BVI Art Reef: An Underwater Oasis

The BVI Art Reef is a unique underwater attraction located off the coast of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. This artificial reef combines art and marine conservation, creating a vibrant habitat for sea life and an engaging experience for divers and snorkelers. The centerpiece of the BVI Art Reef is the Kodiak Queen, a former US Navy fuel barge named YO-44, which remarkably survived the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. After serving in World War II and later as a fishing trawler, the ship was abandoned in the BVI. In 2017, it was intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef. Before its sinking, the ship was transformed by artists who created a 24-meter long steel kraken sculpture that sits atop the vessel, adding an artistic element to the underwater landscape. The BVI Art Reef serves multiple purposes. It provides a habitat for various marine species, including corals, sea sponges, sharks, and turtles. The porous surface of the kraken sculpture is designed to encourage coral growth, and the entire site functions as a coral nursery. The reef also helps to rehabilitate over-fished marine populations by providing feeding grounds and hiding spaces. The site is accessible to both snorkelers and divers. The top of the kraken sits just six meters below the surface, making it easily visible to snorkelers. The seabed is at a depth of 17 meters, making it suitable for novice recreational divers. The BVI Art Reef is not only a tourist attraction but also a living laboratory where scientists monitor the local flora and fauna using e-DNA technology.