TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Onshore snorkeling on Tortola?

Getting into the final stages of planning for an ad-hoc late Feb BVI vacation...I'm a injury plagued diver so probably best to limit my water time on this trip to snorkeling (very strong collegiate swimmer). I know VG has good snorkeling and I love the island (I could never get enough of Leverick's Roti :)) , but villa availability (and curiosity) has me focusing on Tortola.

Are there good onshore snorkeling spots in Tortola that aren't overrun with pod people? Don't mind rocky entries (have my diving boots and fins) and happy to have ideas PMed to me if you prefer not to give up your secret spot. I will definitely be booking a boat charter (or 2) to go to the Normans, Indians, etc...as I enjoyed those trips in the past. But days spent driving (top down, natch) or wading out to/fro a quiet snorkeling spot (broken up by a shaded lunch break) is pretty much my idea of nirvana.

Thanks!
Techie

It's been a long time, but I enjoyed snorkeling the reef at Cane Garden Bay. Even when the beach was crowded, very few people went out to the reef, possibly because it's a bit of a swim.

Shortest distance to the reef is from the extreme southern end of the beach, but it's rocky there. It's an easier, sandy entry/exit if you move a bit away from the end, but then the swim is a little further.

I went out solo, but that probably wasn't a great idea. It's some distance from shore, and you never know what can happen.

Dan

Thanks Dan. If I know I'll be a ways from shore, I make sure to wear a very brightly colored rash shirt and often tie on an inflatable sausage. Honestly, I should grab my PLB, but I think it's buried in 'boat bins' in my garage.

Head to Brewers Bay just East of Cane Garden Bay. It has a easy beach entry and good snorkeling over a large reef area.

It's been years but I second George's answer.

The reef at Smuggler's Cove is an easy snorkel from the beach although it gets shallow as you go further out. I second CGB.The west end of the beach enter the water by CGB Beach House and its quite good and easy. In the summertime the point at Little Apple Bay is worth checking out and, for the more adventurous, the reef and the reef in front of where Bomba's used to be.

Diamond Reef is one of my faves. Accessible from Tortola if you can grab a shuttle from Trellis Bay to Scrub, then swim, SUP or kayak over....the reef starts about 200 yards from the Scrub Island marina.

Check the current before committing to the swimming option :-)

Lots of boat traffic near Diamond reef. Be careful!
G

Probably would avoid Diamond Reef going solo (not keen about being swept out to sea)....but I love the other suggestions.

Manpot, curious why Bomba is for the adventurous? Is it just because one has to hike/swim in...or because of potentially dangerous surge/current situations?

Thank you all for the suggestions.

I was referring to the reef further west on the bay , basically in front of my place. Its just further out and very doable with no surf Bombas is easy entry just to the east of where the shack used to be..concrete pilings now..

Thank you. I'm a strong swimmer so I don't mind distance as long as there is little risk of current or riptides sweeping me out to sea

Can you operate a motor boat? You might take a look at Great Camanoe, home of Diamond Reef. The houses come with dinghies, and it's easy striking distance to Guana and other good snorkeling spots.

I can...I have a 26 ft Cobalt at home. But Camanoe doesn't have a good selection of small villas.

I'll second Manpot's west end of Little Apple Bay is great. The area off of Bomba's (is it even there?) is also good when the swell is down and there's no surfing. Frenchman's Cay, go to the resort, park by the tennis courts, and enter thru their beach area, go to the left, you can go around the point and exit on their little pier. Keep in mind, the last time I was there was 2017 so the hurricane may have changed some things. The other end of the island, Long Bay East has great snorkeling at the west end. Josiah's Bay go out to the right and follow the coast. Back to west end, at Smugglers the reef right there is pretty beat, by there's still plenty of fish around on a good day. If you head towards the point to the right there's a lot of interesting areas. God, I miss Tortola. Can't wait to get back.

Techie, sent you a pm.

RatmansWife, read and returned PM. Thanks