Yachts must anchor outside the lagoon at Codrington. In an easterly wind the north side of the cut is a little less rolly. The bottom is sand and holding is good. On both north and south sides of the cut, the depth shallows very gradually as you approach, making it easy to find a comfortable depth. Ask a local if you are not sure where to anchor.
It's a long, uncomfortable dinghy ride into the waterfront.
The cut (the opening to Codrington Lagoon) is marked by a very basic buoy (resembling an old fishing float or round fender with a couple of bleach bottles attached, pink-ish colour). This marks the safest entry point and is quite hard to find given the amount of breaking water all across the cut.
Instead of using your own dinghy, you may prefer to call the boatman (Kevin +1 268-732-2643) - cost $40US for the round trip. Kevin also does tours to the frigate bird nesting area.
Anchoring inside the lagoon is not recommended. There’s not a lot of tide swing, even at springs, to help you, and depths in the lagoon vary greatly.
Do not anchor to reefs, fish in the restricted areas or use jet skis, spear guns and other destructive equipment.
The best anchorages are at Spanish Point and off the west coast.
See the Antigua and Barbuda Marine Guide for recommended anchorages.
At the southern end of the island, Cocoa Bay has been recommended by cruisers as a good anchorage behind a reef. The pass is at an angle and can be tricky however there is a good spot to anchor just off the Cocoa Point Resort.
Beautiful, but only in settled weather as it does have a tendency to suffer from swell (see Related User Comments for information about anchoring here).
About 32 kms (20 miles) north along the coast is the pink sanded "11 Mile Beach" and from here one can visit the mangrove lagoon and the Frigatebird colony (November). Be sure to visit the colony with a local guide as you will learn a lot about the island and the local culture. It is forbidden to go by yourself with the dinghy to the sanctuary.
Palaster Reef is a national park and fishing with a speargun or rod is not permitted.
Charts of Barbuda have been reported as unreliable because of coral growth, especially on the south side of the island.
https://www.waittinstitute.org/blue-halo-barbuda
The legislation is in place now for the protection of the fishery and ecosystem of Barbuda. This means restrictions on anchoring, fishing, diving etc. See this noonsite report for details.
Last updated: February 2025
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