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BVI to roll out beach management plans modelled on Long Bay project

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has announced that in 2025, several of the British Virgin Islands’ beaches will be managed through new plans inspired by the Long Bay, Beef Island Beach Management Project.

During his budget address on Monday, November 11, Dr Wheatley highlighted the dual role of BVI beaches as hubs for both tourism and local livelihoods.

“While we use our beautiful beaches for recreation and tourism, many of our people depend on them for a livelihood,” he stated, emphasising the need to reduce environmental impact.

The beach management plans will aim to balance environmental, commercial, and recreational interests, with Brewer’s Bay expected to implement a new plan soon. “This is part of a strategy to enhance the experience for residents and visitors, opening up new beaches and easing the burden on Cane Garden Bay Beach and The Baths,” Wheatley added.

In October, the government signed a $600,000 contract with DE Property Development to revitalise Long Bay Beach. The project, emphasising sustainable development, includes a vending zone with six units—three designated for full-service restaurants and bars—alongside outdoor dining and an office to support beach management. This development is part of the Long Bay Beach Management Plan, initially established to restore the beach’s ecosystem after significant damage from Hurricane Irma.

According to officials, these management efforts will protect the natural beauty of Long Bay while supporting local vendors, setting a model for other beaches across the territory.

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15 Comments

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  1. Just like that says:

    Those fun days on beef island beach are long gone…..Over and out!

    Like 13
    Dislike 0
  2. eastend girl says:

    the vendors are a shame. was better when it was kept in a natural state

    Like 22
  3. Another one bight the dust says:

    Greed is what killed that beach just like what happened to cane garden bay

    Like 18
  4. next on the hit list says:

    SMUGGLERS COVE

  5. BVI Beach Management Plan says:

    Very simple.

    NO developments on any BVI beaches. All BVI beaches to remain in natural state.

    No vendors, no buildings, no beach hut bars, no showers, no bathrooms, no car parks, NOTHING on the sandy beach!

    Car parks are permitted in areas at least a 500 meters away from the beach at the nearest public road. Beaches are accessible by foot path only.

    Like 25
    Dislike 2
    • Roger Burnett says:

      @ BVI Beach Management Plan.

      I wholeheartedly agree with your suggestion.

      I weep when I see the state that island’s beaches have been reduced to, all for the sake of the tourist dollar.

      Like 18
      Dislike 1
  6. Rubber Duck says:

    Long Bay is a disaster. We dont want any more beaches ruined by the dead hand of government. We dont need any more burgers joints or garishly painted seats no one uses or loud music.

    Get your hands off nature

    Like 28
  7. Sana says:

    People want peaceful beaches without vendors and riff raff. Look how disgusting Smugglers become?

  8. Stop it says:

    That’s why the BVI is so far behind , everything the government try to do to push this country forward you all have a problem with it.

  9. "Management' Ha! says:

    Just fix the roads, and leave the beaches alone. They don’t need any governmental “management”.

    Like 10
  10. WEW says:

    Look at Brandywine

  11. What? says:

    More Sowande BS. Just leave the beaches alone., Long Bay was OK before. iow it’s a mess. DO NOT DOI THIS TO THE OTHER BEAXHES.

  12. Watching On says:

    Where were all the commenters here when the Plan for Long Bay was being discussed to speak up for the beach being left in its natural state? I agree that would have been best but Government invited people out to several meetings and gave lots of chance for public input and the only ones who spoke up (loud and bold) at every turn were the vendors. In fact the Ministry had to push back hard against alot of what the vendors were demanding. Where was the public voice then to say what the public wanted? I’m sure that would have helped alot in the decision making…even to be able to make the case to the vendors and the politicians that the public wants the beach to remain.

    That’s the problem in this country- no one is ever willing to stand up for what they want when it matters but everyone is willing to complain when they don’t get it – happy to sit back while someone else takes the blows.

    At the end of the day a Plan was needed – Government couldn’t continue to let the vending go on as it is now or let the public continue to trear the beach like a parking lot. People need to realize that there are strong competing intetest out there and Government has the hard job of balancing it all – it would help if citizens engaged a bit more constructively when it matters…

  13. Eva Baskin says:

    More awareness needs to be brought to the public when management decisions are to be made. Including the Tourist dept. More explanation to possible consequences. Maybe comparison of results from other examples.

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