Sunken Ships and Sunken Gardens: Diving the Labyrinth of the BVI
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are characterized by their lush green mountains, soft sandy white beaches, and crystalline turquoise waters. But beneath the surface lies a hidden world of sunken ships, vibrant coral gardens, and diverse marine life, waiting to be explored. An Aggressor Liveaboards® diving adventure in the BVI offers a dynamic opportunity to submerge yourself in this underwater wonderland.
The BVI Aggressor Liveaboard
Customers love to rave not only about the great service from the staff, but also the size of the BVI Aggressor! The 110′ liveaboard has a large 25′ beam and features many common areas aboard including the lounge, cocktail lounge, sun deck with hot tub, and restaurant. The liveaboard dive yacht also features 2 Balcony Suites on the main deck, and 5 Deluxe Staterooms and 3 Twin Staterooms on the lower deck where 20 total guests can sleep comfortably. All staterooms are climate controlled with TVs, private bathrooms, and a safe. Divers will also enjoy the extremely roomy Dive Deck with 2 camera tables, low pressure air hoses and 2 hot showers. All meals, snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are provided. View a 3D Schematic of the BVI Aggressor or visit our website for a 360 degree tour!
Norman Island: A Pirate’s Paradise Below
Norman Island, historically linked to tales of pirates and buried treasure, is a haven for divers. The Indians, a cluster of four rocky pinnacles, provide a shallow dive with a 15-foot tunnel and an underwater cavern teeming with colorful fish, barracuda, and turtles. For a more adventurous dive, Angelfish Reef presents a labyrinth of canyons and ridges where snake eels, moray eels, turtles, eagle rays, lobsters, and nurse sharks thrive amidst a vibrant tapestry of gorgonians and coral. The captivating Spyglass Wall, adorned with sea fans and sponges, attracts a diverse range of marine life, including fairy basslets, damselfish, blue tang, and squid.
Peter Island: Wrecks and Wonders
Peter Island offers a colorful diversity of diving experiences, from the shallow open-water pinnacles of Carrot Shoal to the coral-coated wrecks of Willy T and Fearless. The sunken ships, adorned with black coral trees and teeming with fish life, provide a unique glimpse into the rich maritime history of the BVI. The Painted Walls, a kaleidoscope of yellow, red, orange, and purple corals, is a photographer’s dream. With its narrow cave, four gullies, and an exuberant display of marine life, including hawksbill turtles, lobsters, and nurse sharks, Painted Walls offers hours of underwater exploration.
Salt Island: Resting Place of the RMS Rhone
Salt Island, famous for its historical salt ponds, is home to one of the world’s most celebrated shipwrecks, the RMS Rhone. This 310-foot iron-hulled steamship met its tragic end during a hurricane in 1867, splitting into two sections. Today, the stern rests at a depth of 35 feet, while the bow lies at 80 feet, offering divers a fascinating glimpse into maritime history. The wreck is adorned with corals, sponges, and a mosaic of marine life, including schools of fish, turtles, moray eels, and octopuses. Conditions permitting, the Rhone can be experienced as a mesmerizing night dive.
Cooper Island: Wrecks, Reefs, and Rocky Delights
Wreck Alley, submerged off Cooper Island, offers a silent, ghost-like collection of four wrecks: the Marie L, the Island Seal, the Pat, and the Beata. Nestled near a rich reef, the wrecks serve as a sanctuary for garden eels, stingrays, conchs, and octopuses. Divers can also explore the nearby Thumb Rock, a shallow dive site also teeming with marine life, or you can venture to Chromis Reef, a vibrant underwater garden populated by blue chromis fish, quillfin blennies, anemones, and shrimp. For those who want the thrill of open-water encounters, Dry Rocks East presents a chance to spot pelagic species like cobia, nurse sharks, barracuda, and hawksbill turtles.
Ginger Island and Virgin Gorda: Gardens and Giant Sculptures
Ginger Steps, located off Ginger Island, is a dramatic three-step wall descending 90 feet. Its excellent visibility and white sand between rocky drop-offs create a stunning backdrop for underwater photography. Divers may encounter a variety of marine life here, including pompano, octopuses, lobster, anthias, barracuda, and even dolphins and eagle rays. Virgin Gorda, known for its iconic Baths—a maze of shallow water boulders that form pools and small caves called grottoes—also offers mesmerizing diving opportunities. Mountain Point, a site rarely visited by day boats, is an aquascape of diverse fish species.
A Kraken and Giant Sharks
The Kodiak Queen wreck, a WWII fuel barge wrapped in a sculpture of a giant Kraken blends history with art for this unique diving experience. Another underwater art experience is the Shark Planeos wreck off the shores of Dog Islands, an unexpected spectacle of three airplanes sculpted into depictions of a hammerhead shark, a bull shark, and a nurse shark. The sculptures were created and sunk to provide a coral reef system for the local marine life, and to entertain divers.
Can’t Forget the Food!
Chef Brad Botha of the BVI Aggressor is one of the most popular Chefs in the fleet! This South African Chef uses his years of studying the culinary arts to craft creative and delicious meals for all to enjoy!
In Closing
An Aggressor Liveaboards® diving adventure in the BVI is a journey into a world of sunken ships, vibrant coral gardens, and diverse marine life. Whether you’re exploring the historic Rhone, navigating the canyons of Angelfish Reef, or marveling at the vibrant hues of the Painted Walls, the underwater treasures of the BVI are a thrill to discover. Contact Aggressor Adventures® today to book your unforgettable diving adventure in the British Virgin Islands!
