Chimney

Best months: Dec–Apr

Protected Area

The Dogs

Why dive here

With 449+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales and eagle rays - Chimney offers some of Virgin Gorda & Anegada's richest wall diving. Water ranges 27-30°C, warmest August, September, October.

Best timeDec–Apr

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Blacktip Reef Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales and Eagle Rays · 449+ species recorded

Water27-30°C · warmest August, September, October

CharacterWall dive

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Chimney, tucked away in the Dog Islands, feels a bit like a secret handshake among divers. We love this site for its playful topography, a real contrast to some of the deeper, more serious walls in the BVI. Dropping down, you’re greeted by this narrow slot, maybe two divers wide, that descends gently. Light filters down in shimmering shafts, illuminating schools of tiny silversides that flicker like scattered glitter. Our favourite part is navigating the actual 'chimney' itself, a vertical swim-through that starts at about 10 meters and opens out onto a sandy patch at 15 meters. It’s not a dark crawl, more like a natural skylight, and we often find ourselves pausing to watch the Red Clingfish clinging upside down to the rock, or spotting a shy Long-snout Seahorse camouflaged on the gorgonians. Keep an eye out for Dusky Jawfish peeking from their burrows in the sand flats just outside the main structure. It’s a site that suits divers who enjoy a bit of exploration and don't mind a leisurely pace; it's less about big pelagics and more about the smaller, intricate reef life. Bring a good torch to really bring out the vivid purples and oranges inside the crevices.