Coral Gardens

Coral Gardens at Great Dog Island in the British Virgin Islands is a reef dive site that also incorporates an artificial wreck: the Atlantic Air BVI's Shorts 360 aircraft, which crash-landed elsewhere, was salvaged and deliberately placed here as part of a local artificial reef program. The site runs from 15 to 45 feet (roughly 4.5 to 13.5 metres), with the bottom made up of a vast garden of coral heads interspersed with sandy patches between them. Divers can swim through the aircraft wreck as well as explore the surrounding reef structure.

The coral heads host turtles and lobsters, and hermit crabs roam the sandy areas between them. Barracuda are regularly encountered here, and the site rewards a slow, methodical approach for spotting the smaller critters sheltering within the reef.

The site is rated novice to beginner level, making it accessible to new divers. Its relatively shallow profile and relaxed character suit those who want to take their time exploring the reef rather than cover distance.