Wheatley Rejects Exclusive Access to The Baths
Ninth District Representative Vincent Wheatley has strongly opposed proposed National Parks Trust negotiations to grant a luxury cruise operator exclusive morning access to The Baths and Devil's Bay. Wheatley declared that the iconic sites are a public birthright and cannot be alienated to solve funding shortfalls, as community opposition and petition efforts continue to mount ahead of an August 27 public meeting.
Reporting has revealed that the National Parks Trust (NPT) has been in advanced negotiations to grant a luxury international cruise operator exclusive access to The Baths and Devil's Bay for nine mornings during the peak tourism season, prompting swift criticism from Virgin Gorda residents and elected officials (Virgin Islands News Online, BVI News, BVI Platinum, 284 Media).
Initial coverage by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) first brought the negotiations to light, and the NPT confirmed on August 14 that it had been exploring arrangements that would temporarily close the national parks to the general public during those morning windows (BVI News, 284 Media).
The plan drew an immediate rebuke from Ninth District Representative Vincent O. Wheatley, who issued a statement on August 20 rejecting any measure that would restrict community access. Wheatley underscored that his stance has not wavered since July 2021, when he served as Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration and intervened to reverse a similar closure plan.
Emphasising that all beaches must remain open to everyone, Wheatley stated that The Baths has never been a commercial product, calling the site a birthright belonging to the people of the Virgin Islands (VINO, 284 Media). While acknowledging the financial strains facing the National Parks Trust and the leadership's efforts to seek revenue, Wheatley maintained that funding shortfalls cannot be resolved by alienating a national treasure even for a few hours (284 Media).
Wheatley warned of the dangerous precedent the arrangement could set, noting that exclusive commercial access could easily expand to other operators, parks, and beaches across the Territory. Constituents have also mobilised against the plan. Wheatley highlighted an August 19 legal letter from law firm O'Neal Webster on behalf of a resident and descendant of former property owner Dr.
O'Neal, detailing records and the 1987 government acquisition showing the land was intended for perpetual public use (BVI News, VINO). Meanwhile, a community petition has already gathered more than 600 signatures toward an 800-signature goal, and a letter from the Stewards of The Baths also called for the parks to remain open without commercial preference (VINO, 284 Media).
Several NPT trustees told BVI News that they were not consulted before the proposed deal became public. Trustees suggested alternative revenue strategies, including updating ordinary entrance fees, introducing premium experiences during the off-peak season, and securing conservation contributions directly from commercial operators—alternatives Wheatley confirmed he supports (BVI News, 284 Media).
Wheatley and community advocates also called for reviews under the National Parks Act 2006, the Physical Planning Act 2004, Resolution No. 7 of 1989, and the Government Beach Use Policy. Residents are being encouraged to participate in the Trust's virtual public meeting on August 27 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to voice their concerns.
Primary source: VINO