Anchorage· St John· Virgin Islands (BVI, USVI and Spanish Virgins)

Hawksnest Bay Moorings

18° 20.9′ N · 64° 47.0′ W

A small, pretty park bay just east of Caneel with three fingers of protected elkhorn coral off a picnic beach.

British Virgin IslandsUS Virgin IslandsSpanish Virgins

Practical

Position is the GNIS point for Hawksnest Bay. NPS moorings; the Compendium lists 1 big-boat (61 to 100 ft) mooring here. Coast Pilot 5: small bay east of Hawksnest Point (Hawksnest Rock, bare and 25 ft high, lies off the point); numerous rocks off its south shore. The part of the bay off the NPS beach is closed to commercial vessel groups (Compendium). Dinghy tether at Hawksnest beach. Snorkel the outside edges of the three reef fingers only: the elkhorn coral is federally protected, very shallow and fragile, and swell can push you onto it (NPS). Hawksnest sees more wave action than most north-shore beaches (island guide). Park mooring rules (NPS marine page and 2026 Superintendent's Compendium): no anchoring while on a mooring; never secure to a mooring with stern cleats; catamarans run a bridle with one line from each bow cleat through the pennant thimble; no fishing from moorings; 5 mph / no wake in and near mooring fields; vacate park moorings when tropical-storm conditions (winds of 40 mph or more) are forecast. Overnight fee US$26/night (US$13 with Senior/Access pass; NPS fee table labelled 2024, page updated Sept 2026; a 2024 proposal would raise it to US$40 for boats up to 60 ft and charge 24 hours a day, so verify locally), payable before spending the night (5 pm to 7 am) via the Recreation.gov app (scan the QR code on the pay station, site 10214380) or envelope; limit 7 consecutive nights per bay and 30 nights per year. First come, first served; no reservations.

Best for

Short hop from Cruz Bay with an easy reef snorkel

Nearby