Union Island - Docking

Union Island Docking

See Entrance Notes and Cautions plus Security info. for this port in General Info.

Clifton Harbor Anchoring

In Clifton Bay there is no anchoring permitted near the reef, which is part of the MPA and where the Tobago Cays Marine Park has about 20 moorings. Anchoring is permitted in the west side of the bay.

There are several anchorages around Union Island. Do not anchor in coral or seagrass beds, but use moorings where provided or select sandy areas to drop the hook.

Clifton Harbor Moorings

Currently, the Tobago Cays Marine Park (TCMP) is the only authorized provider of temporary/overnight moorings in Clifton Harbor.

Be aware that marked/unmarked hazards may exist in the Clifton Harbor mooring field and be certain to carefully observe your approach, even as helpers/boat boys guide you to a mooring. See this CSSN news item about a Hazard to Navigation in the area.

This is the most popular spot because it’s close to the Anchorage Yacht Club, restaurants and bars, provisioning services, hotels and guest houses, and tourist information services.

There are 19 moorings which are all marked by plain white balls. Six authorized assistants (“boatboys”) have been selected and authorized to act as agents for TCMP, and each of them has personalized boat cards that identify them by name and include the TCMP logo. Captains can choose any available assistant, or any open mooring and utilize these assistants in getting tied up if they desire.

The fee for TCMP mooring usage is $60ECD for 24 hours. Actual payment for a TCMP mooring should only be made to a uniformed TCMP ranger who will visit the yacht and also collect the card. $20ECD of each $60ECD daily fee is then paid by TCMP to the assistant specified on the collected card. The TCMP welcomes feedback from users about their moorings and the performance of their authorized assistants. You can visit the TCMP office ashore Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm. They also collect cards and accept payment.

At times, private moorings in the anchorage may be available and offered on a freelance basis by the designated assistants or others. No oversight or control over this sort of entrepreneurial activity is provided by TCMP, and none of any fees paid remits to TCMP. These private vendors can sometimes be quite pushy.

Ashton Lagoon

Ashton Lagoon is the largest bay in the Grenadines. The secluded harbor has a unique mangrove/seagrass/coral reef ecosystem. To protect the fragile habitat, new moorings have been put in the lagoon by Sustainable Grenadines and are currently free for visiting yachts. The moorings are white and marked with blue SusGren and a number.

Chatham Bay

This is a popular anchorage on the island's west coast with beautiful views. Pick a sandy patch to drop your anchor in; however, avoid under the cliff to the northwest of the bay as this is now a dive site. Some brief, intense gusts of wind do at times, roll down the hills surrounding the bay, but in general, it’s a calm anchorage. It is common to see a great many sea turtles here, and the snorkeling is good on the north and south sides of the bay.

The beach bars on the bay were wiped out during Hurricane Beryl in July 2024 but are slowly returning, albeit under makeshift conditions.  Cruisers who visited in May 2025 reported Vanessa's was cooking up lobster under a makeshift tent.

Frigate Rock

Ten new mooring blocks have been installed in the Frigate Rock area, Union Island, by Sustainable Grenadines Inc. This is a popular spot for kite and windsurfers.

Docking:

There are stern-to berths at the Anchorage Yacht Club, the Bourganville dock, and at several other small docks.

Dinghy Docks:

There is a dinghy dock just outside the elegant L’Aquarium restaurant in the Bourganville complex and a secure dinghy dock at the Anchorage Yacht Club.

Last updated: February 2025