Boaty Ball Tips in the BVI
If you’ve ever chartered in the British Virgin Islands, you already know that finding the perfect mooring can shape the entire rhythm of your day. A calm anchorage, easy access ashore, and a sunset view that feels effortless; that is what BVI sailing is all about. In recent years, Boaty Ball has become an important part of that experience, helping visiting sailors secure moorings in some of the most popular bays across the islands.
Whether you’re new to the BVI or returning for another Sunsail adventure, understanding how Boaty Ball works and how to use it correctly can make your charter smoother, more flexible, and far less stressful. Here’s our practical guide to Boaty Ball in the BVI, with tips to help you make the most of your time on the water.
What is Boaty Ball?
Boaty Ball is a web-based reservation and payment system designed specifically for boaters cruising the Virgin Islands. Instead of relying solely on first-come-first-served moorings or dropping anchor, Boaty Ball allows you to reserve certain mooring balls in advance, pay digitally, and arrive knowing you have a spot waiting for you.
In the BVI, Boaty Ball is primarily used for overnight moorings in high-demand bays—places where everyone wants to be when the afternoon sun dips low and the dinghies start heading ashore for dinner. While Boaty Ball also operates in parts of the USVI, this guide focuses on how it’s used throughout the British Virgin Islands.
Think of Boaty Ball as a planning tool. It doesn’t remove the spontaneity of island hopping, but it does give you more control over where you’ll spend the night, especially during busy seasons.
How to Get Set up Before you Sail?
A smooth Boaty Ball experience starts before you ever leave the dock. Setting up your account ahead of your Sunsail charter saves time and avoids last-minute scrambling when you’re already underway.
You’ll create an account online at boatyball.com, confirm your email, and add two essential things to your profile: your charter boat details and a payment method. The system requires that your vessel be marked as “current” in your profile, so double-check this step before your trip begins. (You can enter “Sunsail Charter” until you know the name of your vessel upon arrival at the base). Payments are handled securely through Stripe, which means transactions are quick and familiar for most travelers.
Once this is done, you’re ready to start reserving moorings as you cruise—no paperwork, no cash exchanges, and no guessing who manages which buoy.
What Types of Boaty Ball Moorings are in the BVI?
One of the most important things to grasp is that not all Boaty Ball moorings work the same way. In the BVI, you’ll encounter three main categories, each with its own rules and purpose.
Reservable Moorings
These are the most talked-about Boaty Balls, and for good reason. Reservable mooring balls can be booked in advance through the app or website and are clearly marked on the water. In popular bays, these are often the key to a relaxed afternoon sail, knowing you don’t have to rush in to beat the crowd.
These mooring balls become available each morning and are booked on a nightly basis. In the app these moorings are marked in orange. (If you see grey moorings on the map, it means these have already been reserved). Once reserved, that specific mooring ball is yours for the night, with standard midday check-in and check-out times. If your plans change, cancellations can be managed directly in your account, subject to the posted terms.
Just as important as reserving one is using it correctly: only tie up to the exact mooring you’ve booked. This isn’t just good etiquette, it’s essential to keeping the system fair and functional for everyone.
First Come, First Serve Moorings
Not every Boaty Ball mooring requires advance planning. First come, first served (FCFS) moorings work more traditionally: you arrive, secure the boat, and then log in to pay digitally. These moorings are identified in blue within the Boaty Ball system but don’t need to be reserved ahead of time. In real life these moorings balls are white with orange Boaty Ball stickers.
This option is great for days when you want flexibility or when you arrive early enough to choose your spot in the bay. Just be sure you’re actually tied to a Boaty Ball–managed mooring before paying—some bays include a mix of private, park, and Boaty Ball buoys.
Day-Use-Only Moorings
Day-use moorings are typically found near dive sites and snorkel spots rather than overnight anchorages. They have a reflective yellow stripe, are designed for short stays, and offer a way to support the local organizations that maintain these sites through optional donations. Day-use moorings appear in yellow in the app.
While these aren’t meant for overnight use, they’re a fantastic resource for midday adventures, especially when exploring wrecks or reefs during a leisurely sail.
Where to Find Boaty Ball Moorings in the BVI?
