Boating Information

Safe and Legal Use of NPS Mooring Systems

An NPS mooring system has a painter/pennant line extending from the mooring buoy; the end has a plastic thimble or eye. A mariner must affix one end of a line to their vessel, then pass the other end through the mooring thimble, and affix that end to the boat.

To secure your boat to the mooring, secure your line to a cleat on the bow of your boat, run the free end of your line through the plastic thimble on the pennant and back to a cleat on the bow of your boat.

Catamarans must pass two lines through the thimble and affix to their boat at opposite ends, AND ensure the thimble does not move and cut or saw through the lines.

To secure your catamaran boat to the mooring, secure your line to a cleat on the port side of your bow, run the free end of your line through the plastic thimble on the pennant and back to the same cleat on the port side of the bow; secure your line to a cleat on the starboard side of your bow, run the free end of your line through the plastic thimble on the pennant and back to the same cleat on the starboard side of your bow.

 

Plan a Safe and Enjoyable Boating Experience

Virgin Islands National Park and Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument boast crystal-clear waters, precious marine life, and breathtaking scenery from the water. Help to protect these valuable resourcesby following safe and responsible boating guidelines.

Watch our safe boating video first, then explore the links below to find maps and information about boat exclusion areas, mooring locations, dinghy channels, vessel size limits, fee pay stations, and anchoring areas.

 

 

Duration:

3 minutes, 28 seconds

Safe Boating

 

Marine Guide

The official Mooring Guide pg 1, Mooring Guide pg 2, provides a map of the bays, information where you may operate a vessel or find a mooring in the Virgin Islands National Park. It also includes Visitor Center contact information and instructions on how to pick up a mooring.

 

Interactive Marine Users Map

Use the Interactive Marine Map for hands-on boating information in Virgin Islands National Park or Coral Reef National Monument. Follow this link to the Marine Map page, then toggle on or off the information you would like using the check boxes in the legend.

 

Screen capture from Virgin Islands National Park Marine Map as displayed in Google Earth.  Clicking on the water, buoys, or colored areas will display information associated with that feature.

Google Earth Marine Map

Virgin Islands National Park Marine Map.KMZ (version December 23, 2021) is a downloadable file (359 kb KMZ file) that when opened in Google Earth will show the location and information for:

1) Visitor Center Area
2) Where is the best snorkeling?
3) Where can I anchor a boat?
4) Where can I access the beach in a small boat?
5) Places to avoid when boating.
6) NPS Fee Pay Stations.
7) All mooring information (what the different sizes and colors mean)
8) Boundary lines for Virgin Islands National Park and Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument.

You may want to download the Google Earth program to view this file.

Do you have questions on how to use the KMZ file once you download it?
Click this link to download &/or view a short movie on how to use this map file in Google Earth.

References to non-U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) products do not constitute endorsement by the DOI. By viewing Google Maps on this page the user agrees to these terms set forth by Google.

Map Disclaimer: The features of this map were exported to Google Earth by the National Park Service. For information, planning, reference and illustration purposes for Virgin Islands National Park and Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument only. The location of marine features is based on the most current park knowledge, which may outdate the underlying imagery. These materials are not verified by a Registered Professional Land Surveyor and are not intended to be used as such. The NPS makes no warranty, express or implied, related to the accuracy or content of this map.

 

More Resources

Anchoring Information This map provides coordinates for the designated anchoring areas.

Superintendent's Compendium The compendium contains laws and policies specific to Virgin Islands National Park. It includes information on closures, public use limits, anchoring and mooring, boat exclusion areas as well as many other activities.

Fishing Guide from the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources.

Hurricane Hole Storm Refuge Link to Hurricane Hole Storm Refuge information and guidelines.