With more than 40 anchorages and 200 comments listed on Navily in Saint-Vincent and the Grenadines, we have plenty of heavenly destinations for you to discover!
Each year more and more adventurers set out to conquer these magnificent islands. From the effervescence of Saint-Vincent, to the calm of the lost and inhabited islets of one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world, let’s go on a trip to the most beautiful anchorages of Saint-Vincent and the Grenadines.
Best anchorages in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines : A wild feeling
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an archipelago that stretches to the eastern end of the Caribbean, stopping 200km from Venezuelan coasts. The main island of Saint-Vincent is home to the capital Kingston and concentrates most of the population. To the south, the famous Tobago Cays form spectacular islands protected by a coral reef teeming with life. This is a paradise for sea turtles, reef sharks (or whatever remains of them) and recreational divers. These islands, most of which are inhabited or private, constitute a perfect playground for boaters. Coral reef, lost islets, sandy beaches and tropical greenery, SVGs have a myriad of wonders for you to discover.
Navigating conditions in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
The climate in the Grenadines is recognised as one of the most pleasant for yachting! You will cruise the islands comfortably from top to bottom in 20 knot trade winds, over crystal clear water that rarely drops below 24 degrees. Generally the winds during the winter months tend to be more northeast 15-25 knots and summer months 10-20 knots southeast.
Temperatures vary little throughout the year with highs of 28 ° C (82 ° F) between December and March and 31 ° C (88 ° F) in summer. Although there is a dry season which runs from January to May, and a “rainy season” from June to December, the weather in the Grenadines is usually very sunny with only a few scattered showers during the day.
Thanks to these wonderful sailing conditions, a cruise in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is perfectly suited for couples, family or friends!
Young Island - Saint-Vincent
Located in the south of the main island of Saint Vincent, the anchorage of Long Island offers a typical caribbean setting and all the amenities for a comfortable and pleasant stopover. A quarantine paradise during COVID-19, many boaters on Navily have experienced Young Island; apparently not a bad place to be confined 😉
Protected from winds from North to South via the East, the anchorage offers a comfortable hold in 5 to 6 meters of sand (the east of the anchorage is preferable, less rolly). During COVID-19, anchoring is not allowed and you will have to attach to one of the thirty buoys available for a price of US $ 20 / night.
The setting is idyllic! Immersed in turquoise waters, the coast is outlined in green mountains bordered by a fine arm of white sand. To the south, offering natural protection, Young Island and the rock of Fort Duvernette are great places to discover and soak up the peaceful atmosphere of the archipelago.
You will also enjoy access to all the amenities of the island. In fact, located 20 minutes by bus from the capital Kingston, it is a perfect base for discovering Saint-Vincent; its Creole culture, its wild fauna or its extraordinary volcanic history (Soufriere volcano).
Baliceaux South-West
South-east of Baliceaux, in a protected bay, lies this exceptional anchorage, often snubbed by the crowds. The island’s bay offers fair protection to winds from the northeast to the southeast by the east. The anchorage is however rolly in easterly swells, but remains pleasant for a few nights’ stopover.
The setting is a Caribbean idyll. Green hills, witnesses of the strong tectonic activity in the region, overhang a coast punctuated with paradisiacal beaches and sheltered rocky coves, bathed in azure waters. It is a dream alive where snorkelling, wild hikes or lazy sunbathing afternoons are the order of the day.
The island of Baliceaux was discovered in the 15th century by the Spaniards and escaped the development of trade and colonization (because it lacked a freshwater source) … It is one of the best preserved gems of the Caribbean and reserves an unforgettable experience to the adventurers who visit it. An anchorage strongly recommended, and a good address to enjoy the wild charm of Saint-Vincent and the Grenadines in a peaceful environment.
Marina closeby on Navily (Bequia Island)
Britannia Bay - Mustique Island
A few minutes south of Baliceaux is the very famous island of Mustique. Appreciated for its many amenities and entertainment, it is also a place where wildlife found refuge. Indeed it is home to many coral reefs, as well as colonies of sea turtles and herons which have found the island to be a good breeding ground.
The Britannia Bay anchorage in the West of the Island is a great place to explore. Protected from north-east to south-east winds, the buoy option is mandatory, and mooring is not cheap (US EC$ 220 for 3 nights), but it is the price to pay to enjoy this popular setting .
A dream setting, all the amenities and much accessible entertainment, it is an anchorage that ticks all the boxes and is appreciated by boaters on Navily. Plus, it’s a quiet location, a quality appreciated in this popular destination of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
In this relaxing atmosphere you can do as you please: enjoy cocktails from Bazil’s Bar while relaxing on the beach or explore the crystal clear waters teeming with aquatic life, there is no shortage of options for having a good time.
Saline Bay - Mayreau Island
On the smallest island of the archipelago, this exceptional anchorage is one of the most popular on Navily! If you go to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines you must stop at Saline Bay!
