The BVI's signature dive
RMS Rhone Wreck Dive Salt Island, BVI
The RMS Rhone wreck dive is the reason many divers first come to the British Virgin Islands. A Victorian steamship, torn in two by a hurricane, now lies in clear water off Salt Island, covered in coral and full of fish.
- 1867year she sank
- 20-80 ftstern to bow
- 2 divesto see it properly
History
How the Rhone was lost
The Rhone was a steamship of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, launched in 1865 and built to carry mail, passengers and cargo between Britain and the Caribbean. At around 310 feet she was one of the most modern ships of her day, with both sails and a steam engine driving a single large propeller.
On 29 October 1867 she was taking on coal and supplies at Peter Island when a hurricane arrived with little warning. After her anchor was lost in the first half of the storm, her captain tried to run for open sea through the channel between Salt Island and Peter Island. When the wind swung round in the second half of the storm, it drove her onto the rocks at Black Rock Point on Salt Island. The cold sea hit her hot boilers, she broke apart and sank within minutes. Most of the people on board died; only a couple of dozen survived.
Today
A wreck turned marine park
Over 150 years the iron and brass of the Rhone have become a reef. Orange cup coral, sponges, sea fans and hard corals grow over the hull, and grunts, snappers, sergeant majors, angelfish, barracuda and the odd turtle and eagle ray live around it.
The wreck and the waters around it became the Rhone Marine Park, managed by the BVI National Parks Trust. Boats tie up to park moorings, and nothing may be taken from the wreck. The Rhone also had a career in film: underwater scenes for the 1977 movie The Deep were shot on it, which helped make it famous with divers.
For other wrecks in the territory, see our guide to BVI wreck diving.
Layout
Bow and stern: two different dives
The ship broke in two when she sank, so most boats dive the deep bow first and the shallow stern second.
The bow section (around 70 to 80 feet)
The forward part of the ship lies on its side on the sand and is the most intact section. Divers can swim through the open hull, past the ribs and decking, with light streaming in. Look for the foremast and the bowsprit lying along the bottom. Because of the depth, your time here is limited, and many divers use nitrox to stretch it.
The stern section (around 20 to 50 feet)
The stern is broken up and scattered over a wider area in shallower water. Its highlights are the huge bronze propeller and the long propeller shaft, a brass porthole that divers call the "lucky porthole", the engine parts and the gearbox. It is shallow enough for long dives, new divers and snorkelers on a calm day.
RMS Rhone at a glance
| Location | Lee Bay, off Black Rock Point at the west end of Salt Island, south of Tortola |
|---|---|
| Sank | 29 October 1867, in a hurricane |
| Depth | About 20 feet at the stern to about 80 feet at the bow |
| Level | Stern: all certified divers. Bow: comfortable, experienced divers; an advanced or deep certification is often asked for |
| Protected by | The Rhone Marine Park (BVI National Parks Trust) |
| Best for | Wreck history, coral growth, fish life and photography |
How to dive the Rhone
Almost every dive operator in the BVI runs trips to the Rhone, often as a two-tank morning: the bow for the first, deeper dive and the stern for the second. Boats also visit from private and charter yachts; see BVI yacht charter diving for how pickups and park moorings work.
Currents in the channel between Salt and Peter Island can be strong, and they change with the tide. Operators time their dives for the best conditions and brief you on the plan. If you dive from your own boat, ask locally first, use only the park moorings and fly a dive flag.
Tips for a better Rhone dive
- Dive the bow early in the day, when the light inside the hull is best and the site is less busy.
- Take a nitrox course before your trip if you can. It adds bottom time on the bow.
- Keep your fins off the wreck. The coral is fragile and the iron is sharp.
- Leave everything you find. Removing anything from the wreck is against the park rules.
- Snorkelers can see the shallow stern parts from the surface on a calm, clear day.
Is this your first trip? Our overview of BVI dive sites shows what else is close by, including Painted Walls and Blonde Rock, both a few minutes from the Rhone.
RMS Rhone wreck dive FAQ
How deep is the RMS Rhone wreck?
The stern section starts at about 20 feet and the bow section lies at about 80 feet. Most of the stern is shallower than 50 feet.
Can beginners dive the Rhone?
Newly certified divers can enjoy the shallow stern section with a guide. The deeper bow is better saved for when you are comfortable at depth; many operators ask for an advanced or deep certification.
Can you snorkel the RMS Rhone?
Parts of the stern are visible from the surface on calm, clear days, but the wreck is best seen on scuba.
Why did the Rhone sink?
She was caught by a hurricane on 29 October 1867 while at Peter Island. Trying to reach open sea, she was driven onto the rocks off Salt Island and broke apart.
More wrecks to dive
The Rhone is just the start. See the Chikuzen, Wreck Alley and the shipwrecks of Anegada.