Cistern Point: A Snorkeler's Paradise

Cistern Point, located south of Manchioneel Bay on Cooper Island, is a stunning snorkeling and diving site in the British Virgin Islands. The point is marked by a large rock rising out of the water, signaling a vibrant coral reef system beneath the surface. The underwater topography includes craters, ledges, and rocky formations that provide shelter for a diverse array of marine life. The clear, shallow waters around Cistern Point teem with tropical fish, sea turtles, and occasional reef sharks. Snorkelers can explore colorful coral gardens and encounter species such as queen angelfish, blue tangs, damselfish, snappers, grunts, and sergeant majors. Anemones, silvery fry, tarpon, southern stingrays, moray eels, and nurse sharks can also be spotted. During late spring and early summer, schools of tiny silvery fry congregate in the shallows, attracting larger tarpon. Cistern Point is accessible by boat, a short dinghy ride from the mooring field at Cooper Island Beach Club. Its sheltered location provides calm and clear waters, ideal for snorkeling. While other dive sites like RMS Rhone and Painted Walls may draw larger crowds, Cistern Point offers a more private experience for those seeking a tranquil underwater adventure.