Take A Trip To Wonderland: Diving Ginger Island In The British Virgin Islands

Completely uninhabited but for its wildlife, Ginger Island is a hilly, privately owned piece of paradise which is located between Tortola and Cooper Island.   Shaped somewhat like a wishbone, it is surrounded by three very popular dive sites.  With excellent visibility at about 100 feet most of the time, and incredibly healthy coral formations, this is one you’ve got to dive when you visit BVI.  Let’s take a quick peek at the wonders that await.

Alice in Wonderland 

Located off Ginger Island’s south shore, and one of the most popular dive sites in the British Virgin Islands, Alice in Wonderland is a spur and groove coral reef that begins at about 35 feet beneath the surface and extends to maximum depth at just 70 feet.  The site gets its name from the many huge mushroom-shaped coral heads that are reminiscent of the scene that greeted Lewis Carroll’s Alice when she arrived in Wonderland, and as there are fantastic creatures living here, just as there were on the other side of the famous rabbit hole, you’ll be inclined to agree!  Look for spotted moray eels and big lobsters, exceptionally large pufferfish, spotted eagle rays, stingrays, hawksbill turtles, and jacks.  Peek beneath the ledges, where nurse sharks sleep, and don’t forget to look out into the blue, since you can see some large pelagics passing from time to time. 

Besides the mushroom heads, there are rocks and ridges, sandy-bottomed canyons, and huge sponges that hold surprises galore.  The site is suitable for all divers, and is good for at least two or three dives. 

Ginger Steps 

With some of the healthiest coral formations you’ll find, the Ginger Steps is a paradise for photographers.  Featuring huge ledges that begin in the shallows and cascade gracefully to 100 feet beneath the surface, the reef is composed of three major “steps” as well as brain and star coral formations that attract all sorts of tiny creatures.  Larger animals are here in abundance as well – look for eagle rays and turtles, pompano, jacks, and the occasional pod of dolphins that sometimes visit.  The tops of the steps are covered in lovely sea fans and tube sponges, where you can find squirrelfish, damsels, and other tropicals just waiting to capture your attention.  Suitable for all divers, the Ginger Steps site is simply amazing. 

Alice’s Backside 

Also known as Ginger’s Patch, Alice’s Backside is located on the north side of the island, and is usually calm even when other sites are blown out.  Maximum depth here is just 60 feet, and the magnificent reef, which is composed of a variety of coral species, starts in just 15 feet of water.  Watch for stingrays, small nurse sharks, and the occasional juvenile reef shark in the sand beneath the reef, and look for well-hidden octopus, lobsters, and turtles among the many colorful fish that inhabit the site, which is suitable for all divers. 

You can visit Ginger Island as part of a standard or custom charter itinerary with many of the British Virgin Islands dive operators.  As these sites and others nearby are in demand, be sure to book your holiday well in advance.  While last-minute bookings are sometimes available, you don’t want to risk missing out on your own personal trip to Wonderland.