Scrub Island

Diamond Reef (Great Camanoe) – 20-40 ft Novice

Marina Cay to Scrub Island. Located 2 minutes boat ride away from Scrub Island, this site is named as a result of a diver losing a diamond ring here about 10 years ago (never found!). The reef itself is a small “wall” some 200 yards long, running from 15 ft in depth to a sandy bottom at 40 ft, with a profusion of both hard and soft corals and heavily populated with tropical fish. You may see Tomtates, Sgt. Majors, Grey Snapper and Cero Mackerel, not to mention the occasional stingray and turtle. This site is ideal for all levels of divers and snorkelers, accessible in nearly all weather.

Dip ‘N’ Scrub (Scrub Island) – 20-60 ft Novice / Intermediate

Located on the South side and in the middle of Scrub Island and named for the dip in the hills behind the site as seen from Marina Cay (”see that dip in Scrub? It’s right there!!”). From the mooring, a wall runs Eastward, dropping from 25 ft to 60 ft, with large mushroom-shaped and pillar coral formations, and plenty of soft corals. Look for schools of Creole Wrasse and Blue Chromis, with the occasional large lobster and nurse shark.

Shark Point (Scrub Island) – 40-70 ft Intermediate / Advanced

Located on the North-East corner of Scrub Island and so-called because there really are sharks there! From the mooring, head East to a ledge system at 60 ft, which is loaded with snappers, angelfish, grunts, and lobsters. Keep one eye to the open ocean for sharks, rays, and Atlantic Spadefish. Working your way back to the boat along the tip of the island, you will pass through canyons, crevices and explore small caves – look out for the resident school of tarpon! Due to the current, which often runs away from the boat, this is an advanced dive, not to be attempted in inclement weather.

Lee Bay (Great Camanoe) – 50 ft Novice

Located on the South side of Lee Bay, the highlight of this site is the “grotto”; located close to the island, in about 20 ft of water, the grotto appears to have been formed by lava flow. In its nooks and crannies are spotted lobsters, banded coral shrimp, and schools of glassy sweepers. A school of fry sits at the top, basking in the “cathedral light” as it filters through the lava flow. On top of the reef, sink-holes allow the diver to drop 10 ft down into the reef itself, into a mini-maze.

Towing Point (Great Camanoe) – 70 ft Intermediate / Advanced

Located on the North-West tip of Great Camanoe, a profusion of large boulders, covered with soft corals, leads to a sandy bottom. Around the point, keep an eye to the open ocean, as there is a good chance of seeing pelagics. It is possible to pass between the jagged rock (standing out of the water at the very end of the island) and the mainland for an interesting and exciting shortcut back to the boat. This is an advanced dive, due to the current that usually runs around the point and away from the boat.

Monkey Point (Guana Island) – 30 ft — Snorkel Site

Not recommended in the high season due to heavy boat traffic, but in the summer months, this can be an interesting site, teeming with fish life. In addition to a couple of small caves, there are schools of baitfish, often with mackerel and large tarpon feeding.

Grand Central Station (Guana Island) – 80 ft Advanced

Off the Northern coast of Guana Island, this site is an underwater cavern system. The cavern is very large, with one entrance at 60 ft and another close to the surface. Inside look out for the occasional turtle or Goliath Grouper.

Brewers Bay East (Tortola, North-side) – 40-70 ft Intermediate

On the Eastern point of Brewers Bay, the huge boulders top-side are replicated underwater, creating swim-throughs filled with baitfish and glassy sweepers. In the summer months, when the fry are thick, tarpon are regular visitors. Follow the boulder trail to the sandy bottom at 70 ft, where you can find large Southern Stingrays.

Brewers Bay West (Tortola, North-side) – 70-100 ft Intermediate/Advanced

From the mooring at the Western corner of Brewer’s Bay, you can meander North and West through numerous underwater pinnacles and crevices that, during the summer months, are packed with baitfish, mackerel and tarpon. 200 yards north of this mooring lies Brewers Bay Pinnacle which comes to within 15 ft of the surface and drops to 90 ft. Good opportunities exist at these sites for seeing pelagics, especially eagle rays and the occasional manta ray.

Continue diving at ourĀ Ginger Island Dive Sites!