BVI Base Guide
About the Marina | Cruising Grounds | Around the Base | Provisioning | Things to Do | Water Toys & Sports
Whether this is your fifth trip or the first of many, we want you to feel at home when you're at a Moorings base. At Wickhams Cay II, we welcome you to explore the base amenities in Road Town before boarding and setting sail from Tortola.
About the Marina
Address
The Moorings
Wickhams Cay II
PO Box 139, Road Town
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Base Hours
The base is open from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, seven days a week (evening staff to cover until all flights have arrived).
July – September: our hours are 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Marina Facilities
Bar, Coffee Shop, Restaurant
24 Hour Security
Cable TV & WiFi Internet
Laundry (for a fee)
Restrooms & Showers
Allamanda Gallery
Mariner Yacht Club Hotel
Dock Facilities
Bow Moorings
Fuel Dock
Cruising Grounds
Experience Level
A formal sailing license is not mandatory to charter here. A completed Sailing or Power resume is required to ensure you have the necessary experience required to charter yourself.
Cruising Area
Sailing lanes are generally open; however, the National Parks Trust protects a number of reefs and sailing areas. Download The Moorings' BVI Charter eGuide here.
Cruising Area Restrictions
It is strictly forbidden to sail alone, we require a two-person minimum on board.
Charts & Pilot Books
All the charts and pilot books you will need for the sailing area are issued at your chart briefing.
Nighttime Sailing
You must be moored at least one hour before sunset. Night Sailing is not allowed without permission from the base manager. The decision to allow night sailing is based on your skill level and can be requested in advance. You will need to fill out the Sailing or Power resume for the base to review but we cannot guarantee approval.
Cruising Permits & Taxes
Cruising taxes and a Marine Parks permit are included in your yacht charter cost.
Please Note: If you enter The Baths by land, you must take your permit from your charter documents with you or you will be charged an additional entrance fee of $3 USD for adults and $2 USD per child.
Moorings Fees & Taxes
Moor Seacure Ltd. manages moorings balls throughout the BVI. Mooring fees are charged nightly (typically $30 USD per night). Boaty-Ball.com also manages reserved mooring balls in select BVI destinations. Please visit Boaty-Ball.com to check availability.
Marinas
Fuel, waste and oil disposal services are normally found at larger harbors and marinas, such as: Nanny Cay, Road Town, Hodges Creek, Leverick Bay, and Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour. Other outlets that provide water, ice and a wide variety of provisions can be found at Cane Garden Bay, Trellis Bay, Penn's Landing, Jost Van Dyke, and other locations throughout the islands. Note: Moorings yachts at the Tortola Base are provided with navigation charts for the British Virgin Islands cruising area only.
Nanny Cay Resort and Marina
Penn's Landing
Marinas - Virgin Gorda
Leverick Bay Resort
Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour
Around the Base
Accommodations
Mariner Yacht Club Hotel (Tortola)
Nanny Cay Resort and Marina (Tortola)
Leverick Bay Resort (Virgin Gorda)
Maria's By The Sea
Treasure Isle Hotel
Nanny Cay Hotel
Banks
Scotiabank, Chase Manhattan, CIBC (will exchange foreign currencies) and Banco Popular.
Open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Post Office
Located on Blackburn Highway in Road Town.
Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Dining
Brandywine - approximately 15-minute taxi ride
Bananakeet - approximately 25-minute taxi ride
Pusser’s - approximately 5-minute taxi ride
Provisioning
The Moorings Provisioning
Online Provisioning is available. Order your provisioning in advance and enjoy more time on the water. Online orders must be placed 14 days prior to your departure date.
Visit our online BVI Provisioning Store
Moorings Care packages are included on every yacht. These packages contain some of the basics to get you started for your vacation.
There are also a number of grocery stores within walking distance, or a short car ride, from the base which you can use as long as you follow current travel restrictions, for example Riteway Supermarket, One Stop Superstore, Bobby's Supermarket, and The Ample Hamper. Hours of operation vary based on the day of the week as well whether it’s the low or high season, so be sure to call your desired store ahead of time.
