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Specialties: Wreck diving, Snorkeling, and Live-aboard
Diving. Suitable for all levels of dive experience.
The British
Virgin Islands (BVI) have 16 inhabited islands and are located
east of Puerto Rico, between the Caribbean Sea and the North
Atlantic Ocean. Hundreds of sheltered coves, white sand beaches
and thousands of acres of protected marine parks make for
excellent snorkeling and diving. Divers find towering coral
pinnacles, underwater caves, canyons, lava tunnels, and hundreds
of wrecks. Most areas have little or no surge and only gentle
currents. The reefs are protected by law and no living thing
may be taken, with the exception of great pictures! The economy
of the British Virgin Islands is one of the most stable and
prosperous in the Caribbean. Tourism generates an estimated 45%
of the national income. There are several out islands with the
most popular being Virgin Gorda and Tortola.
· Anegada
Island has a dense coral reef surrounding it and this site
alone has over 300 shipwrecks.
· Norman
Island was the setting for the famous novel of R.L.
Stevenson, “Treasure Island.” Treasure was found there in the
late 19th century.
· Salt
Island is the home of the most popular wreck dive in the
British Virgin Islands, the R.M.S. Rhone. This 310’
wreck was featured in the movie The Deep. Encrusted with
corals, sponges, and sea fans, the superstructure provides a
dramatic setting for underwater photography.
· Virgin
Gorda, meaning “The Fat Virgin” is home to a strange coastal
area called The Baths. Boulders the size of houses were tumbled
together forming grottoes, caverns, and pools. Virgin Gorda
also has a copper mine that was worked by the Spaniards in the
early 18th century.
· Tortola,
meaning “Turtle Dove” has a primeval rain forest, Mount Healthy
and Mount Sage, which offer excellent areas for walking tours.
Best
Diving Months: October through June.
Water
Temperature: Water temperatures range from the mid-80°Fs in
summer, dropping to the upper 70°F in winter.
Underwater
Visibility: Averages between 50 to 100 feet.
Airport
Info: Beef Island Airport, Tortola is the gateway for the
British Virgin Islands. Flights are also available from San
Juan to Virgin Gorda. Some divers prefer to fly into St. Thomas
and take the inter-island water ferry service.
Documents
and Customs Regulations: A passport is preferred but U.S.
and Canadian citizens may use a certified, original birth
certificate (with a raised seal) or voter’s registration card
and a driver’s license (photo ID). All travelers should have a
round-trip or onward ticket.
Language:
English is the official language.
Climate:
Subtropical climate with temperature moderated by trade winds.
There is little variation in temperature with averages from 78ºF
to 85ºF year-round. The typical hurricane season is from July to
September.
Government: British territory.
Electrical
Current: 115 to 210 volts, 60 cycles AC and compatible with
American appliances. Surge protectors are recommended for
sensitive equipment.
Current
Weather:
BVI
Get current weather from Weather.com
Currency:
U.S. Dollar (USD). Get
current exchange rate from XE.com
Current
Time: British
Virgin Islands.
Get current time from WorldTimeServer.com
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