Situated at the western end of Tortola is Smugglers Cove, one of the most treasured places on the island. Smugglers is a very special place for many, many people, locals and tourists alike. Local families flock to the beach to hold barbeques, swim and snorkel in the crystal clear waters along with vacationers. In October 2006 the BVI Government granted a development company the rights to purchase a rather large portion of Smugglers Cove, after their development plans have been approved.

Late January 2007 a meeting was held at the west end community center where the government planning department chaired the meeting and spelled out the process with which the government goes about approving such a development. The second presentation was by the developer who showed a slide show of where the land to be utilized was located and showed photos of a development that they have in Nevis, www.villaparadisonevis.com mentioning what this development would be patterned after. Residents of the area were allowed to air their views on the development, made the third presentation.

Needless to say the residents views were pretty much against the development stating that it was way too large for such a small area. Environmental issues as well as artifacts from the early inhabitants and archeology diggings that take place in the area would be totally disrupted. As of this date, it is still unclear to the people of the BVI what is going to happen to Smugglers Cove, but the people are calling out for the area be purchased by the government and be declared a National Park. The government in 2001 and in 2005 was in the process of studying this possibility but has since changed its tune. Time will tell what happens, the people have voiced their opinions, and the government has theirs so we will have to see who prevails. Residents have formed a non-profit organization called the BVI Heritage Conservation Group www.bvihcg.com.