About The Caves
The Caves are three shallow caverns in the cliffs on the south side of Norman Island, famous as the treasure caves of Treasure Island lore. Sunlight streams into the caverns, illuminating sponges, cup corals and schools of silversides. The site is very shallow and calm, making it perfect for beginners, snorkelers and photographers. It is one of the most atmospheric easy dives in the British Virgin Islands.
Highlights
Three shallow sunlit cavernssponges, cup corals and silversidesTreasure Island historyperfect for beginners and snorkelers
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: The Caves
- Depth
- 3–12 m
- Current
- No current
- Entry
- Liveaboard only
- Level
- Beginner
- Dive type
- Cave & cavern, Reef
- Region / port
- British Virgin Islands
- Coordinates
- 18.3167° N, 64.6250° W
Conditions & Currents
Guides normally rate the water movement here as next to no current. Dive profiles here run between roughly 3 and 12 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 The Caves from a liveaboard?
The Caves 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 The Caves on their British Virgin Islands itineraries.
Liveaboards diving The Caves
These liveaboards may visit The Caves on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.
All Star Cuan Law
Virgin Islands
20 guests32 m
Dive sites similar to The Caves
Same character, same waters — six more sites divers love for the exact same reasons.Compare seasons, access and liveaboard routes — then pick the site that fits your trip best.
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Santa Monica Rock
British Virgin Islands
Santa Monica Rock is an exposed offshore seamount south of Norman Island that rises from deep water to within about 10 meters of the surface.
- Suitable for
- Advanced
- Current
- Strong
- Access
- Liveaboard only
- Depth
- 10–30 m
- Theme
- Pinnacle / Reef
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Spyglass Wall
British Virgin Islands
Spyglass Wall drops along the northwest corner of Norman Island, the island said to have inspired Treasure Island.
- Suitable for
- Intermediate
- Current
- Mild
- Access
- Liveaboard only
- Depth
- 8–30 m
- Theme
- Wall / Reef
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
The Indians
British Virgin Islands
The Indians are a group of jagged rock pinnacles rising out of the water near Norman Island, and they are among the most popular dive and snorkel sites in the British Virgin Islands.
- Suitable for
- Beginner
- Current
- No current
- Access
- Liveaboard only
- Depth
- 3–15 m
- Theme
- Reef