Is The Buccaneer trying to keep locals off their beach?

It does not mean they have to provide a road or parking. Nothing is stopping anyone from walking.

I agree that they don't have to provide parking, but CZM appears to mandate the road:

The CZM Program, through its permitting process, does not allow commercial building on
the Territory’s shorelines without first securing an easement for public access to the shorelines.

It's ambiguous, though, with regards to whether the "easement" means "the right to access by car" or "the right to access by foot".

I got some clarification of the Buccaneer's Beach Policy:

1) There is no charge to use the beach. If you park at the Gate by the golf clubhouse and walk in, or if you get dropped off, there is no fee. You can sit on your towel / the sand, swim etc.....no charge.

2) Parking down by the Mermaid and use of restrooms / showers is $5 per person.

3) if you want to rent a Chaise Lounge, the fee is $10 (which includes a beach chair cover/towel).

Sounds reasonable / similar to what other resorts charge in the VI / around the world.

LOL! Someone needs to inform the gate guards, then, as walk-ins do get charged.

I have been off island since May 2015. I have never been charged to go to the beach at the Buccaneer but I always say we are going to the Mermaid to eat. We sit in their chairs on the beach and have never been charged. I have never been charged to go to the Shoys beach but have only gone there 3 times in 10 years. I have always been charged a fee to go to hotel on the Cay for the ferry but never charged to use the table and chairs to eat but they do charge for the lounge chairs. Maybe things have changed since May. I don't know.

What does the complete act say?

VI legislature, Title 12, Chapter 10: "Open Shorelines"
http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/vicode/

Additionally, Title 12, Chapter 21: "Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management" is applicable.

Thought this stuff only happened in Malibu. Public access is just that, no fees for the use of the beach and property owner must maintain that access, just part of the deal.

I worked there for a bit and it is no wonder there are always openings, with all that money they charge to sit on the beach one would think they would have a functional, clean organized kitchen. Not the case! I agree it is not right to have to pay that fee to sit on the beach.

Not the case! I agree it is not right to have to pay that fee to sit on the beach.

Which is still debatable as there have been very contradictory reports on this thread, most appearing to confirm that the resort is NOT charging people to walk through its property to the beach. A parking fee is not a beach use fee. A chair fee is not a beach use fee.

In the past, I've been charged $4 and $6, when driving thru the gate, when I told them I was going to the Mermaid to eat lunch.

The problem I have with this is that they don't know if I am going to use the beach, or not.
Or whether I am going to use a chair.

So some people might eat at the restaurant, not use a chair, and still get charged.

I think 2 things would help immensely in this situation:
1. They should charge at the beach, for the use of the chairs
2. if they don't charge at the beach, a receipt from the Mermaid should result in a refund of the chair fee. I think anyone who pays for lunch (not just a drink) should be reimbursed for the chair fee.

It might be best if the fees policy are posted at the entrance by management. There would be less confusion as to what you're paying for.

To whom do the chairs belong? If they belong to the hotel, then you do not have any sort of "right" to use the chairs. Is the restaurant owned by the hotel or is it a concession? They might not have any thing to do with the chairs.They charge something like $25 for parking at Caneel, not sure why people think parking on private property should be free...

1. In the past, I've been charged $4 and $6, when driving thru the gate, when I told them I was going to the Mermaid to eat lunch.
2. They should charge at the beach, for the use of the chairs
3. if they don't charge at the beach, a receipt from the Mermaid should result in a refund of the chair fee. I think anyone who pays for lunch (not just a drink) should be reimbursed for the chair fee.

1. You're paying a parking fee not an access to the beach fee.
2. Most resorts do exactly that. Resort guests show some sort of ID as the use of the chairs is included in their room charge and non-guests either pay for chairs or aren't allowed to use them and have to bring their own.
3. Disagree. You buy a meal you eat a meal - no reason why a beach chair should be part of the package and this isn't the industry norm. Some resorts will refund the parking fee if you go to their restaurant. Caneel on STJ charges non-guests $20 to park on their property but you can redeem that $20 on site at either their open-to-the public restaurant or their gift shop.

The reason a beach chair should be included is because they offer service on the Beach. So when I sit in that beach chair and order food and drink I expected it to be included. The Buc has the right to charge as they wish. I have the right not to support them. Between what I spent there on a monthly basis and the people I bought down and had them stay there I brought in over 50K for them. If they wish to lose that over a beach chair it's their choice.