Protected from north-easterly to south-easterly winds, you can easily anchor in 5 meters of water. The mooring coast has a superb white sand beach from which a unique wooden pontoon extends towards the sea. The relaxing atmosphere of the tropical islands fills the atmosphere of idyllic surroundings. The anchorage also presents seabed supporting many species of fish which are easy to observe with a mask and a snorkel.
For experienced divers (only), east of Mayreau Island is a famous dive site (Mayreau Hot Springs). There, impressive coral reefs develop in warmed waters, boosted in nutrients by intense underwater volcanic activity.
By setting foot on land you can easily reach the only village on the island. There, the locals give you a warm welcome in the few restaurants and shops on Mayreau Island.
Saline Bay also offers a superb viewpoint of the Tobago Cays, to the delight of photographers. This is an absolutely perfect stopover and much less crowded than the nearby Salt Whistle Bay anchorage.
Tobago Cays
How could we talk about Saint Vincent and the Grenadines without mentioning the famous Tobago Cays. An archipelago of islets protected by a coral reef among the best preserved in the world. It is a true aquatic sanctuary. The dream of the pirate lost at sea, who finds his islet of sand adorned with a few palm trees bathing in crystal clear waters.
These waters must be navigated and respected for what they are: a natural jewel of our dear earth, unfortunately too rare on a sailor’s journey nowadays.
To take full advantage of these precious islands, you will have two anchorages options: Petit Rameau in the North and Petit Bateau in the South.
Petit Rameau - Tobago Cays
The Petit Rameau anchorage is located between the island of Petit Bateau (North) and Petit Rameau (South). The landscape is straight out of a Pirates of the Caribbean movie. The small islands shine with their dazzling white in this shallow water basin and offer a dream setting for a stopover in the tropics. The warm atmosphere of the place is maintained by efficient and discreet boat boys who also organize delicious seafood barbecues on the beaches. A restaurant is also accessible on the island where you can enjoy a moment of exchange and relaxation between sailors.
Petit Bateau - Tobago Cays
To the south, the Petit Bateau anchorage is the perfect anchorage point for exploring the famous coral reef. The seabed is among the richest in the world. Large colonies of sea turtles, sharks, rays and hundreds of species of fish inhabit the coral reefs. The island of Barada, north of the anchorage, is home to a nesting beach in what is one of the most beautiful marine turtle reserves in the world.
It is a dream location for lovers of aquatic flora and fauna and a testament to the importance of conserving our marine environments.
This is why it is strongly recommended not to anchor, even if it is allowed, to protect the sea grasses which are the main food source of sea turtles.
Wind protection is almost non-existent in this archipelago, so it is recommended to visit the Cays in good weather. You can always get closer to the beach near the restaurant to protect yourself from the northeast trade winds on the Petit Rameau anchorage, but it is much more enjoyable in ideal conditions.
A daydream that had to appear on our list and approved by boaters on Navily.
Chatham Bay - Union Island
Located east of Union Island, Chatham Bay is a protected anchorage offering a picturesque landscape in a relaxing atmosphere!
The green mountains embrace a fine white sand beach on which reside a few small restaurants. A real haven of peace where you can easily anchor in sand bottoms 3 to 7 meters deep. Free buoys are also available at the anchorage. Finally, the anchorage benefits from very good wind protection from North to South via the East.
Comfortably settled, you can explore the bay’s turquoise waters, home to stunning coral reefs, inhabited by many marine species. The island is also a sanctuary for pelicans, where they can be seen in large numbers.
The white sand beach is an invitation to a relaxing afternoon spent at the Sunset restaurant in the company of their warm owners. Finally, for the more adventurous, the lush vegetation of the island offers an ideal setting for a bucolic hike.
This little haven of peace is very popular with boaters on Navily, who find everything that the islands have more typical of an authentic experience.
In the event of a strong westerly wind, it is preferable to take shelter at the anchor at Frigate Island to the south. The gusts can easily reach 30 knots and it seems that more than one boater has had the experience of dragging their anchor at Saline Bay …
Mopion Island
Mopion Island is located north-east of Petit-Saint-Vincent, at the southern end of the archipelago … It is the anchorage of the end of the world, the realisation of a dream of freedom to end in style!
In this maritime paradise where absolute serenity reigns, it is easy to get wet in sandy bottoms a few meters deep. The lagoon offers relatively good protection from northerly winds. It is advisable to go to the southern end with an easterly wind to protect yourself from the swell.
Once properly anchored you can enjoy the dreamlike landscape that awaits you. A small island of white sand, a parasol, some coral reefs and the eternal play of colors of the turquoise blue waters of the lagoon.
A wild feeling that nothing comes to alter. The island of Petit Saint Vincent and its reliefs of ancient volcanoes punctuate the background of this magical picture. A waking dream, one that can only be enjoyed from the deck of your boat. An exclusivity reserved for sailors for their greatest happiness.
This last dream destination completes our list of the best anchorages in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. We hope that these and the various experiences of boaters on Navily have made you want to travel and perhaps inspire future trips to the tropical sea …
Good luck Captain and see you in the Grenadines!
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