In the 1980's, dramatic increases in the number of boats resulted in escalating damage to the very features which visitors travel here to enjoy. The coral reefs and seagrass beds of the park have been heavily damaged by the anchors and anchor chains of boats. Although the weight of the anchor crushes marine life, the greatest impact is caused by the anchor chain sweeping and scouring the area clean of plants and animals as the boat rotates with changes in wind direction. This damage has been well documented by the park's research staff. With the input and support of the local community, the park has installed moorings and established protective zones around several of the more sensitive reef and seagrass areas. This guide will help boaters understand what they can do to help preserve the park's marine resources so that future generations will have the opportunity to enjoy the park as well.

Mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs are interrelated ecological systems. Many fish and shellfish depend on more than one of these for food and shelter. Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, equivalent to tropical forests. Corals are fragile living organisms that only grow a few inches a year or less. Striped sergeant majors, rainbow colored parrotfish and spiny lobsters are some species which live on the reef.

Some fishes, such as snappers and grunts, migrate daily from the shelter of reefs to feed in adjacent seagrass beds at night. Green sea turtles and queen conch also depend on seagrass for food. The juveniles of many species rely on both mangroves and seagrass beds, moving to deeper water and offshore reefs as they mature. Seagrasses are flowering plants which spread primarily through root growth. Those roots also help to retain bottom sediments and reduce shoreline erosion. When anchors rip up seagrasses, they not only leave a scarred bottom which may take years to recover, but also destroy an important food source for marine animals and accelerate the loss of St. John's white sandy beaches.

Anchor in sand well away from coral and seagrass beds, or use moorings. Anchoring is not permitted in Saltpond, Great Lameshur, Little Lameshur, and Reef Bays; moorings must be used in these areas. Contact the park for information about moorings and their use. Living aboard a boat in park waters is limited to 14 days in any 12-month period. Rent powerboats in Cruz Bay and Coral Bay on St. John or in Red Hook on St. Thomas.

Mooring & Anchoring Guide Bay by Bay

1 Cruz Bay: Cruz Bay is the main harbor and port of entry for St. John. Limited anchoring space and several moorings are available. The National Park Visitor Center is located in Cruz Bay. Rangers are on duty to provide information about the park, its interpretive programs, and other services. Exhibits and a video program provide further orientation. Maps and interpretive publications are also available. The park's finger pier use limit is 15 minutes. Please observe the no-wake zones adjacent to Cruz Bay docks and anchorages. Cruz Bay services include Customs and Immigration (opposite NPS dock area), groceries, restaurants, and shops. Boater services, including gas and water, are available at the Caneel shipyard adjacent to the National Park bulkhead.

2 Lind Point: Mooring buoys are located off the north side of the point near a well developed coral community.

3 Salomon Bay: A narrow crescent beach here is popular with day sailors. Anchoring is allowed in sand outside the protected swim area. A trail from the beach leads up the hill past the Virgin Islands Biosphere Reserve Center to Cruz Bay (1.0 ml.)

4 Honeymoon Bay: At Honeymoon, snorkelers will enjoy the reef outcrop separating Salomon from Honeymoon Beach. Anchoring is permitted outside the protected swim area. Boaters may access the shore by using the marked channel at the southern end of the beach. A trail leads from this area to the Caneel resort in one direction and back to Cruz Bay to the south.

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5 Caneel Bay: This well protected bay is the site of Caneel Bay Plantation Resort. The resort's shoreline extends from Honeymoon Beach around Turtle Point and into Hawksnest Bay. Several moorings are maintained by the resort.

Anchoring is allowed outside of channels and marked swim areas. Dinghies may tie up to the resorts dock for loading and unloading of passengers only. Day guest registration in the main lobby is required for use of beaches.

6 Durloe Cays: Three small, uninhabited islands make up the Durloe Cays west of Turtle Point. Henley Cay is popular as a day use area. Its surrounding reef provides good snorkeling. Mooring buoys are located off the southeast corner of the island and must be used since no anchoring is allowed around any of the Durloes. Use caution in this area as currents may be strong.

7 Hawksnest Bay: Three beautiful beaches fringe this bay. An emergency-use telephone is located next to the parking lot behind the middle beach. Anchoring is allowed outside the protected swim areas. Mooring buoys are located along the eastern shoreline. Dinghy channels are available to the beaches.

8 Trunk Bay: Trunk Bay is considered to be one of the most beautiful beach areas in the world. An underwater snorkeling trail is located on the western side of Trunk Cay. Anchoring is permitted outside of the marked swim area and a dinghy channel is located at the west end of the beach. Lifeguards are on duty and a pay telephone is also available.

