by Sailorman Chuck

Caribbean Adventures

Anchor/Mooring

Anchoring

There are many magnificent anchorage locations in the Virgin Islands. Make sure to check your chart that is provided by your charter company. They will indicate anchorage and mooring locations that are for overnight and day only use. The cruising guides will also indicate the better overnight anchorage locations. Make sure to check for bottom conditions and for wave action associated with the current wind conditions. Some anchorage locations can be very uncomfortable due to wind driven wave action. Other locations may cause you to have a restless night due to poor holding conditions. Remember, you are supposed to be enjoying a relaxing and fun cruise.

 

Caution:

It is always a good idea to check your anchor to make sure that it is properly set. Swim over your anchor and rode using your dive mask to visually check the set. When properly set, the only part of your anchor that you should see is the chain emerging from the sandy bottom or possibly the shank of the anchor. No flukes should be visible.

 

Mooring Buoys and Fees

There are nice mooring buoys at overnight anchorage sites and at most snorkeling/diving locations. Some are free for day use and there is a fee for overnight mooring. Make sure to know which moorings are for general use and which are for government or commercial use. A rule of thumb is that a white buoy with a dark blue ring around it is for general use and there may be a fee for overnight mooring. A red buoy with a blue ring should indicate a day use only mooring. An orange or yellow buoy is likely for government or commercial use. Make sure to ask your charter company about mooring use prior to departing the dock.

 

Another Caution:

It is also a good idea to check the condition of your mooring. It is fairly common for a boater to power over the mooring. This can damage the tether or the main mooring line by striking it with the propeller. If you find that you are going to pass over a mooring, put the engine in neutral and allow the boat to clear the mooring.

 

Favorite Anchorage/Mooring Locations

BVI Anchorage

The Bight, Norman Island

Deadman's Bay                                         

Manchioneel Bay                                                                                           

Road Harbor Tortola                                

Little Jost Van Dyke                                           

The Baths, Virgin Gorda                                                   

Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda                                  

Marina Cay

Salt Island

Cane Garden Bay, Tortola

Great Harbor, Jost Van Dyke

Green Cay

Beef Island, Trellis Bay

 

USVI Anchorage – St. john

Francis Bay

Maho Bay                                                   

Hawksnest Bay                                       

Cruz Bay                                            

Salt Pond Bay                                    

Hurricane Hole

Leinster Bay                                       

Salt Pond Bay    

Hylas 54 moored at Salt Pond Bay, St. John, USVI.

      Somewhere in the Caribbean or

        Contact Sailorman Chuck:

E-mail: Sailorman Chuck