10 Great Snorkeling Stops in the BVI

1. The Indians

Off Norman Island

Four dramatic rock pinnacles rising straight out of the sea between Norman Island and Pelican Island, The Indians are one of the BVI's signature snorkeling sites. Clear water, colourful coral and large numbers of reef fish make this an outstanding stop for snorkelers of different experience levels. Look for sergeant majors, parrotfish, grunts and, if you're lucky, a passing eagle ray. Conditions are often excellent, although current and swell can vary with the weather as The Indians are not sheltered.

• Best for: Coral, reef fish & dramatic underwater scenery
• Experience: Beginner to experienced
• Typical conditions: Clear water; current and swell can vary
• Access: By boat, boat entry, no shallow entry spot · National Parks Trust moorings

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2. The Caves

Norman Island · Treasure Point

A series of sea caves cut into the cliffs at Treasure Point on Norman Island's western shore, The Caves are wrapped up in the island's long history of pirates, buried treasure and the legends associated with Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. Snorkel into the cave entrances and watch the sunlight disappear behind you as schools of fish gather in the shadows. Look closely at the rock walls for colourful sponges and orange cup coral.

• Best for: Sea caves, history and an unusual snorkelling experience
• Experience: Beginner to intermediate
• Typical conditions: Usually sheltered; visibility varies nearthe caves
• Access: By boat, boat entry, no shallow entry spot · National Parks Trust moorings

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3. Angelfish Reef

Norman Island

On the south western side of Norman Island, Angelfish Reef is a maze of rocky ridges, canyons, coral and sandy bottom. Its waters are coloured by a rainbow of gorgonians, attached to the white sand, that are home to many marine species.

Including its namesake Angelfish, this reef has a wide array of fauna, jack-knifes, spotted drums, triplefin blennies, seahorses, shrimps, yellowhead jawfish, crustaceans, anemones, snake eels and Moray eels, turtles, eagle rays, southern stingrays, lobsters and nurse sharks.

With deeper water and more exposed sections than The Caves, it's a good option when conditions suit the group.

• Best for: Reef structure, coral & marine life
• Experience: Intermediate to experienced
• Typical conditions: Clear water; more exposed than The Caves
• Access: By boat, boat entry, no shallow entry spot

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4. Pirates Bight

Norman Island

A curve of white sand at the head of The Bight, Norman Island's famously sheltered anchorage. The water off the beach is generally shallow and calm, making this one of the easiest places for younger or less confident swimmers to get into the water. Explore the rocky edges and seagrass beyond the sand, or simply swim ashore watching out for boats approaching the docks.  Pirates Bight restaurant and bar is right on the beach.

• Best for: Easy snorkeling, families and beach time
• Experience: Beginner
• Typical conditions: Shallow and generally sheltered
• Access: Beach or boat

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5. Little Harbour

Peter Island

A quiet, horseshoe-shaped bay on Peter Island, just a short hop across the channel from Tortola. The sandy centre makes for an easy anchorage, while the better snorkeling is along the rocky shoreline and points, where coral, sea fans and reef fish find more cover. It's a peaceful alternative to some of the BVI's busier snorkeling stops.

• Best for: Quiet snorkelling and rocky shoreline habitat
• Experience: Beginner to intermediate
• Typical conditions: Generally sheltered inside the harbour
• Access: By boat. There is an old dock and beach that you can snorkel off as well.

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6. Cistern Point

Cooper Island · Manchioneel Bay

One of Cooper Island's best-known snorkeling spots, Cistern Point sits at the edge of Manchioneel Bay. Rocky reef, ledges and coral provide plenty of habitat for tropical fish, while the deeper edges can turn up barracuda, rays, lobster and the occasional turtle. Clear water and varied underwater terrain make this a rewarding stop when conditions are right. It is about 24 feet deep here.

• Best for: Fish life, coral and deeper reef edges
• Experience: Intermediate
• Typical conditions: Usually good visibility; conditions varyaround the point
• Access: By boat, there are dinghy moorings there, or from Manchioneel Bay for confident swimmers.

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7. The Baths

Virgin Gorda

Giant granite boulders, some around 40 feet across, form a spectacular maze of beaches, pools and grottoes at the southwestern tip of Virgin Gorda. The Baths is one of the BVI's most photographed landmarks, but there's plenty below the surface too. Snorkel along the boulder-strewn shoreline in clear water before heading ashore to explore the famous trail through the rocks to Devil's Bay.

• Best for: Boulders, beaches & iconic BVI scenery
• Experience: Beginner to intermediate in suitable conditions
• Typical conditions: Often clear; swell can make swimming or marine access unsafe, especially in the winter.
• Access: from boat or beach, using the trail or National Parks Trust moorings

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8. The Dog Islands

Between Tortola & Virgin Gorda

The Dogs are a scattered group of small, uninhabited islands between Tortola and Virgin Gorda, offering excellent snorkeling away from the larger inhabited islands. Around West Dog, Great Dog and George Dog you'll find rocky underwater terrain, coral reefs, clear blue water and abundant fish life. With no beach bars or resorts, this is snorkeling that's all about what's underwater.

• Best for: Reefs, fish life & less-developed surroundings
• Experience: Intermediate to experienced
• Typical conditions: Excellent visibility when settled; exposed to wind and swell
• Access: By boat, boat entry, no shallow entry spot · Moorings available at established sites

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