Thomas to the West End of Tortola. Expect a ride of about an hour.
Underwater images/video courtesy of BVI Wreck Week/Dan Mele, Matt Anderson, and Reka Lukacs unless otherwise noted.
Top Dive Operators
Blue Water Divers: Based at Nanny Cay, Blue Water Divers was founded in 1980 by two brothers. With three dive boats, both PADI and SSI designation, and plenty of gear on hand for rentals, it’s a one-stop shop for divers.
Cuan Law: The BVI’s only dedicated liveaboard dive boat gives you the easiest access to all the islands’ dive sites. With 10 staterooms and plenty of activities for non-divers, it’s a great choice for a family or group getaway. We spent a day on board diving the RMS Rhone.
Dive BVI: We visited Wreck Alley with Dive BVI, the founders of Wreck Week in the early 2000s. They’ve got several shops and a huge variety of options, from day dives to private charters and island-hopper cruises, suitable for both the divers and non-divers in your group.
Jost Van Dyke Scuba: This is the only dive shop on Jost Van Dyke, most famous for a stretch of world-class beach bars, including the Soggy Dollar, Hendo’s, and Foxy’s. Just be sure to finish up your dives for the day before you start sampling painkillers.
Sail Caribbean Divers: With shops at Hodges Creek on Tortola, the Moorings Marina in Road Town, and Cooper Island, Sail Caribbean Divers is perfectly positioned to offer access to over 60 dive sites in the BVI.
Sunchaser Scuba: Based at the Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda, Sunchaser Scuba is closest to wrecks like Kodiak Queen and Sharkplaneos. Expect friendly, personalized service and a comfortable boat.
We Be Divin’: Based in Road Town, We Be Divin’ offers private excursions tailored to divers’ special requests. Plus, profits benefit two great causes—Beyond the Reef, which spearheads environmental initiatives, and PAW BVI, which champions animal welfare and re-homes island dogs in the U.S.
Where to Stay
On a recent visit to the BVI for Wreck Week 2025, we stayed on a catamaran provided by well-known yacht-charter company the Moorings—an ideal choice for divers who want the flexibility to move around the islands.
Yachts come in a variety of sizes and configurations, both crewed and un-crewed, and offer a unique way to get the most out of your island getaway.
Take a moment to look at this.
