Published: Friday, January 16, 2004 at:11:26 PM




Did You Know?

We are often asked on the phone, and at shows: how’s the snorkeling and the scuba diving in the BVI and at Bitter End? Here’s the answer!

The January/February 2001 issue of Rodale’s Scuba Diving Magazine ranked the “Top 100” worldwide scuba diving and snorkeling destinations—as rated by their readers.

And, in addition to being the “Best Place to Snorkel in the Caribbean/Atlantic,” the BVI scored top five placings in a number of important categories, ranking 5th amongst those with the “Healthiest Marine Environments,” 5th “Best Beginner Diving,” 2nd “Best Macro Life,” and 3rd “Best Wreck Diving.”

For the “Best Overall Destination,” the British Virgin Islands finished 3rd, while still topping perennial favorites Bonaire, Belize, the Turks & Caicos, and Grand Cayman (quite good company).

Perhaps the best kudos of all was the top award for “Best Places You’d Return To.” Clearly people liked what they saw the first time!

Considered by many to be the best place to snorkel in the top-rated BVI, the Bitter End Yacht Club offers as many as 19 captained snorkel excursions every week—no resort or watersports center even comes close. We feature everything from one and two hour trips to nearby Statia Reef, to full-day visits to Anegada, Norman Island, and the Baths, among others.

Of course if you prefer snorkeling on your own, just sign out a Boston Whaler power skiff and cruise out to Colquhoun Reef or Statia Reef. There’s nearly 4 miles of pristine reef within a 20 minute motorboat ride of Bitter End.

For scuba divers, Bitter End-based Kilbrides Underwaters Tours is a leader amongst Caribbean operators. They offer resort courses, daily one and two tank dives, plus complete certification for those who wish. Experience wall dives, reef dives, wreck dives, all in the waters of the BVI—one of the best dive and snorkel destinations in the world!

FLASH: This just in. The June/July 2001 issue of Caribbean Travel & Life ranks Loblolly Bay (Anegada), and the Baths (Virgin Gorda) amongst top 20 “off-the-beach” snorkel sites. Of course, BEYC has a weekly excursion to each site!