Beyond the Reef Willy T Pirate Ship

🌊 Discovery Beyond the Reef: BVI Pirate Ship Sinks!

Dive into the true tale of the Willy T shipwreck near the BVI. This was not a scene from a pirate movie but a runaway party ship transforming into an unexpected underwater relic. Once hosting festive souls, now resting beneath the waves – fused with legends and real-life adventures.

🕵️‍♂️ Highlights:
– 🚢 A notable landmark of wild BVI parties.
– 🌊 Now wrapped in ocean mysteries, resting serenely.
– 📸 More than sightseeing – it connects present-day explorers with the past.

👉 Explore a blend of myth and reality; witness divers sharing what Willy T still whispers from its serene aquatic grave.

#WillyT #BVILegend #OceanMystery #YachtLife #H2OLuxuryYachts #EpicAdventures

Willy T Pirate Ship, Key Bay, Peter Island

Willy T’s is legendary! Originally and legally named the William Thornton, this “too much fun” floating bar is now in its third reiteration. For decades, Willy T’s has been a firm favorite with locals and tourists alike.

This writer has been there, jumped naked, and got the T-shirt! This was a couple of decades ago. I am unsure how many marriages have started from couples meeting each other at this spot, but we are one of them.

They have a famous “shotski” used millions of times. It’s a great place to go for a morning SCUBA dive underneath it to find lost sunglasses and dollars.

The second Willy T's Floating Bar
The second Willy T's Floating Bar

Tell me the history of Beyond the Reef Willy T Pirate Ship

The first Willy T’s, which came into life in 1989, was an old Baltic Trader from 1935. This wooden ship sprung a leak in the middle of the night in 1995 and sunk at her mooring.

She was raised and towed to Peter Island, where she was a dive site that quickly broke up. Now, all you can find is a few pieces of wood. The Second Willy T’s was a 100′ steel trader that soon proved to be even more popular than her predecessor until the hurricanes of 2017.

Willy T Pirate Ship Beyond the Reef
Willy T Pirate Ship Beyond the Reef

Beyond the Reef Willy T Pirate Ship

“On August 7th, 2019, Beyond The Reef successfully sunk the legendary Willy T, landing perfectly upright on the sand in between two coral heads.  She now lives in Key Bay, Peter Island, at 65 feet, with the top of her “crow’s nest” at 35 feet.

She can be seen and enjoyed by snorkelers, but was designed with careful detail to create a truly interactive experience for scuba divers.”  We were lucky enough to be onsite that day and the first guests to recreationally be on it!

Willy T's Pirate Ship SCUBA dive
Willy T's Pirate Ship SCUBA dive

Where is the Beyond the Reef Willy T Pirate Ship located?

The Willy T’s landed at Key Bay on the Island of Peter Island. She sets in 65′ of water, with mooring balls above it for yachts to tie up to. It is possible to see it while snorkeling, but better under SCUBA. The crow’s nest is about 35,’ and many pirate statues have been placed from the shoreline out to the wreck for snorkelers to happily visit as well.

There is a nominal charge of $5.00 per person, which your Captain on your yacht charter will collect from you, or you can donate directly to Beyond The Reef online.

Beyond The Reef Willy T's Pirate Ship
Beyond The Reef Willy T's Pirate Ship
Willy T's cleaned and laying on the beach
Willy T's cleaned and laying on the beach

How Can I visit Beyond the Reef Willy T Pirate Ship SCUBA sites?

We at H2O Luxury Yachts are happy to set you up with charter yachts offering SCUBA diving on board.  We are uniquely qualified as SCUBA Instructors ourselves. Diving the wrecks with Rendez-vous diving and one of the local dive stores is also possible.

They will pick you up from your yacht at anchor, take you to the wreck site, and then back to your boat.

Checking out the Willy T pirate ship
Paparazzi for the sinking of Willy T's Pirate Ship
Paparazzi for the sinking of Willy T's Pirate Ship