About RMS Rhone
The RMS Rhone is the signature wreck of the British Virgin Islands and one of the most famous wreck dives in the Caribbean. The Royal Mail Steamer sank in 1867 during a hurricane off Salt Island and now lies in two main sections, with the bow resting on its side in around 24 meters and the stern in shallower water. The wreck is remarkably intact and has become an artificial reef, encrusted with corals and sponges and patrolled by turtles, barracuda and large schools of snapper and grunts. Divers can still see the propeller, the cannon and the famous lucky porthole. The site is part of the Rhone National Marine Park, so mooring buoys are used and the wreck is well protected. Its combination of history, easy depths and abundant marine life makes it a must-dive on any BVI itinerary.
Highlights
Historic 1867 mail steamer, intact bow and stern sections, lucky porthole, cannon and propeller, turtles, barracuda and big schools of snapper
Season calendar
Best months to dive here
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Excellent
Good
Off-Season
Dive site facts: RMS Rhone
- Depth
- 6–24 m
- Current
- No current
- Entry
- Liveaboard only
- Level
- Beginner
- Dive type
- Wreck, Reef
- Region / port
- British Virgin Islands
- Coordinates
- 18.3686° N, 64.5356° W
Conditions & Currents
Currents at the Rhone are usually mild, and visibility typically ranges from 15 to 30 meters. The site is reached by boat on fixed moorings inside the marine park, and conditions are comfortable for most certification levels. Dive profiles here run between roughly 6 and 24 metres, so plan your gas and no-decompression limits around the deeper part of the site. It is usually briefed as a dive for beginner divers. The site is reached by liveaboard, so entries are run from the tender or straight off the back deck. Tide, wind and season all shift the picture from day to day, so the crew's briefing on the boat always overrides any general description.
Why dive RMS Rhone from a liveaboard?
RMS Rhone is one of British Virgin Islands's signature dive sites. A liveaboard sleeps you on the water and puts you in the water for three to four guided dives per day, including dawn and night dives that day-boat operators rarely offer. You skip the daily commute back to port and reach quieter, less-crowded sites in the same region on a single trip.
Below are the liveaboards that include RMS Rhone on their British Virgin Islands itineraries.
Liveaboards diving RMS Rhone
These liveaboards may visit RMS Rhone on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.
All Star Cuan Law
Virgin Islands
20 guests31.8 m
$564/day
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© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Blonde Rock
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Blonde Rock is an offshore seamount between Salt Island and Dead Chest Island, rising from deep water to within about 5 meters of the surface.
- Suitable for
- Intermediate
- Current
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- Access
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- Depth
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- Theme
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© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Vanishing Rock
British Virgin Islands
Vanishing Rock is a submerged pinnacle off Salt Island whose tip almost breaks the surface at low tide.
- Suitable for
- Intermediate
- Current
- Mild
- Access
- Liveaboard only
- Depth
- 5–25 m
- Theme
- Pinnacle / Reef