Canouan Docking
Charlestown Bay
This is the main anchorage on the west coast of the Island, lying open to the NW. Visiting yachts can anchor anywhere, except close to the Soho Beach House (ex. Tamarind Beach Hotel) which is full of moorings.
It can be uncomfortable here in strong NE winds with a northerly swell. Whilst holding is good in sand, the strong gusts coming off the hills can cause boats to swing all over the place and this can be worrying, especially with the wind howling all night. It can often be quite rough here.
The mooring buoys close to the shore belong to the charter fleet and are not available to visiting yachts.
Other moorings in the bay belong to Marcus and John, both provide a number of services to visiting yachts.
Getting Ashore
The jetty at the Soho Beach House can no longer be used to come ashore in your dinghy unless you and everyone else on your boat become a member (very expensive). With two gated communities on the shore of this bay, it is no longer possible to find an available dinghy dock to get ashore into town.
If landing on the beach, be aware that huge waves can appear from nowhere and somersault the boat.
It is possible to gain access ashore via the Sandy Lane Yacht Club (resort with restaurants and shops).
In the anchorage, boats will call to sell you fish, lobster, bread, water, ice, and diesel. If buying diesel be sure to filter it well - it is unlikely to be clean.
Moorings Yacht Charters have a new big dock here and there is also a small wooden dock in the southern part of the bay.
Other Anchorages
Yachts can also anchor in Rameau Bay. With the current and tides yachts tend to swing randomly here, so be sure to leave enough room between boats. Snorkeling is reported to be good and the Coastguard do patrol this bay.
It is however no longer possible to anchor in Corbay - a useful protected anchorage but now out of bounds due to new ownership (see Related User Comments section).
Yachts are also no longer allowed behind the reef on the windward side of the island, which was once a popular kiteboarding spot.
Marinas
The Sandy Lane Yacht Club is close to the airport so while it suffers from noise from the airport, it is a convenient place to clear in and refuel.
Safe water mark and full buoyage lead into the marina. Visiting yachts should call the Marina on VHF Channel 68 and normally will be directed straight to a berth depending on size, draft and utilities required. Otherwise, yachts may proceed and moor port-side-to along the quay directly in front of the Marina Office from where they will be allocated a berth.
Smaller yachts should be aware that the marina can berth yachts up to 100 meters LOA which may be restricted in their ability to maneuver on and off their berth and in the entrance channel. Security messages will be broadcast on VHF16 and 68 whenever a large yacht is entering or leaving a berth.
Taffia Hill breaks most of the prevailing wind so conditions along the marina channel are slightly less boisterous than outside, but not by a lot. The smaller yacht berths are at the eastern end of the marina where the shelter is greater.
There is a fairly well stocked (but expensive) supermarket and an up-market restaurant on site with other shops. The marina is five minutes by taxi to Charlestown where you can find a supermarket, fresh fruits and vegetables, and an ATM machine at the only bank. There is also a LIME shop where you can buy a data mobile card.
Security
There have been more than 30 reported thefts in this and other locations around Canouan. In most cases thieves entered undetected through unlocked doors and companionways.
See
Notes on Security.
Last updated: June 2025
