This dive site, Gingers Backside, is located on the calm north side of Ginger Island in the British Virgin Islands. It offers a relaxed diving experience, making it ideal for surface intervals and second dives due to its consistently flat and calm conditions. Divers can navigate along a huge, healthy coral reef that starts at about 4.5 meters (15 ft) and slopes down to a sandy bottom at approximately 18 meters (60 ft), providing a mix of reef and sand structures to explore. There's no specific historical account provided, but its name likely refers to its location on the 'backside' or less exposed side of Ginger Island.
The site is teeming with marine life, notably featuring sharks that cruise along the reef's edge, adding an exciting element to the dive. Green sea turtles are also frequently sighted, enjoying the shallower parts of the reef. The 'huge, healthy coral reef' implies a vibrant ecosystem supporting a variety of reef fish, invertebrates, and diverse coral species, making it a rich habitat for both macro and wide-angle observation.
The best time to visit Gingers Backside aligns with the dry season in the British Virgin Islands, typically from December to May, offering the most stable and calm weather conditions. Its protected location ensures good diving almost year-round. This site is excellent for photographers focusing on both wide-angle reef shots and capturing marine life like sharks and turtles. For freedivers, the calm conditions and varied depths down to 18 meters make it a superb training and recreational spot. For divers, it's a perfect second dive or a relaxed first dive to ease into the BVI's beautiful underwater world.
