The Orignal Legendary Bar Lives On After Hurricanes Irma & Maria
The Willy T Dive Site, short for William Thornton, is a world-famous floating bar and restaurant located in the British Virgin Islands. It was named after a British-American physician who was also an inventor, painter, and architect who designed the United States Capitol. The original vessel was built as a private yacht in the 1930s. It was later converted into a floating bar and restaurant and became a popular destination for tourists and locals.
However, after the devastating 2017 hurricanes Irma and Maria, the Willy T washed up on shore. Beyond the Reef, a local non-profit specializing in creating artificial reefs, spent several months transforming the vessel into a pirate-themed underwater playground. The Willy T was moved to a new location, just off of Key Bay at Peter Island. She was sunk in 2019 to create an artificial reef and a new scuba diving site.
Today, the sunken original Willy T remains a popular dive site attracting scuba enthusiasts from around the world. Divers can explore the wreck and the surrounding coral reefs. These reefs are home to a diverse array of marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and even sharks. The wreck lies in 65ft of water, with the crow’s nest at 35ft. There are many opportunities for legendary photos with the pirates who now control the ship.
A newly built Willy T (William Thornton) floating bar and restaurant is anchored in the bay of Norman Island. Go experience it yourself! This Bar has a lively atmosphere and throws some wild parties. Additionally, the bar is especially famous for its tradition of encouraging patrons to jump from the upper deck into the beautiful water below. Another great photo op!
Sara Nelson, Contributing Writer and Co-Founder of Uncharted
Photography by Max Koestenblatt
