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Diving on the Cuan Law liveaboard
The all-inclusive, six-night itinerary departs from and returns to Tortola. Although the Cuan Law has no set itinerary, it always stops at the wreck of the RMS Rhone off Salt Island and offers shore excursions to the Baths on Virgin Gorda.
The RMS Rhone is not only one of the most popular dives sites in the BVI, but also one of the best dive sites in the Caribbean. A UK Royal Mail ship from the 19th century, the RMS Rhone carried cargo, mail, and passengers between Southampton, the Caribbean, and Brazil. During a hurricane, however, it wrecked near Salt Island in the British Islands, killing 123 people. Today, divers can view the remains, lying between 20 and 80 feet (6 to 24 m).
Other than that, divers can expect to see the many dive sites beyond the Sir Francis Drake Passage, including Norman Island, Peter Island, Cooper Island, and Ginger Island. Swirling around the BVI’s 100-plus dive sites, there are sharks, rays, turtles, and lobsters.
Generally, however, diving in the BVI means a lot of wreck diving, with each wreck more interesting than the last. Most wrecks lie in shallow waters, making them easily accessible to even beginners, and wreck certification is unnecessary unless you plan to penetrate the ship’s superstructure.
Night diving is also a must in the BVI, with a variety of nocturnal marine creatures coming out to hunt when darkness falls.
The Cuan Law offers three dives a day, including one night dive, for a total of 16 dives.
Highlights:
- Wreck diving, including the RMS Rhone
- Easy, shallow dive sites cater to all dive levels
- No set itinerary puts divers in charge of where they dive
Onboard the Cuan Law
Visually, the Cuan Law is a stunning boat that looks different from other liveaboards. Big white sails and the trimaran construction make it look more like a private luxury yacht—which isn’t far from the mark.
There are 10 ensuite cabins that can be converted into either two twin beds or one queen bed. The maximum capacity is 20 guests. All cabins have AC, ocean-view windows, and plenty of storage space.
Social areas include an expansive air-conditioned main salon with leather sofas, a small library, board games, and a self-service bar. The open-air sundeck is the perfect place to relax and catch the rays, either on one of the sunbathing mattresses or hammocks.
Coolers in the main salon and near the mast contain beer, wine, and juices. There is also a shaded alfresco deck—used for dive briefings and, at night, as a beautiful oceanfront dining area.
The dive deck is small, but there is enough room to gear up before climbing down the ladder and into the water. Alternatively, some dives are tender dives, which are of course optional if you’re not comfortable with backrolling into the water from the tender.
The Cuan Law also has free non-diving activities for the whole family, including the use of water toys and organized shore excursions. Snorkeling, sport fishing, sea kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, water skiing, and kneeboarding are all available. And, if you want to learn how to sail, there is also a complimentary easy-to-sail Hobie Cat.
Throughout the BVI archipelago, you can also enjoy shore excursions to towns, uninhabited islets, and island resorts where you can indulge in spa treatments for a surcharge.
There is also free, limited WiFi available onboard, giving guests enough internet access to check their emails. Finally, the ship is available for private hire, making it ideal for large family or friend gatherings.
Highlights:
- Available for private hire
- Suitable for non-divers
- Family-friendly
- Free WiFi available
Dining onboard the Cuan Law
The fine dining of the Cuan Law is one of the highlights of the dive trip. While breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, dinner is a sit-down affair with a broad selection of wines. In-between meals, there are plenty of snacks, including appetizers and chocolate bars.
There is a variety of international dishes—a blend of cosmopolitan and Caribbean cuisine—where flavorful fruits and vegetables are the highlights of the menu.
All the food, snacks, and drinks (including alcohol) onboard the Cuan Law are included in the price.
Highlights:
- Buffet-style breakfast and lunch
- Fine dining each evening
- International cuisine
- Alcohol included
Things we like:
- Available for private hire
- Scenic sailing
- Variety of dive sites, from wrecks to shallow gardens
- Non-diving activities available
- Free WiFi (limited)
- No set itinerary
- Alcohol included
Things we don't like:
- Small dive deck
- Steep dive ladder
- More expensive compared to other liveaboards in the area
Key Facts
| Year Built | 1988 |
| Max Divers | 20 |
| Price Range | Budget |
| Trip Length | 5-7 Nights |
| Internet | Yes (free) |
| Nitrox | Yes ($) |
| Equipment Rental | Yes ($) |
| Camera Station | No |
| Air Conditioning | Yes |
| Min. Logged Dives | No minimum |
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