Boaty Ball moorings are concentrated in some of the BVI’s most iconic cruising grounds, making them especially relevant to Sunsail BVI itineraries. You’ll find reservable and FCFS options near places like:
- Cooper Island
- Virgin Gorda (including Leverick Bay and Saba Rock)
- Jost Van Dyke (Great Harbour, Little Harbour, Diamond Cay, and more)
- Tortola (Cane Garden Bay and Soper’s Hole)
- Scrub Island and Marina Cay
- Anegada’s Setting Point
These locations are popular for good reason—easy approaches, protected waters, and excellent shore access—so demand can be high, particularly during peak season.
How Much Does it Cost to Use a Mooring Ball in the BVI?
Fees vary depending on the type of mooring and how you pay. Within the Boaty Ball system, reservable moorings, the ones you book in advance through the app, typically cost around $55 USD per night, giving you the peace of mind of a guaranteed spot in popular anchorages. First come, first served Boaty Ball moorings, which you pay for after you’ve tied up, usually range from about $30 to $40 USD per night depending on location and demand. In addition to these Boaty Ball–managed options, there are traditional mooring balls throughout the BVI maintained by local operators, marinas, or community groups that usually charge around $30–$40 USD per night when paid locally.
How to Successfully Reserve a Boaty Ball?
Timing matters. Reservable moorings in the BVI open each morning at a set time (usually 7 a.m.), and in busy bays they can be claimed quickly. Logging in right when reservations open gives you the widest selection, but it’s not the only strategy.
Once you select an available mooring ball, you’ll have a short 4-minute-window to complete payment. If payment isn’t finalized in time, the mooring returns to the pool. This means that even if your first choice disappears instantly, it’s worth checking again a few minutes later—availability can change quickly.
After booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email, and the reserved mooring will be clearly marked in your account. This confirmation is your proof, so keep it handy.
What Tips Are There for Using Boaty Ball Correctly?
A few smart habits can make Boaty Ball work even better for your BVI charter:
- Be flexible early in your trip. Starting midweek or choosing a quieter bay on your first night often makes reservations easier and sets a relaxed tone for the rest of your itinerary.
- Consider inner moorings. They’re sometimes overlooked but can be calmer and easier to secure than those on the outskirts of the moorings field.
- Double-check the buoy number. Especially with reservable moorings, matching the correct number avoids confusion and conflict.
- Respect the system. Never tie up to a reserved mooring unless it’s yours—this keeps relationships positive between charter guests, operators, and local partners.
- Use FCFS when it makes sense. Not every night needs to be reserved in advance; balance planning with spontaneity.
Boaty Ball has become a valuable part of sailing in the British Virgin Islands, especially for charter guests who want a balance of freedom and certainty. Used thoughtfully, it takes the pressure off busy afternoons and lets you focus on what really matters: sailing beautiful waters, discovering island favorites, and enjoying unhurried evenings aboard.
With a little preparation and a flexible mindset, Boaty Ball fits seamlessly into the Sunsail way of exploring the BVI: easy, rewarding, and designed to keep your time on the water exactly where it belongs.
Did You Know?
Using mooring balls isn’t just convenient in the BVI—it’s also one of the most environmentally responsible ways to stop for the night. Dropping anchor can damage fragile coral reefs and seagrass beds if the anchor or chain drags, sometimes causing harm that takes years to recover. Mooring balls cannot simply be put anywhere. They are installed in carefully selected locations using permanent systems designed to minimize impact on the seabed, helping protect the very ecosystems that make the BVI such a spectacular place to sail. Moorings are only installed where seabed conditions, depth, swing room, and environmental considerations make them appropriate, and their placement is typically approved and managed by local authorities or marine conservation groups. This thoughtful planning ensures boats can safely secure themselves while preserving reefs, marine life, and water quality for future sailors, making mooring balls a win for both cruising comfort and conservation.
While not all popular cruising stops are equipped with Boaty Balls, many still have mooring balls available for visiting sailors. White Bay on Jost Van Dyke, for example, has 8-10 balls on each the eastern and western side of the bay. These mooring balls are privately owned by local bars and payment is collected by representatives of Ivan’s (eastern side) or Soggy Dollar (western side). Whether these mooring balls are suitable for overnight stays will depend on the conditions that day. In general, we recommend mooring in the safer Great Harbour Bay nearby and taking a short dinghy ride or taxi over to White Bay during the day.
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Contributor
Tina Huewe
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