Page 233 - The Virgin Islands
P. 233
GEORGE DOG SEAL DOGS
DOLPHIN ROCKS 30’-50’ (9-15m) Beg. On the north side of George SEAL DOG ISLANDS 20’-80’ (6-18m) Adv. This pinnacle at the edge
Dog diving is done on calm days only. There is a double archway and of the Virgin Islands is good for large pelagic species including mack-
reef with tarpon and barracuda during the summer. erel, Atlantic jacks, kingfish, and eagle rays. The canyons are full of
BRONCO BILLY’S (GEORGE DOG) 15’-50’ (5-15m) Beg.-Adv. corals and tropical fishes.
Named for its undiveable, bouncy winter surge conditions, this site has VIRGIN GORDA
coral ridges and archways, and gulleys. Flashlights illuminate bright MOUNTAIN POINT 20’-70’ (6-21m) Beg. Large coral heads with
red sponges, orange cup corals, and lavender sponges. overhangs rise above the sandy bottom. Grunts, parrotfishes, butter-
THE VISIBLES 10’-80’ (3-24m) Adv. At the SW tip of Cockroach flyfishes, wrasses in their many colors live here. Large tarpon patrol
I., this is an open water pinnacle with gorgonians, eagle rays, turtles, in summer eating fray. The “Cow’s Mouth” is a narrow cut between
sharks, jacks, near island boulders, archways, and tunnels with spong- rocks. Garden eels in poke their skinny bodies out of the sand.
es and corals. PRICKLY PEAR ISLAND NATIONAL PARK 243 acres of hilly island
GREAT DOG are dominated by cacti. However, pristine beaches line the shore, as do
AIRPLANE WRECK 30’-40’ (9-12m) Adv. A fuselage that was sunk white, red and black mangroves, plus four salt ponds. The northern
for a reef sits on sand beyond the coral garden at 40’ (12m) depth. Ma- and eastern shores have superlative beaches, with beautiful swimming
rina/Boat Yard/Food/Music/Lodging/Dive BVI Scuba Shop and snorkeling for boaters who anchor offshore. A trail leads from
CORAL GARDENS 20’-50’ (6-15m) Beg. Large coral formations in- the west shore anchorage over Sand Box Bar and down the slope to
clude star corals, brain corals, gorgonians, tube sponges and sea fans the North Beach, where the cooling tradewinds make for a lovely day.
form a reef for lobsters, blacktip reef sharks and turtles. Southern THE BLINDERS to 35’ (12m) Beg. Huge boulders have soft cor-
stingrays are in the sand. als around and fire coral on top. Divers find overhangs and swim-
throughs and a few hawksbill turtles.
THE CHIMNEY 15’-45’ (5-14m) Beg.-Int. “Chimney” is a slot be- ROUND ROCK DRIFT 20’-40’ (6-12m) Int.-Adv. This is usually a
tween two boulders which rise above the sand and rubble bottom. Big drift dive past boulders with soft corals, colorful sponges and fish, in-
coral heads host lots of friendly fish looking for handouts. Inverte- cluding bar jacks and brown chromis.
brates abound amongst colorful sponges.