9 Cinnamon Bay: Cinnamon Bay is a shallow, open bay located adjacent to the National Park campground. A park ranger lives on site. The old customs house along the beach is now a museum. Park rangers conduct a variety of activities here, including snorkel trips and evening campfire programs. Snorkeling is popular around Cinnamon Cay and along the fringing reef to the west. Well preserved sugar plantation ruins and a nature trail are located close to the campground.

Anchoring is permitted outside the marked swim area. Mooring buoys are located off the west end of the beach. Dinghy access is permitted here as well. Pay attention to the numerous snorkelers and windsurfers who use this area. Lifeguards are on duty. A pay telephone is located near the cafeteria.

10 Maho Bay: Because it is protected from northern swells, Maho Bay is a popular day and night anchorage. Anchoring is permitted outside the swim area. Dinghy access is via a channel at the bay's northern end. Sea turtles can occasionally be seen feeding on the seagrass in this bay. Bus service to Cruz Bay is available from the private campground at Maho Bay.

11 Francis Bay: Francis Bay is popular for its large beach and frequently sighted sea turtles. Mooring buoys are available and anchoring is not permitted within 150 ft. of the mooring area. A dinghy channel is located at the southern end of the beach. A road leads to the popular Annaberg ruins (1.0 ml.) from the picnic area behind the beach. Towards the north end of the beach, the Francis Bay trail leads around a salt pond and up a ridge. The area provides excellent bird-watching in the winter.

12 Leinster Bay: This bay is a popular anchorage and snorkeling area. Numerous snorkelers swim the channel from the main island to Waterlemon Cay; boaters may not cut through this area. The Johnny Horn trail access is behind the beach and leads to Brown Bay (1.4 ml.) and Coral Bay (1.8 mile). Use the dinghy channel at the western end of Leinster Bay just below the windmill to access the Annaberg ruins. Boaters may deposit trash at the bin located here. Weekly ranger guided seashore walks also start from this location.

13 Reef Bay: Be cautious of the exposed reef protecting both sides of this bay. A mooring area is located in the inner portion of the bay. Please do not use the reserved "concession mooring" (white with no stripe). Extensive sugar plantation factory ruins are located just behind the beach. The Reef Bay trail leads from the ruins up-valley to petroglyph rock carvings (0.9 ml.) and Centerline Road (2.2 mile).

14 Little Lameshur Bay: Lameshur and Reef Bay watersheds and bays are the "core areas" of the Biosphere Reserve. Preservation of marine resources here is a high priority. Long-term research programs on coral reefs, seagrass beds, and fish populations are underway in Little and Greater Lameshur. Mooring buoys are available on the eastern side of the bay. Anchoring is not permitted in this bay. A dinghy channel is available for beach access. The house and radio tower above this bay marks the ranger residence and office. The ranger monitors channel 16 (Telephone 776-6107).

15 Greater Lameshur Bay: Mooring buoys are located along the eastern side of the shore. No anchoring is permitted. A park service dock is located in this bay along with a field station laboratory. Dock usage is restricted to passenger transfers only.

16 Saltpond Bay: In the middle of Saltpond Bay is a reef area with deep water on either side of the exposed rocks. This bay provides a good, sheltered overnight anchorage. Moorings are available and anchoring is permitted in sand only; please avoid anchoring in seagrass beds. The Drunk Bay (0.2 ml.) and Ram Head (1.0 ml.) trails begin at the south end of the beach. Watch your footing near cliff edges on the way to Ram Head.

Safety & Such

Dangerous Reefs: Boaters should be especially careful to avoid Windswept and Johnson's Reefs. Windswept Reef fringes the island between Trunk and Cinnamon Bays. Johnson's Reef, north of Trunk Bay, is marked by red and green buoy markers.

Big Boats: Boats between 150 ft. and 225 ft. can only anchor in Francis Bay in depths greater than 30 feet. Vessels longer than 225 ft. are prohibited from anchoring in park waters.

Radios: Park Rangers monitor Channel 16 on boat patrol and may be contacted directly. The park may be reached at 776-6201 during the day and at 776-6451 after hours through Virgin Islands Radio which monitors Channel 16.

Charts: For safe boating, do not rely on this map. Use NOAA nautical charts 25641 and 25647 which show navigational aids and hazardous areas, such as coral reefs, in detail. Watch out for unmarked reefs and other boats and swimmers. Divers and snorkelers are required to fly a standard diver's flag; stay 100 feet away. If you plan to visit the British Virgin Islands take your passport or birth certificate: you'll need it to pass through customs. An island courtesy includes greeting others with a cheerful, "Good day!"

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