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Hotels, dive operators, gear, and how to get here are on the Salt Island location page.
Overview
On the west side of Dead Chest Island in the British Virgin Islands, four narrow gullies cut into the limestone to form parallel canyons whose vertical walls are sheeted in encrusting cup corals in yellow, red, orange, and purple, with rope and finger sponges threaded through the cracks. Pillar corals stand in the sandy gaps between ridges. A swim through arch on the northern ridge opens into a small basin where silversides ball up and resident tarpon hang at the entrance. Hawksbill turtles graze the slopes, nurse sharks rest beneath ledges, and green moray eels watch from holes in the wall. Currents are typically low and the profile bottoms near 18 m, so the colour and texture of the walls reward a slow recreational pace.
Briefing note
Painted Walls sits inside the BVI National Parks system; coral and marine life are protected. The arch is wide enough for an Open Water diver in good trim and is short, so penetration cert is not required. Hurricane season (August through October) brings reduced visibility and occasional closures.
What you'll see
7 species curated- year-roundHawksbill turtle
- year-roundNurse shark
- year-roundTarpon
- seasonalSilversidesPeak: May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep
- year-roundGreen moray eel
- year-roundGreat barracuda
- year-roundCaribbean spiny lobster
Conditions
| Month | Water | Visibility | Current |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25–27 °C | 18–30 m | mild |
| Feb | 25–26 °C | 18–30 m | mild |
| Mar | 25–26 °C | 20–30 m | mild |
| Apr | 26–27 °C | 20–30 m | mild |
| May | 26–28 °C | 20–30 m | mild |
| Jun | 27–28 °C | 20–30 m | mild |
| Jul | 28–29 °C | 18–25 m | mild |
| Aug | 28–30 °C | 15–25 m | mild |
| Sep | 28–30 °C | 12–25 m | moderate |
| Oct | 27–29 °C | 12–25 m | moderate |
| Nov | 26–28 °C | 15–25 m | mild |
| Dec | 26–27 °C | 18–30 m | mild |
Season calendar
Peak season highlighted · current month outlined
Gear for this site
Beyond the basic kit- Primary torch — The swim through arch and the deep cracks in the wall corals are dark; a torch reveals the layered cup coral colour and the silversides packed into the basin.
Next step
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