Norman Island Caves
Norman Island Caves
4.5
About
Known for tales of buried treasure, these caves are appreciated even more for spectacular snorkeling adventures, with thousands of orange cup coral and red sponge covering the cave walls.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
124 reviews
Excellent
82
Very good
33
Average
8
Poor
0
Terrible
1
RobLTulsa
Bixby, OK13 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
The wind was up and the sea was rough. The tour operator was VERY clear that the ride was going to be rough and we would likely not get to snorkel the sea caves. We were offered a full refund if we didn’t want to venture out, so I can’t complain that we didn’t get to snorkel the caves. It was obviously too rough to be safe there, so we went on to an extended stop at Treasure Island/Pirates’ Bight.
That stop was very pretty and relaxing, with a small, but interesting reef and a restaurant/bar. Overall, we didn’t get the full experience, but the tour operator made the most of the circumstances. Weather happens. I appreciated the up-front info from the tour operator. Less scrupulous operators would have just said nothing and gone forward knowing they would skip part of the tour (or worse let us get in the water in unsafe conditions).
Even under less than ideal circumstances, I felt like we got our money’s worth.
That stop was very pretty and relaxing, with a small, but interesting reef and a restaurant/bar. Overall, we didn’t get the full experience, but the tour operator made the most of the circumstances. Weather happens. I appreciated the up-front info from the tour operator. Less scrupulous operators would have just said nothing and gone forward knowing they would skip part of the tour (or worse let us get in the water in unsafe conditions).
Even under less than ideal circumstances, I felt like we got our money’s worth.
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter R
Boston, MA2,142 contributions
Feb 2020
We were told that the Norman Island Caves inspired the book, Treasure Island, by our crew on the Cruz Bay Watersports BVI snorkel cruise. This was our snorkeling stop following a walk through the Baths of Virgin Gorda. Our boat anchored at the caves along with about a half dozen others, and we dove in and swam over to the three caves to explore. The first cave goes back the furthest, about 90 feet. They are all shallow water and inhabited by fish. It is hard to see underwater in the far reaches of the 90 foot cave although when you lift your head out of the water you could see to the end of the cave pretty easily when your eyes adjusted. It was a little spooky but fun. Around the caves there were some pretty nice tropical fish to watch. I consider this a must do if you like to snorkel
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doug R
Towanda, IL60 contributions
Apr 2022
Snorkeling at the Caves is great. Lots of interesting fish and even some sea turtles. Several cruise boats were moored the day we stopped. There were large groups of swimmers and snorkelers around and into the caves.
The water is deep so be as strong swimmer or have some flotation support.
The water is deep so be as strong swimmer or have some flotation support.
Written April 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DePere
De Pere, WI497 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Snorkeled at the Indians and the Norman Island Caves on November 30 as an excursion through Celebrity Cruises. The tour had approximately 50 participants.
Of the two locations, Norman Island was our favorite. The water next to Norman Island was very calm and the clarity/visibility at the site was excellent. There are three caves at the site, two of the caves are rather shallow but the third extends quite a way into the island, so far that after exploring the entrance of the cave and swimming deeper into the cave, we decided to turn around due to the lack of light and the narrowness of the cave. We are avid snorkelers and enjoyed the uniqueness of the experience.
The Norman Caves area was large enough that it accommodated a group this size better than The Indians site. The marine life was similar at both sites. We did see a few Moon Jellyfish here which are interesting creatures to observe and present minimal danger to snorkelers. A few individuals saw a barracuda at the site, but we did not.
The Indians site had some interesting coral, but the water was choppier, and we were instructed to stay on one side of the rocks as the current is strong on the opposite side.
Of the two locations, Norman Island was our favorite. The water next to Norman Island was very calm and the clarity/visibility at the site was excellent. There are three caves at the site, two of the caves are rather shallow but the third extends quite a way into the island, so far that after exploring the entrance of the cave and swimming deeper into the cave, we decided to turn around due to the lack of light and the narrowness of the cave. We are avid snorkelers and enjoyed the uniqueness of the experience.
The Norman Caves area was large enough that it accommodated a group this size better than The Indians site. The marine life was similar at both sites. We did see a few Moon Jellyfish here which are interesting creatures to observe and present minimal danger to snorkelers. A few individuals saw a barracuda at the site, but we did not.
The Indians site had some interesting coral, but the water was choppier, and we were instructed to stay on one side of the rocks as the current is strong on the opposite side.
Written December 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LoveLakeoftheWoods
Toronto, Canada670 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
The Caves are an absolute “must do”. In fact, if the waters are fairly calm, you can avoid the craziness of the Norman mooring site close to the Willie T and Bight and moor your vessel near the Caves. The snorkelling along the shoreline and in the caves is just outstanding.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PamRoad
Texas1,029 contributions
Feb 2020
We snorkeled here and were blown away by the sea life we saw. Schools of fish in the hundreds that swam very close to us! The sea life in the caves is excellent but be careful. It gets very dark and the tide can be quite strong. Definitely the place to snorkel if you get the chance!!!
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yosif2018
Washington DC, DC68 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
This is o e of the many National Parks Trust locations that make the BVI such an easy crusing location. Tie up to a buoy and you are swimming distance from a cool pebble beach, caves, and fish all around. Water is not rough. Good before or after the Indians if tu spend the night before in The Bight.
Written January 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SaltyMeagan
St. John3 contributions
Jun 2015 • Business
I work on a tour that frequents The Caves of Norman Island (AKA Treasure Island).... I enjoy every single visit! There are 3 caves... The Northernmost cave is the only dark and creepy one... the Southernmost cave is one where Pirates treasure was found (and documented... not a myth)... the cave between the two is more of an amphitheater... not much of a cave at all but is home to an abundance of BEAUTIFUL coral! Here is a link to more pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/130959271@N04/albums/72157649338375253/with/18564559828/
Written June 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChefTIO
Arizona151 contributions
Oct 2012 • Couples
Before coming here we stopped at the Indians for about an hour of snorkeling. Honestly I wish we would have stopped here first. (This was our first time visiting both places). The caves are unique in their own right. They all go back from 10 to maybe 30 feet. Need to let your eyes get adjusted to the dim light when swimming in. Some unique rock, coral and fish the farther you go in. The wall has some nice spots to explore as well. This was a tough act to follow when stopping at the Indians first. We fell in love with that place. It is all good in the end. If we make it back to BVI / USVI this will be a must stop.
Written November 27, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Highroads Traveler
Philadelphia, PA958 contributions
Apr 2019
It's pretty cool when you approach from the sea to check out something as awesome as the caves at Norman Island. Our catamaran cruise brought us right to the tip of the island and by the caves so we could get a seaward look at those bad boys.. really great!
Written October 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
do you need to be a great swimmer
good swimmer or ok swimmer to snorkel
Written June 25, 2017
My wife and I just booked our 5 year anniversary vacation to your resort for the end of June. What are the themes of the restaurants going to be? Also we have been to many different resorts in other countries and there was always evening shows (entertainment) does your resort offer any? Thanks for answering my questions and we can't wait to arrive!
Written December 28, 2014
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