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Conch Island: A Testament to Caribbean History and Ecology

Explore the unique Conch Island in Anegada, BVI: a historical landmark formed by discarded shells, offering snorkeling and a glimpse into Caribbean marine life.

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Conch Island, off the coast of Anegada, is a unique landmark formed by centuries of discarded conch shells. These impressive mounds offer a glimpse into the island's history and the Caribbean's marine life.

A brief summary to Conch Island

  • Monday 7 am-5 am
  • Tuesday 7 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 7 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 7 am-5 pm
  • Friday 7 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 7 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 7 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Bring snorkeling gear to explore the marine life that thrives around the conch mounds.
  • Hire a local tour guide for a boat ride to Conch Island and learn about its history and ecology.
  • Combine your visit to Conch Island with other Anegada attractions like Loblolly Bay or Cow Wreck Beach.
  • Respect the environment by not removing any shells from the island.
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Getting There

  • Boat

    Conch Island is accessible by boat from Setting Point, Anegada's main arrival point. Several local tour operators offer excursions to the island. Negotiate a round-trip fare with a local boat operator. Boat tours typically cost around $40-$60 per person and often include snorkeling gear.

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Discover more about Conch Island

Conch Island, also known as the Conch Shell Mounds, is a striking and unusual attraction located just off the eastern shore of Anegada in the British Virgin Islands. These mounds aren't natural formations but rather a gradually accumulated collection of discarded conch shells, a testament to centuries of fishing practices in the region. For hundreds of years, possibly dating back to the Arawak people, fishermen have been discarding empty conch shells in this area. Over time, these shells piled up, creating substantial mounds that rise from the shallow waters, some reaching as high as 12 feet. The practice of discarding shells in a specific location may have originated as a way to manage waste and also potentially influence the movement of living conch, as they tend to avoid areas with many empty shells. Today, Conch Island offers visitors a unique opportunity to witness a human-influenced landscape that has inadvertently become an ecological haven. The piles of shells provide shelter and nursery grounds for various marine species, including nurse sharks, stingrays, and turtles. Exploring the island and surrounding waters offers excellent opportunities for snorkeling, photography, and learning about the life cycle of the conch, a significant symbol of Caribbean marine life. While the island is a reminder of the conch's importance as a food source, it also highlights the need for sustainable fishing practices to ensure the conch population thrives for generations to come.

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