Join REEF’s first-ever land-based Field Survey Trip to Virgin Gorda for the opportunity to learn about Tropical Western Atlantic fish identification while diving the breathtaking underwater caverns and pinnacles of the British Virgin Islands. Giant grouper, eagle rays and flowing schools of glassy sweeper can be sighted throughout the coral gardens, and your fantastic day of diving can be followed by a stroll across the lovely white sand of Spring Bay. Virgin Gorda is an ideal destination for non-diving companions as well, thanks to awe-inspiring sights such as The Baths, a geological wonder comprised of huge granite boulders that create mysterious sheltered grottos and saltwater pools.

**Are you an educator or hold a position that is education oriented? Click here to view the CEDAM scholarship opportunity for this field survey trip and find out if you are eligible to apply.

Cost per Person: $1,587 for double occupancy in a one-bedroom cottage, $2,355 for single occupancy.

What is included: Your package includes 7 nights of accommodation at Guavaberry Spring Bay Suites, 5 days of 2-tank boat dives with Dive BVI, national park fee, daily transportation to and from dive center, daily breakfast and lunch, 10% off Dive BVI retail store, tanks, weights and weight belts.

Additional fees: A REEF Program Fee of $300 per diver will be added to each package to cover the cost of the group leader, seminar, and survey materials. Optional nitrox is available for an additional cost per tank. Ground transfers between airport/ferry/hotel are not included.

Airport/hotel transfer information: Participants may choose to travel to Virgin Gorda via San Juan, Puerto Rico, or St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. If traveling via San Juan, participants will fly into Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU.) From there, participants will take an inter-island flight to Virgin Gorda Airport (VIJ.) Inter-island flights are approximately $300 round trip and may be booked through Air Sunshine or Cape Air. Ground transfers from Virgin Gorda Airport to Guavaberry via taxi (7 minute ride) are available outside the airport and are approximately $8 per person one way. If traveling via St. Thomas, participants will fly into Cyril E. King (STT) airport on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. From there, participants will take a ferry from St. Thomas to Virgin Gorda, approximately a one-hour and 45 minute ride. Speedy’s ferry tickets are $70 per person round trip and can be booked online at www.bviferries.com. Taxis to Guavaberry are available at the ferry dock (8 minute ride) and are approximately $8 per person one way.

How to book: To reserve your space or find out more, e-mail us at trips@REEF.org, or call us at 305-588-5869. A $500 deposit will be collected at the time of booking. Visit Trip Policies page page for more information on deposit and payment schedules.

About the trip leader: Janna is REEF’s Outreach Coordinator, focusing on member relations, field stations, and working extensively with the Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Janna is passionate about underwater photography and marine life identification. She has completed over 1000 surveys and is the leader of REEF’s Pacific Coast Advanced Assessment Team. In 2003, she received REEF’s Volunteer of the Year award, in 2013 she received Dive News Network’s Diver of the Year Award, and in 2015 she received REEF's Golden Hamlet Award.

View of the island from Guavaberry Spring Bay Suites. Photo credit: Guavaberry

The Baths, a BVI landmark, are located within walking distance of Guavaberry. Photo credit: Guavaberry

  Large, comfortable dive boats. Photo credit: Dive BVI

Dive BVI Website