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VG resort owner warned against blocking access to beach

- Hon Turnbull reminds that all beaches in VI remain public & discrimination will not be welcomed
Hon Melvin M. Turnbull has pointed to one incident which he said was reported to his Ministry with extensive documentation, happening on the sister island of Virgin Gorda at Little Trunk Bay where he visited with District Representative Honorable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) along with At-Large Representative, Hon Shereen D. Flax Charles. Photo: Internet Source
The Minister issued a warning that all VI beaches remain public, while delivering a speech delivered at yesterday's March 9, 2023, Fourth Sitting of the Fifth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly. Photo: HoA/Youtube
The Minister issued a warning that all VI beaches remain public, while delivering a speech delivered at yesterday's March 9, 2023, Fourth Sitting of the Fifth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly. Photo: HoA/Youtube
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) has again warned persons against violations of beach legislation, specifically, to property owners who restrict access to beaches in the Virgin Islands.

“All BVI beaches are public. No VI resident or their guests should be made to feel that they do not have the right to enjoy any BVI beach,” the Minister said in a warning issued during a statement delivered at yesterday's March 9, 2023, Fourth Sitting of the Fifth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly in Road Town. 

Some persons still violating beach laws - Hon Turnbull 

“Mr Speaker, based on reports that have been received in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labor, both written and verbal, it is evident that some persons still do not understand the law or simply choose not to adhere to it,” he said. 

The minister pointed to one incident, which he said was reported to his Ministry with extensive documentation, happening on the sister island of Virgin Gorda, at Little Trunk Bay, where he visited with District Representative Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), along with At Large Representative, Hon Shereen D. Flax Charles.

“On Little Trunk Bay Estate, the owner has taken it upon himself to create his own rules for beach access, it is alleged Mr Speaker, and reports have been made that he's attempting to restrict access to the beach.”

Resort owner reportedly harassing beachgoers 

Hon Turnbull added that the property owned also engages in, “Harassing beach users by attempting to police their time spent at the beach [and] Using obscenities towards persons who would confront him or ignore him while trying to access the beach.”

The Minister detailed that the individual in question would also erect illegal signage to restrict parking in the area.

“Mr Speaker, not only is this behavior illegal, but it propagates attitudes about ownership, race and status that we cannot allow. The people of this territory, Mr Speaker, have rights that we must protect. We welcome investment, development and integration, but we do not welcome discrimination,” he said. 

The Minister further pointed to resolution No. 7 of 1989 of the then legislative council, which established that beaches hold a special place in the natural patrimony of the territory and were to be managed to ensure continued traditional free access and use. 

Public has right to access all beaches in VI- Hon Turnbull 

The Minister reminded that the public has a right to occupy the water and the shore of every beach up to the area of land that is owned privately. 

“Mr Speaker, even if a beach is linked to a private property, access must still be provided for public use. All property owners and managers who may be engaged and prevented beach users are asked to cease and desist immediately,” he said.

32 Responses to “VG resort owner warned against blocking access to beach”

  • Election talk (10/03/2023, 07:30) Like (41) Dislike (2) Reply
    So great you made a grandiose speach in the hoa and now both news sites are covering it. You are getting your name in the press during the election cycle. That’s wonderful. But tell me please what exactly are you or anyone else doing about this matter? Are charges being brought? Anyone being fined? I don’t think so. More useless talk from another useless politician tying to get reelection
    • Curious (10/03/2023, 11:44) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      While we discussing beach access - what are you doing about access to Oil Nut Bay, Little Dix Bay, Casey Bay, and the Beaches on Necker, Mosquito, & Eustacia?? While the man out of place, at least you can still walk to Little Valley Trunk without going thru the neighborhood the man live in....
  • Please. Stop (10/03/2023, 07:37) Like (31) Dislike (1) Reply
    Every election season we get these talks making belief like they care.. After election the same practice continues, not a word until election season again..Politicians seem to save every serious issue and concern that will benefit and help the people until months before election
  • hm (10/03/2023, 07:43) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
    This been going on now election around the corner it coming to light? Mehn geh from here with yuh pidde
  • Thats Right ! (10/03/2023, 07:49) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yes its have some folks in Nail Bay as well that has some beach equipment on the beach and they feel its theirs. Not because your house is in front of a beach means that you own the right to it !!
  • DON'T WE HAVE A RIGHT (10/03/2023, 08:11) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    To know who is breaking the law , or are just hearing some noise which is all it is , to make your people believe you all are serious , am just asking ( no offence ) the prince & princess lives over there what have they been doing all these years / besides one double taxing people ~ and the other one ~ ? ????
  • Pvim not for we (10/03/2023, 08:19) Like (9) Dislike (8) Reply
    He and Flax Charles looking vote I will not be fooled
  • The Association (10/03/2023, 08:43) Like (46) Dislike (13) Reply

