REEF is excited to have rescheduled our British Virgin Islands Field Survey after postponing this trip in 2017. Join us in the BVI for a stellar Caribbean diving experience aboard the Cuan Law, the largest trimaran in the world! The British Virgin Islands have more than 100 spectacular dive sites to explore, including coral gardens, pinnacles, and wrecks teeming with fish. Blackbar soliderfish, glassy sweepers and eagle rays await divers in the clear, calm waters surrounding the Islands. Weather permitting, a unique Northside itinerary is planned, to allow surveyors to collect fish abundance data from less frequently-dived areas in the BVIs. Between dives, enjoy activities such as Hobie Cat sailing, kaykaing, water skiing, snorkeling or wakeboarding, or relax in a comfortable hammock onboard. This is a great trip for snorkelers or non-divers as well.
Trip Type: Fish Survey - click here to learn more!
Pricing: $2,995 per person based on double occupancy.
Accommodations: The Cuan Law sleeps 20 passengers. There are 10 spacious staterooms onboard, which sleep two people each. Bedding can be configured according to your request. Either 1 queen bed or 2 twin beds (side by side beds) are available in each stateroom. All staterooms have the following amenties: individually controlled air conditioning, private bathroom with shower, windows with outside view, drawers, shelves and a hanging locker.
Diving: The Cuan Law offers scheduled 3 dives per day, with the option for more dives depending on the group's requests. Average water temperature is 78-82 degrees Fahrenheit. A 3mm wetsuit or skin is recommended. Diving is done from either the aft deck of the yacht, or from an inflatable depending on site and conditions. 63, 80, and 100 cubic foot tanks, weights and weight belts are included in the cost of the charter. Nitrox is available by request for $10 per tank.
Price Includes: This trip includes six nights of double occupancy accommodation in a stateroom aboard the Cuan Law, 3 dives per day featuring a special itinerary (weather permitting), 3 daily meals plus hors d'oeuvres and snacks, all hot and cold drinks including alcoholic beverages and wine, local taxes, fuel costs, and unlimited use of sporting equipment for activities including Hobie Cat sailing, kayaking, water skiing, snorkeling or wakeboarding, tanks and weights.
REEF Program Fee: A REEF Program Fee of $300 per diver will be added to each package to cover the cost of the group leader, seminar and REEF survey materials.
Additional Fees: The following costs are not included in the price paid to REEF. All flights, transfers from airport, ferry or hotel to the yacht, expenses before and after stay on the vessel, gratuities, and insurance. Gratuities are at each individual's discretion. Insurance is not included, however REEF strongly recommends that each participant purchase adequate dive travel insurance to protect you from unforeseen circumstances. More information about dive travel insurance is available here. Optional SCUBA rental equipment is available for an additional fee. Optional Nitrox is available for $10/tank.
About the Trip Leader: Ellie Splain is REEF's Education Program Manager. Under Ellie's leadership, REEF's Explorers Education Program has grown to include Ocean Explorers Summer Camp as well as week-long marine science programs for students of all ages. She is a member of REEF's Advanced Assessment Team and an expert level surveyor in REEF's Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA) region.
How to Sign Up: To reserve your space on this trip or find out more, e-mail us at trips@REEF.org, or call us at 305-588-5869. If booking greater than 180 days prior to trip departure, a $500 deposit will be collected at the time of booking. If booking within 180 days of departure, the deposit and any other corresponding payments will be due at the time of booking. Visit our Trip Policies page for more information on deposit and payment schedules.
How to Get There: Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements. Participants should arrive in time to embark the Cuan Law on Sunday, Jan. 27 beginning at noon and no later than 2pm, and disembark on Satuday, Feb. 2 at 10am. The Cuan Law departs from CSY Dock in Road Town, Tortola, BVI. Guests can fly into the Beef Island airport (EIS) in the BVI, which has multiple daily connections through San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) or they can fly direct from the US mainland to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (STT) and then take a ferry from St. Thomas to Tortola. The St. Thomas option usually requires flying in one day early and taking the ferry the following day. Participants are responsible for booking their own airfare. REEF is not able to book air travel for participants. More information on travel is available here: BVI Travel Information
Transfers: Transfers are not included in the cost of the trip, however the Cuan Law is happy to help arrange transfers to and from the boat. The cost for transfers will be paid in person. All travel information will be collected by REEF before the trip and REEF will arrange necessary transfers at the participant's request.