Charlotteville : Profile

Location

Charlotteville is a quiet, fishing village on the NE tip of Tobago.

Offically you should go alongside the Immigration jetty for clearance with Customs and Immigration (in that order!) and this should be done before getting permission to proceed to any anchorage or other mooring. However, the dock here is unsuitable for yachts and you will be in the way of the fishing boats.

The skipper and all the crew must immediately go ashore to clear in. This applies day or night, 24/7.

No clearance fees are charged when clearing in during normal working hours.
A "navigation fee" of about US$8 per month is levied on all boats in the water.

Departure

A yacht must clear out from the same port as the arrival port. With permission, you may depart Charlotteville and overnight in Crown Point but you cannot go on land and must leave by daybreak the following morning.

If you wish to circumnavigate the island you must file a passage plan and when on the southern coast you need to check into and out of Scarborough as it is a different jusisdiction from Charlotteville. Sailing like this is refered to as "Bay Hopping" but you must get permission to do it. Be especially careful if leaving for Trinidad. If you stop en route without permission you will be in trouble on arrival in Trinidad.

When sailing to Trinidad, you must gain clearance from both the Immigration & Customs office with endorsements allowing the vessel to sail to the port of Chaguaramas. If the vessel was cleared to sail to Chaguaramas from Tobago, then the skipper is obligated to report to the Chaguaramas Customs & Immigration office upon arrival.

You may NOT drop anchor en route along the north coast of Trinidad but must proceed directly to Chaguaramas. This is a security reason and for your own safety.

Last updated Decemberr 2010.

Docking

Charlotteville has a protected anchorage. Anchor north of the imaginary line extending from the end of the jetty to the northern point of Pirates Bay. Do not anchor inside this line. If you search around north of this line, it is possible to find depths of 45 feet in which to anchor. You will also find the breeze is more consistent and cooling north of the line and you should be out of the insect range. Take care that your anchor or chain do not damage any coral.

You must not discharge black water into the bay or any swimming areas.

When going ashore, it is advisable to pull your dinghy up onto the beach. Those left at the pier often get sucked under it and capsized, apart from blocking access to the pier.

Alternatively secure it at Workshop Seatours. There is a grocery store here also.

Last updated September 2010.

Security Note October 2011: Following crime against yachts and cruisers this year, there are now reported to be security patrols in Charlotteville harbour. However cruisers should be sure to close all hatches and lock the boat when going ashore, and secure the boat at night as well.

Workshop Seatours
Charlotteville, Tobago
Mooring buoys available. Laundry, water, internet, WiFi.