BVI dive favorites

[shugoobs]

We're taking a dive trip to the US & British Virgin Islands in a couple of weeks. We've been several times and have done the usual, Rhone, etc., but I'm always into finding out what other divers' favorites are. We're definitely going to Ginger Steps and Alice's Wonderland. Any other suggestions?

 

[TSandM]

One of my favorite dives on our trip was the Chikuzen. Apparently, you can't always get out to her, if the weather is wrong. But if you can, it's a huge wreck and shelters an enormous amount of sea life.

 

[Rhone Man]

I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.

Chikuzen is a very nice wreck dive, but not all operators do it and then it is very weather dependant. Your best chance is with either Dive BVI (who I think do it every Thursday - send a PM to VGDiver (real name: Jeff) if you want to check) or Sail Caribbean Divers, who just do it periodically. There is no mooring ball on the site, and it is miles from anywhere, so even with GPS coordinates, your odds of finding it unaided are slim.

Everyone likes different things, but some of the dives that I like that are slightly off the beaten track would include:

• Devil's Kitchen
• Santa Monica Rock
• Tip 'o Scrub
• Thumb Rock
• Blonde Rock
• Tow Rock

YMMV, but I think highly overrated sites include:

• Angelfish Reef
• Wreck Alley (only one really good wreck in it)
• Coral Gardens aka the Airplane Wreck

You may want to check:
Scuba diving in the British Virgin Islands travel guide - Wikitravel

PS. Feel free to drop me a PM if you think of any specific questions.

 

[diversteve]

Our favorite 6 out of 18

Thumb Rock
Seal Dog Rock
The Indians
Chimney
Ginger Steps
Carrot Shoals

 

[altaskier]

If you go with Dive BVI, and tell them where you've been before, they'll make an effort to get you to different sites. Depends on weather, currents, others on the boat, etc. My favorites: Carval Rock, Chikuzen, Chimney, Alice's Backside.