When to go
Best Time to Dive the BVI Month by Month
The best time to dive the BVI depends on what matters most to you: the calmest seas, the warmest water or the liveliest season. The good news is that the islands are diveable all year.
- 78-84°Fwater temperature
- 60-100 fttypical visibility
The BVI diving seasons
The British Virgin Islands have a warm, tropical climate with only small changes in temperature through the year. What changes more is the wind, the swell and the risk of tropical storms. Here is how a year of diving looks.
December to April: peak season
Winter is the busiest time to visit, with dry weather and lots of sunshine. The trade winds are at their strongest, especially around Christmas and January, when the so-called Christmas winds can make some crossings bumpy. North swells from Atlantic storms can roll in and affect north-facing sites such as the Dogs and parts of Virgin Gorda, while the sheltered sites south of Tortola, including the RMS Rhone wreck, usually stay diveable. Water is at its coolest, around 77 to 79°F, in February and March. Book boats and accommodation early.
May to July: calm and warm
Many divers think this is the best time to dive the BVI. The winds ease, the seas settle, the water warms to around 80 to 82°F and there are fewer visitors. Exposed sites such as the Chikuzen and Santa Monica Rock are more often diveable. Hurricane season officially starts on 1 June, but early-season storms are less common.
August to November: hurricane season
The water is at its warmest, up to about 84°F, and on good days the sea can be glassy. But this is the heart of the Atlantic hurricane season, which peaks from mid-August to mid-October. Many businesses close for part of September and October. If you travel then, buy travel insurance that covers storms, stay flexible and watch the forecasts.
| Season | Water | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Dec-Apr | 77-80°F | Peak season, strong trade winds, occasional north swell |
| May-Jul | 80-82°F | Calmer seas, fewer people, start of hurricane season |
| Aug-Nov | 82-84°F | Warmest water, hurricane risk, some businesses closed |
Under the surface
Visibility, wetsuits and life
Visibility
Typically 60 to 100 feet. Heavy rain can cloud the water near shore for a day or two, and swell can stir up sand at shallow sites.
What to wear
A 3 mm wetsuit suits most divers all year. Some divers who feel the cold prefer 5 mm in late winter; others dive in a rash guard in late summer.
Marine life
Turtles, rays and reef fish are around all year. Humpback whales pass through the region in winter and are sometimes seen or heard from boats.
Our pick for divers
For the best mix of calm water, warm temperatures and quieter dive sites, aim for May, June or early July. You will have the best chance of diving the exposed sites, the boats are less crowded, and the risk of a storm is still fairly low.
If you can only travel in winter, you will still dive well: the classic sites around Salt Island, Peter Island and Norman Island are sheltered from the north and dive in most conditions.
Sailing and diving
Many divers visit on a charter yacht. Winter's steady trade winds are great for sailing but can make some moorings rolly. Calmer summer weather suits a dive-focused charter. Our guide to BVI yacht charter diving explains how to combine the two.
Whatever month you choose, see our list of BVI dive sites to match sites to the conditions.
Best time to dive FAQ
What is the water temperature in the BVI?
About 77 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit in late winter, rising to about 84 degrees in late summer and early autumn.
When is hurricane season in the BVI?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, with the most activity from mid-August to mid-October.
What is the worst month to dive the BVI?
September carries the highest storm risk, and many businesses close for part of it. If you go, stay flexible and buy travel insurance.
A few more seasonal notes
Rain. The BVI's rainy months are usually late summer and autumn, with short, heavy showers rather than all-day rain. Runoff can cloud the water close to shore for a day or two, while offshore sites stay clearer.
Crowds. The Christmas and New Year holidays and the spring break weeks are the busiest times of the year. Popular sites such as the Rhone, the Indians and the Baths can be crowded by mid-morning, so start early.
Events. The islands host sailing regattas and festivals through the year, which fill anchorages and accommodation. Check the dates before you book if you want a quieter trip.
Travel insurance. Whatever the month, insurance that covers trip cancellation and diving is worth having, especially in hurricane season.
Pick your sites
See which BVI dive sites suit each season and skill level.