Cooper Island: Sir Francis Drake Channel Gem
Alexandra
Cooper Island moorings, access and immediate logistics
Cooper Island sits in the Sir Francis Drake Channel with Manchioneel Bay offering a protected mooring field of approximately 30 mooring balls and two dinghy docks, making it a straightforward tactical stop for sailing charters or private yachts transiting the central BVI chain. The bay’s shelter from the prevailing trade winds provides secure short-term layups for lunch, happy hour, or overnight stays, and the island’s shore infrastructure allows skippers to plan tight turnarounds without extended tender runs.
Practical berthing and shore access
Yachts normally pick up mooring balls; dinghies may raft to one of the two small docks or use the sandy beach for crew transfer. The Department of Conservation & Fisheries monitors sea grass inside Manchioneel Bay as a habitat priority, so captains should brief crews on mooring etiquette and restricted anchoring areas to avoid damage to the seagrass beds. Ice is available at the main bar for reprovisioning, and free Wi‑Fi coverage at the Beach Club simplifies last‑minute weather or routing checks.
FACILITIES AT COOPER ISLAND
- 30 mooring balls and two dinghy docks
- Ice available at the main bar
- Coffee and ice-cream shop (The Coffee Box)
- Microbrewery and New Rum Bar
- Sea Grape Boutique and small retail
- Free WiFi and beachfront restaurant
- Sail Caribbean Divers base and dive services
- Solar-powered island operations
- Garbage removal coordinated via local charter operators
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Moorings | 30 mooring balls; rafting to dinghy docks available |
| Electricity | Island runs entirely on solar power |
| Food & Drink | Beachfront restaurant (lunch/dinner), Rum Bar, microbrewery |
| Services | Coffee shop, boutique, dive operator, garbage service |
| Conservation | Sea grass monitoring site (important marine habitat) |
Dining, atmosphere and overnight options
The renovated Cooper Island Beach Club positions its deck and lounge westward for unobstructed Caribbean sunsets, with a casual dress code (please cover swimwear in the restaurant). Meals are structured around predictable service windows—lunch typically served midday and dinner in the early evening—while happy hour specials make the site a popular daystop for charters. The resort maintains a small number of eco-luxe bungalows for guests who want to extend a charter stay.
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The Coffee Box on site supplies freshly made coffee, house ice cream and gelato for mid-morning breaks between waypoints. The New Rum Bar & Microbrewery’s stock (hundreds of varieties) is a notable draw and functions as a convivial meeting point for crews and guests.
Snorkeling and diving logistics
Cistern Point and nearby shallows provide reliable snorkeling, often with sightings of Hawksbill turtles grazing on the seagrass. Dive excursions frequently stage from Cooper Island: non-divers can remain ashore while dive teams take certified divers to nearby Salt Island and the famed Wreck Alley, where the intentionally sunk cargo vessels Marie L, Pat and Beata create dramatic reefs and marine life habitats. Captains planning dive runs should coordinate with local dive operators like Sail Caribbean Divers for mooring ball handoffs and pickup windows.
Conservation, sustainability and local operations
Cooper Island operates on a solar-first energy model, minimizing diesel usage and reducing the island’s operational footprint. The presence of sea grass monitoring highlights the local focus on marine health—operators and guests should avoid disturbing seagrass and heed signage about hazardous flora such as the Manchineel tree (fruit is poisonous).
Garbage removal and island servicing are often coordinated by local charter and transfer operators. Skippers should brief crews on what can be left ashore and plan to use sanctioned disposal options to support the island’s sustainable operations.
How Cooper Island fits into a charter itinerary
- Ideal midday stop for transits along the Sir Francis Drake Channel.
- Overnight option for couples or families seeking a beachfront resort experience.
- Dive staging point for nearby wrecks and reef walls, minimizing tender time.
- Reprovisioning point for light supplies, specialty items and socializing.
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Start planning your next seaside adventure and make sure to book the best boat and yacht rentals with GetBoat before the opportunity sails away! The immediate forecast for this local development is modest: Cooper Island remains a regional attraction rather than a global tourism game-changer, but its continued investment in hospitality and sustainable operations reinforces the BVI’s appeal to charter markets. For skippers and planners, that means predictable stopovers, dependable moorings and more options for curated on‑water activities.
Summary: Cooper Island combines practical mooring infrastructure, reef and wreck diving access, and a small resort ambiance to form a reliable waypoint for charters and private yachts. The protected Manchioneel Bay with its 30 mooring balls, two dinghy docks, and solar-powered operations supports both day visits and overnight stays. On-water activities include snorkeling with Hawksbill turtles, diving at Wreck Alley (Marie L, Pat, Beata), and easy provisioning at onsite food and beverage outlets. Whether you’re arranging a captained charter or a bareboat itinerary, Cooper Island’s predictable facilities and conservation focus make it a valuable stop on any Sir Francis Drake Channel route. For those seeking to charter a yacht, rent a boat, or explore destinations with clearwater bays, marinas and varied yachting activities, GetBoat.com provides a global, user-friendly solution for booking boats, yachts and sailboats with transparency on make, model and ratings—book confidently and Sail on.
