Salty Reef
Concierge
Underwater and coastal scenery of the British Virgin Islands — The RMS Rhone and 60 islands to sail between.
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Caribbean · British Virgin Islands

British Virgin Islands

The RMS Rhone and 60 islands to sail between.

5.0Salty Reef rating
British Virgin Islands — The RMS Rhone and 60 islands to sail.

Destination snapshot

Best time

November–May

Water temp

79–84°F

Visibility

60–100 ft

Skill level

Beginner to advanced

Flight time (US)

~3 hrs (Miami)

Currency

US Dollar

Great for

Sailing · Wrecks

Avg cost

$$$

Why visit

Sailing central of the Caribbean, with the most famous wreck dive north of the equator.

Tortola or Virgin Gorda for hotels; a catamaran for the full experience. Half your dives are wall/reef; the other half are the Rhone and its neighbors.

The BVI is where sailors and divers meet. Charter a boat, hop between anchorages, and dive the RMS Rhone — split in two on the seafloor since 1867 and covered in coral. Or stay at a resort and let the operators come to you.

Best dive sites

  • RMS Rhone
  • The Chikuzen
  • The Indians
  • Painted Walls
  • Blonde Rock

Best snorkeling spots

  • The Baths
  • Devil's Bay
  • Loblolly Bay

What you may see underwater

TurtlesReef SharksBarracudaEagle RaysTarpon

Best time to visit

November–May for the calmest sailing

Interesting fact

The wreck of the RMS Rhone, sunk by a hurricane in 1867, is one of the Caribbean's most storied dives and a starring location in the film 'The Deep.'

Who this destination is best for

  • Sailors
  • Groups
  • Wreck divers
  • Families with older kids

Travel planning

Average budget

$2,400–$5,000 / week

Suggested length

7 nights

Where to stay

Tortola, Virgin Gorda, or a liveaboard yacht

When to go

November–May for the calmest sailing

Frequently asked questions

Is BVI better for sailing or diving?
Both — many divers combine a bareboat or crewed catamaran charter with dives on the Rhone, the Chikuzen and the Indians.
How's the visibility?
Typically 60–100 ft, best in the calmer months of April through August.
Do I need an experienced level?
No — most sites are 40–80 ft with mild current. The Rhone has a shallow bow (30 ft) and a deeper stern for progression.

Ready to dive British Virgin Islands?

Tell us your dates and experience level — a Salty Reef Travel Concierge will match you with the right resort, operator, or liveaboard in British Virgin Islands and handle the details. Always free to you.

Talk to a British Virgin Islands Travel ConciergePlan My Trip

Available 24/7 · 727-240-2242 · Our travel concierge service is always free to you.

At a glance

Region
Caribbean
Country
British Virgin Islands
Best season
November–May
Water temp
79–84°F
Visibility
60–100 ft
Skill level
Beginner to advanced
Currency
US Dollar
Flight from US
~3 hrs (Miami)
Talk to a Travel ConciergePlan my trip

Or call 727-240-2242 — available 24/7, always free.

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