Dive BVI Has been Taking People Diving since 1975
Dive BVI has quite a story. Opening its doors in 1975, it is the BVI’s oldest dive firm still in operation.
When Dive BVI took out its first diver fifty years ago, the BVI was largely undeveloped, a barely known destination where old men still rode a donkey to market and cattle and sheep roamed the roads. But with some of the Caribbean’s best sailing waters and a myriad of breathtaking dive sites, the BVI was a destination on the threshold of discovery.
Joe Giacinto, Dive BVI’s founder, was one of the visionaries who saw that there was no better place to be than the British Virgin Islands and that Virgin Gorda, a unique island of sunlit beaches and impressive granite boulders was an ideal location for a fledgling dive operation. Joe learned to dive while in the US Marines and in the early 70s went onto get his NAUI and PADI dive certifications. He found his way to the British Virgin Islands when he came to visit his brother Mike at Marina Cay a small island resort that he ran with his wife Rosemary.
In 1975 legendary diver Bert Kilbride (known for his shipwreck diving off Anegada) started a small dive operation on Virgin Gorda, and that same year, offered it to Joe, who happily acquired it.
Joe sold Dive BVI to one of his customers in 2007, and Jeff McNutt and his wife Casey, divers from Texas stayed on board to run the firm’s day to day operations as general managers.
For Jeff and Casey, coming to the BVI for the first time in 2002 was kismet. They had been working for a dive shop in Dallas and brought a group down to the BVI for a dive trip. A birthday sailing trip to the BVI clinched it and they’ve been working with Dive BVI since 2003.
Jeff marvels, “I came down for a year and kept on extending it. It’s now been 22 years”.
Over the years Dive BVI has continually expanded and now has two locations: the original in the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour and a second at Scrub Island, a private island resort off Tortola’s eastern end. The Yacht Harbour location offers two diving trips (two tank morning dives and a 1 tank afternoon dive), as well as snorkel trips, private charters, and excursions. Those who have never dived before can try their introductory “Try Scuba Diving” classes. The location also features a fully stocked store offering scuba and snorkeling equipment (for sale and rental), and casual apparel among other items.
The Scrub Island location has a fully stocked dive shop and offers most of the services offered at its VG Yacht Harbour location including dive tours, snorkeling tours, and day trips. Yachtsmen anchoring in Trellis Bay can also refill their own tanks there.They have two 36 ft Newton Dive Boats and a 32 ft World Cat power catamaran. These boats are set up for diving, snorkeling and island adventures and maintained at a high level of professionalism.
What sets BVI diving apart from other locations? It is the variety of dive sites”, explained Jeff. We have sites that all divers can enjoy whether they are beginners, intermediate or expert divers.”
“The worst day of diving in Virgin Gorda is ten times better than the best day in Texas,” said Jeff wryly. For Jeff, the BVI has the entire package: “It’s not just the underwater beauty,” he added, “it’s the beauty of the islands topside as well. The people are what makes it all so great.”
His favorite dive is the RMS Rhone. The historic shipwreck off the coast of Salt Island sank in a hurricane in 1867 with just a handful of survivors. “It never gets tired or boring,” he said. Now encrusted in corals and teeming with marine life, the wreck is the BVI’s most famous dive site. “I’ve probably dived it 800 or 900 times, and I still love it. It is a living, breathing dive site. It has history, drama and a heartbreaking story,” noted Jeff.
As for other favorite dive sites: “it is hard to choose,” he mused. One of them is Joe’s Cave at The Dogs, which Joe Giacinto discovered years back. “It has a lot of topography: big boulders, cool passages and marine life like octopus and rays.” He likes Cistern Point off Cooper Island, and the Rhone of course. Another favorite is Ginger Step located off the southwest side of Ginger Island, it is known for its distinctive three-tiered wall that plunges from the shallows to about 90-100 feet and great visibility.
Over the years, Jeff has taught people of all ages from the young to the old and has many anecdotes to tell. One of them, he recounted, is the time he took actress Kate Winslet diving to Joe’s Cave. He described Kate, who was staying on Necker Island, as “a warm and welcoming person and a good diver.” And seemingly, her buoyant personality extended to the water. “In Joe’s Cave, she kept on floating up,” recalled Jeff, who had to pull her down so she wouldn’t hit her head on the top of the cave.
One of Dive BVI’s more unique offerings is its Wreck Divers Society. The society explores the rich maritime history of the British Virgin Islands, allowing divers to learn about the area’s fascinating wreck sites that according to Jeff, tell stories of the past. Each dive offers a unique glimpse into underwater ecosystems, its marine life, and the remnants of shipwrecks that have become artificial reefs. To become a member, you have to have dived all of the BVI wrecks with Dive BVI.
After 50 years, there is a lot to celebrate about diving in the BVI. With a party, and special dive trips among other events, Dive BVI’s 50th celebration will be a great kickoff to the season.
What to expect for the 50th celebration week.
Tuesday, Oct 28th – “Jaws” Movie Night and Pool Party – Virgin Gorda Village
Wednesday, Oct 29th – RMS Rhone 158th Anniversary Dive Trip
Two guided dives to the RMS Rhone – on the 158th anniversary of her sinking.
Thursday, Oct 30th – Pub Quiz
Fun evening of trivia at Chez Bamboo
Friday, Oct 31st – Island Hopper Day Trip
Explore the BVI by boat. Two snorkel stops, lunch at the Willy T, and then Soggy Dollar Bar in Jost van Dyke for the afternoon.
Saturday, Nov 1st – 50th Anniversary Party at Top of the Baths
It’s party time. Celebrate 50 years of Dive BVI! Tere will be music, food and drinks, and a beautiful sunset and reminisces on the company’s past 50 years of operations and future.
Sunday, Nov 2nd – Afternoon Chill at Cooper Island Beach Club
Aday trip to Cooper Island Beach Club. Explore the Rum Bar, swim off the beach and enjoy time with friends at one of Dive BVI’s favorite locations in the BVI.
There will be a 2 tank dive every morning during the week if you want to get out and enjoy some amazing sites as well.
Contact them about special rates at Guavaberry Spring Bay Vacation Homes.
For more infomation on Dive BVI, its 50th anniversary celebration, as well as itsservices, staff and locations go to: https://divebvi.com
Learn more about diving and snorkeling in the BVI at:
