The Baths & Devil’s Bay 'must remain open' to the public- Hon Vincent O. Wheatley
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Hon Wheatley was addressing the controversy regarding the National Parks Trust (NPT) being in advanced negotiations with an international luxury cruise operator for reserved access to The Baths and Devil’s Bay on nine mornings during the peak season, with public access withheld from the general public during those windows.
News of the negotiations has resulted in a public outcry, with many sharing the view that The Baths and all beaches in the Virgin Islands should remain accessible to Virgin Islanders at all times.
A birthright
Weighing in on the matter after getting hold of all the facts, Hon Wheatley, in a statement today, August 20, 2026, said he was addressing the issue not only as Minister of Government and the elected Representative for the Ninth District, home to The Baths and Devil’s Bay National Parks, but also as a son of Virgin Gorda for whom The Baths has never been a commercial product, but a birthright.
Hon Wheatley also made it plain that his position on the matter now is nothing new, as in July 2021, as the then Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, he directed the National Parks Trust to immediately reverse a decision that would have closed The Baths to residents and non-cruise visitors during set hours.
“My words then were plain, and they remain my words today: all beaches are public to anyone, for any matter. That was the Government’s position long before cruise ships resumed calling on our shores, and it is the Government's position now. Nothing about the passage of five years, or about the pressures now facing the Trust, changes that principle.”
‘Solution to a funding shortfall cannot be alienation’
The District Representative said he does not dismiss the very real financial pressures the NPT has described, and he acknowledges the investment the Trust has made in the Greater Baths National Park in recent years. “However, the solution to a funding shortfall cannot be the alienation, even for a matter of hours, of a national treasure that belongs to the people of these Islands.
“I want to be clear that I recognise the difficult financial position of the National Parks Trust, and I do not question the good faith of its Board or its Executive Director in seeking to secure the resources the parks system needs. That is a legitimate and pressing challenge, and one Government stands ready to work through with the Trust. What I cannot support is a solution that turns, even in part, on the exclusion of the very people the National Parks Trust exists to serve.”
Public meeting via Zoom
Meanwhile, Hon Wheatley said he is awaiting further dialogue with the National Parks Trust Board and its Executive Director on this matter, and encouraged every resident and every concerned citizen to make use of the public meeting the Trust has scheduled via Zoom for August 27, 2026, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM, “to hear the Trust’s position directly, to ask questions, and to make your voices heard”.
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31 Responses to “The Baths & Devil’s Bay 'must remain open' to the public- Hon Vincent O. Wheatley”
And pay attention to how you see people try to defend this. Notice that they only use the word funds and not money, revenue or income. This is called astroturfing; they're all using the same word because that's what they were told to say.
NEVER, EVER WILL HAPPEN.
DONT SELL OUT FOR MONEY.
THEY DONT UNDERSTAND WHAT THET HAVE.
If you are in your house, and I want to come in but you don't want me there. You don't split it down the middle and let me in the house for an hour. You just don't let me in the house. There's no middle ground on this, the idea that beaches are all public access is pretty important thing and every country in the Caribbean that has compromised on this idea has come to regret it.
Ask them when last them went to the baths in the past 2 months. Most families go to spring bay and savannah bay
But to cut off locals to deal with white racist people with attitude nah.
Plus its not like locals there everyday, we do work and others things to deal with. Locals maybe go beach 3 to 5 times a year if that much. And the baths will be visit more so by people living vg. Those others will ill go if they have guest from away.
So
We need joined up thinking from people making decisions.
Let's take a look at savanna bay, it's one of the best beaches on vg and it's not being advertised for what it offers. This beach can be upgraded with outdoor showers, lockers, better parking and even a lifeguard office. It have some of the best snorkeling and can be used for other water activities to attract tourist from USA and the Caribbean even.
If this issue with the baths was not made public by the flax ladies, this would have gone througt and we the public would only know about it if one of us went to visit the baths during the hours posted.
Vg needs proper representation with accountability, loyalty to the people and island with a vision to developand modernize the island. To name a few, we need a proper fire station with fire fighting equipment, upgrade the medical system on vg with equipment and staffing, find a proper area to build an upscale senior citizens home where they can have peace and quiet with programs to occupy their last days with us., this is just a few but with the present administration we will never see this happen.
Savannah Bay, you said? Go ask the Government how long that place is locked down for by Rosewood Resorts. That's for the better anyway so that no other development can take place there. I think they are the ones started the National park thing here.
as you say u are the representative for the people and the 9th district, educate us we need to know before it becomes a problem for the people. no gimmicks.
we need to be educated about whats happening in our country and especially in this 9th district where we call home.
Create a "crisis", present a "solution ", become a "hero".
Several good points raised in the blog...
1. What is the position of the actual Minister for the Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change?
2. Who sits on the Board that made these decisions, and were these negotiations known to any members of Cabinet prior to the story breaking?
3. How can negotiations be in "advanced stages" and the public wasn't consulted?
4. A person referenced Savannah Bay being one of the best beaches on VG but being under developed. Did you know that Savannah Bay and the intervening lands on the north shore are all under lease to Little Doxx Bay Hotel, and have been so for several administration's past? Why?
5. Speaking of which, just how many public beaches does VG actually have that locals can use for family gatherings and events? St. Thomas Bay (about to be the site of a commercial port), Savannah Bay (under leasehold), Devils Bay and the Baths and Spring Bay (National Parks Trust), Pond Bay (status unknown.. except for Christmas In July events), Mango Bay (public access under question).
6. Bigger issue... It has long been said that all beaches are accessible by the Public, but its also a well known fact that you can pull up to beaches outside of private hotels and villas freely... Peter Island, Norman Island, Scrub Island, Necker Island, Mosquito Island, Oil Nut Bay, etc. Can we address that issue?
7. The bigger picture doesn't just affect local access, but also access by on-island visitors who wish to visit the beaches, thereby providing income to taxis, vendors and restaurants. Do we also disenfranchise this sector for the sake of some high-income clients?
Let's talk.