Things to Do
Shopping
Allamanda Gallery
The Allamanda Gallery showcases the photographic artwork of Amanda Baker, who has been capturing the British Virgin Islands (in all its hues) since her arrival as delivery crew on a Moorings 432 in 1988. After ten years of owner, operating a private charter boat based in Tortola, she launched Virgin Portraits Photography and opened the first “Allamanda Gallery” in 2007 in Road Town. In July 2021, she opened Allamanda Gallery #5 located opposite Charlie’s at The Moorings base, offering an array of prints, books & souvenirs, as well as customizable metal prints, canvases and beautiful scenic photographs all available to ship worldwide. Unique teak framing and creative displays are her forte’.
Tours
Take a tour of the island
Explore the cruising ground from high up in the mountains. Hire a taxi and go for a drive through many of the steep hills.
Brandywine Bay
Taxi out to this Tortola restaurant for one of the best fine dining experiences in the BVI. With stunning views, lush décor and a mouthwatering array of Mediterranean cuisine, Brandywine is an excellent setting for celebrating a special occasion or simply commemorating your first or last night in Tortola. Popular menu items include Moules a la Mariniere (steamed mussels in white wine), lobster and fennel salad, lamb shank and filet mignon.
Explore North Shore
Take a taxi out to the north shore and explore an array of beautifully secluded beaches like Smuggler’s Cove and Long Bay Beach.
Zipline
Gear up, lock in and whiz through the hills overlooking Tortola on a fun-filled zip line tour. It’s a thrilling experience that’s perfect for the entire family. Front desk reception can arrange zip line excursions for customers as needed.
Water Toys & Sports
For your convenience, you can add water toys to your charter prior to arrival at the base. They will be waiting on your boat upon arrival. You are able to rent these at the base; please keep in mind that we have limited availability. For more information, please view our Water Sports Options.
Scuba Diving
The Moorings dive partner, Sail Caribbean Divers is a PADI 5-star dive company in the British Virgin Islands and is located at our base. They offer rendezvous excursions to any one of the BVI 73 official dive sites, as well as equipment rentals, instructional courses and more. Sail Caribbean Divers has four custom dive boats ranging from 26’ to 46’. They can accommodate parties from 6 to 24 people per boat.
If you are interested in an unforgettable diving experience, please visit Daily Dive Trips – Sail Caribbean Divers to see prices and instructions on how to book. If you have any queries regarding the diving packages on offer, please email [email protected].
Rendezvous DivingChoose from a variety of options and arrange a meet-up at any of the locations listed below. SCD will bring their custom dive boat(s) and everything you need for a safe and fun scuba excursion.
Discover Scuba – for those who do not have certification
2 tank dive AM or PM & 1 tank dive PM – must show certification, must bring it with you
Pick up locations for Rendevouz Diving:
Cooper Island
Marina Cay
Norman Island
Trellis Bay
Mariner Yacht Club (our base)
Snorkeling
The Moorings is unable to provide masks and snorkels to our customers at this time however they are available for purchase at the base for $25 per set. The base will continue to provide fins to all customers.
Fishing
If you plan to fish in the BVI, you will need to obtain your recreational fishing licence directly from Sail Caribbean. For instructions on how to apply for a fishing permit, please visit Fishing Permits – Sail Caribbean Divers.
Please take note on the following:
- Once granted the fishing permit, it is only valid for one month.
- Taking lobster and spearfishing (any method) are prohibited.
- It is illegal to have bill fish in one’s possession or to have more than 30lbs by weight in one’s possession per boat.
- Sail Caribbean Divers offer spinning rods and trolling rods for daily and weekly rental.
Please see the rental reservations form and pricing: SCD RENTAL RESERVATION FORM – WC2 MARINER INN & MARINA (sailcaribbeandivers.com). Send your rental forms to [email protected]. If you have any queries about fishing licences, please email [email protected]
For more information on what's included on your yacht, please view the full list here for Bareboat Charters or here for Crewed Charters.