National Park Fee

www.bvinationalparkstrust.org

 

DAY MOORING

A small fee is charged for the use of the moorings. This conservation fee goes back into the maintenance of the system and installation of new buoys in other high traffic areas.

Sailors must, by law, obtain a National Parks Permit.

In order for sailors to enjoy the many beautiful sites both above and below the water, The BVI National ParksTrust has installed over 200 mooring buoys (surface buoys attached to stainless steel pins set in bedrock), for day-time use only at many BVI dive sites.

The system has been operating since 1991 and is aimed at protecting the fragile, underwater marine ecology from physical damage, particularly by boat anchors, and to maintain the pristine reefs for the future.

There is a 90-minute time limit on all moorings and use is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Vessels over 55ft in length or over 35 tons are not allowed to use any regular mooring, but they can use the larger yellow buoys, which are 18 inches in diameter.

Please note, that in virtually all of the areas where the National Parks Trust moorings are found, the areas can encounter rough, and unpredictable ground seas. In addition, some buoys are in the vicinity of shallow rocks and reefs. The moorings are, therefore, for DAY USE only, and it is illegal to use them overnight.

Sailors must check the integrity of your mooring, its pick-up line and down-line for safety, before tying up or leaving the vessel. They are responsible for the vessel, even when tied to a National Parks mooring.

The mooring buoys are 13 inches in diameter and are colour coded as follows:

· ORANGE BUOYS: Non-diving, day use only.

· YELLOW BUOYS: Commercial dive vessels only.

· LARGE YELLOW BUOYS: Commercial vessels or vessels over 55 ft.

· WHITE BUOYS: Non-commercial vessels, for daytime dive use only.

· BLUE BUOYS: For dinghy use only

 

National Parks Trust Moorings can be found in the following locations:

  • Norman Island The Indians
  • Pelican Island Peter Island & The Rhone's Anchor
  • Dead Chest Island The Rhone Marine Park
  • Salt Island Cooper Island
  • Ginger Island Carvel Rock
  • Fallen Jerusalem The Baths
  • Devils Bay Fort Point
  • Mountain Point, V.G. Seal Dog
  • Great Dog Necker Island (Invisible's)
  • Scrub Island Guana Island
  • Great Camanoe Great Thatch
  • Brewer's Bay Green Cay

OVERNIGHT MOORINGS

The National Parks Moorings should not be confused with overnight moorings which are found in most anchorages. All National Parks moorings are 13 inches in diameter, with the exception of the larger yellow buoys as noted above. The overnight moorings are white in colour and are all 18 inches in diameter. The maximum length for overnight mooring is 60 ft.

It is advisable to get to your destination early as overnight moorings are limited and fill up quickly.

Please register with the following establishments upon arrival, for overnight moorings:

  • West End, Tortola: Soper's Hole Marina
  • Cane Garden Bay: Tortola Rhymer's Beach Bar
  • Fat Hogs Bay: East End Tortola Penn's Landing
  • Trellis Bay, Beef Island: The Last Resort
  • Marina Cay: Pusser's
  • Little Harbour: Jost Van Dyke Abe's
  • Little Harbour, Jost Van Dyke: Harris' Place
  • The Bight, Norman Island: Norman Island
  • Manchioneel Bay, Cooper Island: Cooper Island Beach Club
  • North Sound, Virgin Gorda: Bitter End Yacht Club
  • Mosquito Island, North Sound, Virgin Gorda: Drake's Anchorage
  • Prickly Pear Island, North Sound, Virgin Gorda: Vixen Point
  • Anegada: Anegada Reef Hotel
  • Anegada: Neptune's Treasure

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