BVI Diving Advice

[chester]

I am planning on cruising the BVI in July.. this is our second trip to the BVI but my first time diving there. We’re renting our own boat so we have some flexibility… however, of the 8 of us going, only two are divers (a few others will snorkel). I’m trying to work in at least 3 dives…. I know I wanna dive the Rhone but want to choose two other dives that fit into our tentative schedule. Our group has a tentative itinerary by day as follows:

1. Day 1 leave St Thomas
2. Tortola (BVI check-in) and then on to Jost.. we may stop at Cane Garden in here somewhere
3. Anegada
4. Dogs and then anchor @ Virgin Gorda
5. Cruise along the southern islands and moor at Roadtown
6. St John
7. Head back to St Thomas

Now my questions:

1. What other two dives should we prioritize?
2. For all three dives, can anyone recommend dive shops/locations?
3. Our schedule is only tentative… do I absolutely need to make reservations with the shops prior to the trip (I will probably contact them ahead of time and directly ask them the same question)?

I realize that it might make more sense to dive the Rhone while the boat is in Tortola since it seems most of the dive shops are there (although I think there is one on Peter Island). I’m just looking for any practical advice that will help with planning and/or make it more enjoyable…….

Thank you in advance… I can’t wait!!!!!!

 

[webediving]

Try Dive Tortola. Good operation. Definitely try to do the Tugs. I personally liked it more than the HMS Rhone (not much left to see). Good luck!

T

 

[diversteve]

Check with Dive BVI on Gorda. They offer a rendezvous service where they'll meet you with tanks at various dive locations nearby: www.divebvi.com/rendezvous.htm.

We're doing the Rhone - and 15 other dives - with them from Gorda last week of April. I don't do trip reports so PM if you have any questions after we get back(May 1st.)

I've heard similar about the Rhone, but we've just got to dive it once to say we did the signature BVI dive.

 

[dpbishop]

Here is a link with good Dive site descriptions: http://www.sailcaribbeandivers.com/divesites1.htm

Check out Alice-in-Wonderland if you have snorklers on board. Its shallow enough that they can enjoy it while you dive, might buy you an extra dive.

 

[chester]

Great info from each of you... and the rendezvous sounds like a really great idea!!

But I'm kinda concerned about some of your comments re the Rhone .. guess I haven't done much/enough research. Is it not considered a good dive? Most books describe it like the mecca of BVI dives.

I've done lots of wreck dives so I don't care if I miss it if there are better dives to do... should we skip it?

 

[webediving]

The problem with the HMS Rhone is that is blown to pieces! Nothing intact to see. Bunch of debris. It is a historic dive but it was not impresive to me...IMHO

T

 

[Cacia]

The problem with the HMS Rhone is that is blown to pieces! Nothing intact to see. Bunch of debris. It is a historic dive but it was not impresive to me...IMHO

T

Well, you eastern seaboard folks have some world class wrecks....

But the debris is covered with soft coral, sea fans and tons of fish! I love that wreck. I went two years ago and thought it was very dramatic the way the bow was cleaved by the rocky point. I think it was a very violent wreck. How many people killed? 150 or 300? Anyway, a lot. BVI one of my favorite places. Yes, there is a shop on Peter Island where we got our tanks. They cater to private vessels. Call ahead, yea?

 

[slingshot]

I also enjoyed the wreck of the Rhone. For a wreck of its age, I thought there was plenty the see, and enjoyed swimming through the relatively intact bow portion. The stern features the often photographed screw, although little "structure" was intact there. I like the dive on the bow better, and saw a turtle, nurse shark, lobster, and the intact glass porthole on that dive. Overall, diving on the south side of the BVIs offers better vis, but if you get a chance to dive Grand Central Station I would. Don't know if any shore operators go there, though.

 

[Scubagal]

Diving the RMS Rhone was the highlight of our trip to Tortola.

 

[dpbishop]

If you dive the Rhone take a baggy of frozen peas for the fish.