    Its sad that white people come to a predominately black country to live and still have their racists behaviors. They only harass us blacks. But this is what we allow anyways because in the BVI we always make it easy for whites to take over and do what they want, giving them a sense of superiority. Take it how y’all want but its true.

    • @The Association (10/03/2023, 10:58) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
      You are so right. We have a tragic situation developing in our neighbourhood on the northside of Tortola. One demanded that we do not erect streetlights near his property to infringe on his privacy. The other one has recently literally demarcated part of the public access road, with white markings, as his private parking, while we the black locals are forced to squeeze by in our vehicles. They don't care, once they have exclusive beach views and beach access. Sadly this all happened once we the locals pushed to have our neighbourhood roads paved. These are the issues that Government officials must act on. Why should we be disenfranchsed in our own country!
  • VG (10/03/2023, 08:51) Like (31) Dislike (0) Reply
    L.D.B is one of the biggest culprit.The public entrance next to Thelmas has been blocked for years Butch/Shereen they all know so what now?
  • Poop Stevens (10/03/2023, 09:01) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
    Aye look, I bahn hay and i entitled to go anywhere i wan and do wah I want.
  • VG Resident (10/03/2023, 09:11) Like (16) Dislike (8) Reply
    Beaches are public only to the high water mark , so much of the beach is owned by the home owner.
    • Dig inc (10/03/2023, 13:41) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      That is very interesting! Can you please tell be where’s this high water make? Is it where the highest area the water reaches on the shore or the area of sand that touches the grass or land? Please be mindful that persons should not be denied access to the beach. Whether it’s your land that you bought, barter or confiscated. Finally there are precious few people of color who can or who have land on the beach so its not racist to point out the ethnicity of the person creating problems for beach goers.
    • @vg resident (10/03/2023, 15:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Wrong - it’s up to the vegetation line or a set amount past. Go and read the story that has it in. If you reallly want people off your beach you put the bush at the high water mark but then you have no beach to sit on.
  • Rubber Duck (10/03/2023, 10:24) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply
    So why is the beach at Oil Nut Bay private?
    • @Dubber Ruck (10/03/2023, 18:49) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I waiting on an answer.
    • Beachfront (11/03/2023, 19:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      You can only get to Oil Nut Bay by boat (or unless you're a GREAT swimmer), but I suppose that if you wanted to rent a helicopter and get dropped someplace near the beach, then there would be an "access" issue if you felt you were being unreasonably hindered from hiking to the beach. Other than that, I don't see the issue that you're raising here.
  • residents (10/03/2023, 12:04) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep reporting these owners, who continues these attitude. St. Thomas/St. John have to be constantly police to curb their " it is MINE, beach attitude" The seas always take back what's theirs.
  • Shoo Fly (10/03/2023, 12:08) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    Common sense should also dictate that the beach should be treated with respect and not leave your chicken bones and other discarded items in a manner resembling allyo living area. Loud music too should be omitted.
  • Quiet Warrior (10/03/2023, 15:13) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    The situation persist because it is permitted and persist , for government is a toothless tiger. All beaches are public but do users have to traverse private property to get to the beach? Government should have the process in place to ensure ready access to the beach. If the land don’t want to cooperate to provide access, employ eminent domain for the public good. The BVI needs a strong beach access policy.
  • NezRez (10/03/2023, 16:07) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    As soon as the government finds out someone is blocking the beach, they should send police officials down and have it removed ASAP, if you don’t, that means you are for it. You have to let people know wherever they came from, it is not the same here in the BVI. Tear it down before they can even finish blocking people out. Who in the world do they think they are? Our beaches are not privileged to some, GET IT!
  • Greg (10/03/2023, 16:13) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    THIS is UNACCEPTABLE! Not in my BVI! Take that stupid attitude OUT of HERE! If we don’t stand up now, we will lose it all to IDIOTS who think they are more important than anyone else. NO THEY ARE NOT!
