22-foot eagle ray sculpture installed as underwater reef off Scrub Island

A large spotted eagle ray sculpture now rests on the seafloor near Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina following its placement on October 2. The work measures 22 feet from head to tail and spans 16 feet across its wings.

The installation was carried out in collaboration with Beyond The Reef, a Virgin Islands nonprofit organisation. Over time, the submerged sculpture will serve as a foundation for coral to establish itself and shelter marine species, while also functioning as an underwater landmark for visitors and snorkelers.

Scrub Island Resort described the project as part of its broader commitment to safeguarding and revitalising the territory's marine habitats. Beyond The Reef's activities extend across several conservation areas: building artificial reef structures, monitoring coral health, conducting research on sharks and cetaceans, and retrieving discarded fishing equipment from Virgin Islands waters.