The Virgin Islands are a premier scuba diving and snorkeling destination, because the water is so clear. The east/west direction of the islands to the easterly Atlantic swells prevents the sand from being churned up inside the cruising ground, and fishing is restricted in the National Park. So there are lots of tropical fish and ever-friendlier wild dolphin and whales to discover!. Here is what you are likely to see under the water, while snorkeling the tropical reefs of the BVI this winter….octopus, turtles, colorful fish, goliath groupers! Sunken wrecks! 18th century canon?
Glenn and Angela aboard the 47′ S/Y Caribbean Dream pulled up to a mooring ball at The Chimney (Great Dog, BVI) for a dive and saw what appeared to be a plastic bag floating just under the surface. Angela grabbed her camera and went to check…. it was a Stinging Cauliflower Jellyfish about 2 ft long!. Absolutely beautiful. She says her pictures do not do it justice!
Capt. Jerome Blair aboard the 58′ yacht Braveheart is featured in the June 2013 issue of Cruising World Magazine in an article about what we are doing to combat the Invasive Lionfish and helping to save the coral reefs in the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean. If left unchecked the lionfish will destroy our entire coral reef marine ecosystem, because of their voracious appetites, fast growth, and exponential reproductive rates, combined with the fact that they have NO natural predators except man. One saving grace is that Lionfish are delicious to eat.
This goliath Grouper appeared at the “Chikuzen” wreck dive again with 47’ Catamaran EXTA-SEA’s Austrian guests… To lend some scale, the remora trailing below is about a foot long
Just a random, shallow dive in Great Harbor, BVI – Photo courtesy of 47′ S/Y Caribbean Dream
Anja from the Irwin 68′ ketch ELEKTRA caught one of her charter guests discovering this submerged canon.
Jacks, Sargent Majors, and Yellow Tail Snapper hanging at the Indians. Come back and hang with them on Catsy!
Mike and Lesley aboard the 47′ catamaran EXTA-SEA arrived at the Baths at 7am and were greeted by this dolphin who spent 45min playing with their Austrian guests – The guests said it was an awesome experience. Exta-Sea carries scuba gear for certified guests.
Like a fish in a corn maze? Richard and Jan aboard the 54′ Sovereign sloop SCORPIO supplied us with this “amazing” coral image.
Denizens of the Deep?!? Richard and Jan aboard the 54′ Sovereign sloop SCORPIO provided us with this handsome Spotted Eagle Ray.
“Explore the fascinating life under the sea in the British Virgin Islands this winter. Yachts can anchor right by the coral reefs, where it is not necessary to have scuba gear to enjoy the sights. Picture yourself! Myriads of colorful fish dart in and out of brain coral – shafts of light illuminate waving sea fans – the white sand of the ocean floor is rippled by the passing waves. You are in a fantasy world of silence and buoyancy where color and movement take the place of sound and weight.” – Julie P. Nicholson
Kids hanging on the line in Little Harbour, Peter Island, BVI. The water is 81 degrees and cleaner and clearer than any pool! Stunning! Photo courtesy of the 62’ Catamaran CATSY.
A really fun water sport is free-diving. You put on mask, snorkle and fins, and while one person drives the dinghy, the other person snorkels and swims along the surface of the water until he finds a conch, at which time he dives down 15 feet, holding his breath, picks it up and puts it in the dinghy. Anybody watching Survivor tonight? Photo courtesy of the48′ Sloop STORM PETREL
The Virgin Islands offer good family value!
Come experience it all – and more! – aboard a Nicholson Charter Yacht this Winter!
Let original Nicholson brokers Shelby Nicholson, Sylvia Weston and Julie Nicholson arrange a fine cruise for you! These fine yachts will not be available much longer.
