Angelfish Reef - Salt Island & Cooper Island

Angelfish Reef is one of those sites we always try to hit when we're in the BVI. Forget the name, it's not just about angelfish here, though you'll spot plenty of queens and greys weaving through the coral heads. We love it for the sheer density of the smaller stuff. Think emerald sleepers flicking across the sand, tiny bearded gobies peeking out from their holes, and if you’re lucky, an Atlantic shrimp goby doing its meticulous garden work. The reef itself is a series of low coral mounds and sandy patches, dropping to a comfortable 17 metres. It's a relaxed drift, generally, and that lack of strong current lets you really take your time examining the cracks and crevices. We often find comb groupers hunkered down, and the sunray lettuce coral formations are surprisingly intricate, catching the light in a beautiful way. Keep an eye out for long-snout seahorses here; they blend in incredibly well, so a slow, patient approach is key. This is a brilliant spot for macro photographers and anyone who enjoys a leisurely poke around rather than a high-speed tour.

Location: Salt Island & Cooper Island, British Virgin Islands, Caribbean
Coordinates: 18.309600, -64.628200
Type: reef
Maximum Depth: 5-20m

Marine Protected Area: Norman Island

Best Time to Dive in Salt Island & Cooper Island

The warmest water temperatures in Salt Island & Cooper Island occur in January, averaging 27.1°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 27.1°C (air: 25.5°C)
February: 27.1°C (air: 25.1°C)
March: 27.1°C (air: 25.2°C)
April: 27.1°C (air: 25.7°C)
May: 27.1°C (air: 26.8°C)
June: 27.1°C (air: 27.6°C)
July: 27.1°C (air: 27.8°C)
August: 27.1°C (air: 28.1°C)
September: 27.1°C (air: 28.3°C)
October: 27.1°C (air: 28.0°C)
November: 27.1°C (air: 27.1°C)
December: 27.1°C (air: 26.3°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Salt Island & Cooper Island

Nearest Dive Centres to Angelfish Reef

Marine Life in Salt Island & Cooper Island

Home to 504 recorded species including 410 reef fish, 39 hard corals, 13 sharks & rays, 9 other, 7 whales & dolphins, 6 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
Massive Starlet Coral (Siderastrea siderea) - Hard Corals
Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
Great star coral (Montastraea cavernosa) - Hard Corals
Parrotfish (Thalassoma bifasciatum) - Reef Fish
Finger Coral (Porites porites) - Hard Corals
Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
Yellowhead Wrasse (Halichoeres garnoti) - Reef Fish
Lettuce Coral (Agaricia agaricites) - Hard Corals
Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
Bicolor Damselfish (Stegastes partitus) - Reef Fish
Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
Sammy Johnson (Scarus taeniopterus) - Reef Fish
French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
Longspine Squirrelfish (Holocentrus rufus) - Reef Fish
Butterfly (Chaetodon capistratus) - Reef Fish
Sharpnose Pufferfish (Canthigaster rostrata) - Reef Fish
Blushing Star Coral (Stephanocoenia intersepta) - Hard Corals
Barred Hamlet (Hypoplectrus puella) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Angelfish Reef

Based on average water temperature of 27.1°C.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories