Diving - Coral Gardens

DEPTH: 15-35 feet (5-11 M)

LEVEL: NOVICE

ANCHORAGE: DEAD MAN'S BAY

Coral Gardens is a friendly site on the northeast side of Dead Chest Island. There are scores of large coral mounds capped with beautiful and healthy formations of brain, star and sheet corals. Filefishes, chub, large snappers and barracuda patrol the midwater realm, while goatfishes, grunts, damselfishes and squirrelfishes inhabit the reef structure along with large sea fans and beautiful gorgonians. Numerous overhangs host brightly colored encrusting sponges and jawfish live in burrows in the sand. Closer to shore there is a long overhang. Good luck trying to find the hidden anchor. Hint: it's near a flat tunnel. While most BVI dive sites consist primarily of coralfestooned rock (fascinating though that topography may be), this site is rich in massive luxuriant coral heads - a true coral garden. You can snorkel at this site, but only on very calm days. Watch out for boat traffic.

Text extracted from The Guide to Diving and Snorkeling in the British Virgin Islands by Jeff Williams, Ria O'Hagan.