If you dont want to pay, dont go! Or walk from the road for free. You are paying to use their park ing lot and probably the toilet too. I dont even think it is that great of a beach..plenty of other great, free beaches on island. If I go there, its to enjoy the luxury of the seating and restaurant/ drink service and in that case, I should expect to pay.
All the resorts have the same problem...carambola, divi, palms, chenay bay etc... they are all agrivated but because of the way bucanner is situated...they are able to charge...good for them, they should.

OT said:
1. You're paying a parking fee not an access to the beach fee.

You should NOT have to pay to park to eat at a restaurant!!! That's ridiculous.

I stand by my statement that the refund should be given at the gate. If I use the beach chair, then I guess I should be charged, but if I eat at the restaurant and don't use a beach chair, I should be refunded the parking fee.

The reason a beach chair should be included is because they offer service on the Beach. So when I sit in that beach chair and order food and drink I expected it to be included.

Yet the OP said, " ... and not once would they come around and take our drink orders, we had to walk to the bar each time."

What a major storm in a tiny teacup and such contradictory experiences. I agree with the previous poster - don't go there if their policy irks you so much. Not like it's the only beach on the island ...

OT said:
1. You're paying a parking fee not an access to the beach fee.

You should NOT have to pay to park to eat at a restaurant!!! That's ridiculous.

I stand by my statement that the refund should be given at the gate. If I use the beach chair, then I guess I should be charged, but if I eat at the restaurant and don't use a beach chair, I should be refunded the parking fee.

Then take it up with management.

I don't go anymore, and agreed the beach is not that good. Shoy's, around the corner, is much better.

However they have lost out on my business now because I don't go eat there anymore. $4 or $6 was one thing, but if they now charge $15 that's ridiculous.

I agree they should post the rates clearly at the guard gate. If anyone at the Buccaneer is reading this thread they should care, because when tourist season is over, they probably could use some local business in the low season.

Not the case! I agree it is not right to have to pay that fee to sit on the beach.

Which is still debatable as there have been very contradictory reports on this thread, most appearing to confirm that the resort is NOT charging people to walk through its property to the beach. A parking fee is not a beach use fee. A chair fee is not a beach use fee.

Not debatable for me. I'm wondering how many people "confirming" have actually tried it. I was charged walking through the gate. I had parked in the golf lot before the gate so my husband could easily toss his clubs in the car before meeting me for lunch. (And yes I told them I was having lunch, but sitting on the beach until my husband was through. I had my portable beach chair slung over my back. So I couldn't very well have lied about the beach part that time).

Thanks for the info watruw8ing4, that sucks they charged you for a parking fee! haha (since OT knows best.)

Thanks for the info watruw8ing4, that sucks they charged you for a parking fee! haha (since OT knows best.)

Yep. Paid to hike up the hill and park my butt on my chair for an hour. We had lunch there that day, and I didn't even use the bathroom, since I had hand sanitizer with me! That was the last time I ever went. Won't even take out of town guests there, or to the Terrace for dinner anymore. Husband just gave them his golf membership check. They wouldn't even get that if I had my say. 🙂

1. You're paying a parking fee not an access to the beach fee.

You do not live on St. Croix, and are unaware of the policies of the Buccaneer. Yet, you have been the most active poster in this thread spewing falsehoods and engaging in your typical bootlicking apologist nonsense. Many of us have been charged in the same way to even enter the winding road down to the Mermaid.

You do not live on St. Croix, and are unaware of the policies of the Buccaneer. Yet, you have been the most active poster in this thread spewing falsehoods and engaging in your typical bootlicking apologist nonsense. Many of us have been charged in the same way to even enter the winding road down to the Mermaid.

When you've finished shooting from the hip and spewing invectives you might also note that my whole thrust has been to check with CZM, check with management, - address the concerns at the source instead of indulging in a continual and contradictory back and forth which does nothing to resolve whatever issue there might be.

Haha, what a pistackle! (thank you OT for enhancing my vocabulary).
By reading this thread, the wanna-be-transplants might get an impression that the biggest problem on STX is the shortage of beach chairs.

not the shortage of, but the cost of

not the shortage of, but the cost of

Right. Never mind the cost of electricity -- it's the cost of chairs that drains your bank account. Nightmare in paradise!