ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI — The National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands (NPTVI) is increasing park entrance and marine conservation mooring fees from November 1, 2026, as the Territory moves to strengthen the resources available to protect, maintain and improve its national parks and marine environment.
The revised fee structure represents the Trust’s first increase in park entrance fees since 1990, following 36 years during which the cost of managing the Territory’s protected areas has continued to rise.
The Trust said the additional revenue will provide a more sustainable financial foundation for the management and continued development of the BVI’s 22 national parks and approximately 155 marine conservation moorings.
Funds generated through the revised fees will support infrastructure improvements, environmental conservation, visitor safety and accessibility, park maintenance, marine mooring upkeep and the daily operation of the Territory’s protected areas.
Investing in the BVI’s Natural Assets
The BVI’s national parks and marine areas are among the Territory’s most important natural and tourism assets, attracting residents and visitors while providing opportunities for recreation, education and environmental stewardship.
The National Parks Trust said the adjustment is necessary as it faces increasing costs for labour, materials, utilities, maintenance, infrastructure and other operations, alongside continued growth in visitor numbers.
Director of the National Parks Trust, Dr Cassander P. Titley-O’Neal, said the Trust’s focus is on ensuring these resources remain protected and accessible for generations to come.
“Our priority is to ensure that the Territory’s national parks are properly managed, maintained and conserved for future generations,” Dr Titley-O’Neal said.
She said the revised fees will give the Trust additional resources to support the ongoing operation of its parks and marine conservation network while addressing needed improvements in infrastructure, interpretation, safety and the overall visitor experience.
What Will Change?
At Sage Mountain National Park, the entrance fee for visiting adults will increase from $3 to $5, while visiting children under 18 will pay $3, up from $2.
The resident adult fee will increase from $1 to $3, while the resident child fee will remain at $1.
At The Baths and Devil’s Bay National Parks, visiting adults will pay $10, up from $3, while visiting children under 18 will pay $5, up from $2.
Importantly, Virgin Islanders, Belongers and residents will continue to enter The Baths and Devil’s Bay free of charge when they present valid government-issued identification.
Accepted identification includes a Virgin Islands passport, Belonger card, Virgin Islands driver’s licence, voter identification card, Work Permit card or NHI card.
At the Joseph Reynold O’Neal Botanic Garden, visitor adult fees will increase from $3 to $5 and visitor child fees from $2 to $3. Resident adult fees will rise from $1 to $3, while resident child fees will increase from $1 to $2.
Marine Conservation Fees
The Trust is also revising fees associated with the use of its marine conservation mooring network.
Daily marine conservation permits for local vessels will increase from $3 to $15 per person. Visiting adults will pay $25, up from $6, while visiting children will pay $10, up from $6.
For weekly term charters, bareboat charters and private vessels, the fee for local vessels will increase to $160 per vessel, with a maximum of eight persons. The visiting vessel fee will increase to $200 per vessel, also with a maximum of eight persons.
Weekly fees include entrance to The Baths and Devil’s Bay National Parks.
Annual fees will also be adjusted, with commercial local vessels paying $1,500, commercial visiting vessels $2,000, private local vessels $175 and private visiting vessels $250.
The Trust noted that annual marine conservation mooring fees do not include entrance fees to The Baths and Devil’s Bay National Parks.
Keeping Conservation Sustainable
The NPTVI said it recognises the importance of keeping the Territory’s national parks and popular snorkelling and diving sites accessible and well managed for residents and visitors.
The revised fees are intended to ensure that those who use and enjoy these protected spaces contribute toward the cost of maintaining them.
With the last park entrance fee increase dating back to 1990, the Trust said the new structure will help bring its revenue base more in line with the realities of operating and protecting the Territory’s natural and cultural resources today.
The changes take effect November 1, 2026.
Detailed information on the revised fee schedule is available through the National Parks Trust’s official website and Facebook page.
The National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands was established under the National Parks Ordinance of 1961 and is responsible for parks and protected areas under the Virgin Islands National Parks Act of 2006, the 2008 Regulations and the 2024 Amendment Bill.