  • Madussa (10/03/2023, 19:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    These rental owners have to stop telling their guests that they have a private beach in front of their rentals. This is just so ignorant when the rental owners can be fined for blocking the beach and should be exposed to the public who they are. If you break the law you have to suffer the consequences. What nerve.
  • Touristy (10/03/2023, 19:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow, all beaches are public? Didn’t get that impression when I was accosted for a fee to step foot on Devis Bay Beach at the bathes. Guess that means you owe some money back to me because all I did was rest on the shore line. The beach up to the high water mark is free according to law? Looks like the national parks is making money for something that is supposed to be free to the public.
  • long (10/03/2023, 19:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This has been happening for decades I remember as a child we use to go enjoy the beaches until these so call investors came and pull a fence or reap across the area we use to walk in on the beaches. Yes we need investors but we don't need their dirty ways and slavery mentality. Them need to get up off our necks and backs.
  • Interesting (10/03/2023, 20:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You come into another man's country, say you are investing and sudden think the beach is yours. Doesn't work that way. There's a Bajan song, 'The beach belong to we.' Somebody pull it up for these fools. Thank you.
  • wake up (11/03/2023, 07:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Gov gets $ per head from tourists who trash the beach but overnight guests who help the economy cannot enjoy certain beaches in peace?
  • Lucky (11/03/2023, 14:48) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    its sad to see how the power of greed and racism has taken over our little country. L.D.B.H for eg. was built for the ppl of vg by Mr. Rocky fellow and here today because of the new owners and staff that really dont know the history of this place.
    the homeowner's association that have that gentleman chasing locals and harassing them from parking and using the beach, we don't need a Mississippi in the bvi. you all need to understand you purchase the land bur you don't own the beaches. in virgin gorda we live as one. stop the discrimination. racism. in our country. we can live as one and be peaceful in this little country. open the gates ans give us access to our beaches.
    locals, when you use the beaches please keep the beaches tidy after use and lets live in harmony.
  • Beachfront (11/03/2023, 19:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    So there are two issues here. One is harassing people who are lawfully on the beach (unacceptable, as is obvious) and while the article's specifics are a bit limited, we don't know just what precipitated any confrontation. If someone was on a beach that ran along my property line and they were littering, yelling loudly or blasting music, I'd be unhappy also but again, we just don't know what went on. If people were there just enjoying themselves and being decent, any property owner who scolds or harasses them is flat-out wrong (and breaking the law).

    The second issue is more murky, and it's what "access" means. For example, can a property owner restrict access across his or her land, and to what extent? The law, as I understand it, requires "reasonable access," but this is problem with vague pronouncements. If people want to use a pathway that is two feet from your bedroom and at all hours of the day or late at night, is that "reasonable?" If two property owners built a pathway on their contiguous boundary and limit people to using it and try to prevent them from traversing another part of either parcel, isn't that "reasonable?"
  • Horse path iam (12/03/2023, 00:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well my peace. Karen in the BVI now?
  • HMMM (14/03/2023, 13:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    what about access to the beach at little bay beside the former COP's house? why is that access blocked? Go take a drive and see what is going on down there.
  • Dunc. (08/08/2024, 09:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Have been coming to Virgin Gorda, since 1998. There has been a very definite move on behalf of resort owners, and private property owners to restrict public access to many of the beaches. When I first arrived, I was assured that all beaches were open to the public, this changed, with some estate and private owners, trying to create exclusivity for themselves, or their guests. I see little or nothing being done to counteract this blatant breaching of the law.


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