The Dogs
A group of uninhabited islets between Tortola and Virgin Gorda, protected and dived from boats.
Updated 14 October 2026
The Dogs are a scatter of small uninhabited islands between Tortola and Virgin Gorda, Great Dog, George Dog, West Dog and the rest, protected as national park and used mainly by divers and day boats. The sites around them include coral heads, swim-throughs and the Chikuzen, a steel wreck sunk nearby in 1981 that sits on open sand and draws large fish. Mooring buoys are laid to keep anchors off the coral.
Highlights
- The dive sites - coral heads and swim-throughs around the islets.
- The Chikuzen wreck - a steel hull on open sand nearby, drawing large fish.
- The mooring buoys - the system that keeps anchors off the coral.
- The uninhabited islands - a protected group with no settlement.
When to go
December to May is the calmest for diving and visibility. Hurricane season runs June to November. Trips depend on sea conditions.
What to expect
Access is by boat only and landing is not permitted on most of the islands. Trips are cancelled in swell. There are no facilities of any kind.
Nearby
Virgin Gorda is east, and Tortola is west.
What to pack for The Dogs
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Reef-safe sunscreen - High SPF that will not bleach the coral you are swimming over. Find on Amazon
- Your own mask + snorkel - A well-fitting mask is the single biggest comfort upgrade underwater. Find on Amazon
- Quick-dry towel - A microfibre towel packs small and dries in minutes. Find on Amazon
- Rash guard or thin wetsuit - Sun cover on the surface and warmth on longer or deeper dives. Find on Amazon
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All packing kitsPlan your trip
Where to start if The Dogs is going on the list.
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
