Charlotte Amalie - General Info
Description:
This sheltered harbour lies on the southern coast of the island of St Thomas. Two islands are found within it; Water Island, which has several anchorages and Hassel Island, a historic park.
Charlotte Amalie was founded by the Danish in the 1600s and is a busy cruise-ship port. Historic buildings include a 1679 watchtower called Blackbeard’s Castle, as a nod to the area’s pirate history and 17th-century Fort Christian, a local history museum.
Main Street is a duty-free area that covers about one-third of a mile and contains over 100 shops; where alcohol, tobacco, electronics, crafts, and colognes are all available.
Cruiser Highlights:
Marinas; chandleries; active cruising community; duty-free shopping; restaurants and bars; provisioning; tours; sightseeing; easy access to airport and ferry.
Entrance notes or cautions:
During peak cruise ship season as many as six cruise ships can visit this harbour. During these visits, boat owners anchored in the inner harbour of St. Thomas are asked to move their vessels or be subject to fines and vessel arrest. Alerts are issued by the Virgin Islands Port Authority.
Positions:
18 20’17″N, 64 56’17″W. (opposite Reporting Office)
18 19’57″N, 64 57’04″W (Crown Bay marina)
Last updated: December 2023
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Related to following destinations: Charlotte Amalie (St Thomas), St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
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Update on the anchorage situation in the
USVI
Friday we have been boarded by 3 officers of DPNR in Brewer’s Bay. We are on a Canadian sailboat in transit. The officers gave us a Notice of violation. On the notation, we were asked to leave Brewer’s Bay because we exceeded the 14 days. And we MUST contact DPNR for an anchoring permit.
Monday the 11 March 2019 we had a meeting with the Director of DPNR
Howard Forbes. I have insisted on the miss information on this regulation.
After the meeting, we can stay in Brewer’s Bay without passing the 14 days.
If you visit the USVI
.. IF YOU STAY OVER 14 DAYS IN ANY Anchorage IN A 6 MONTH PERIOD IN ST THOMAS you NEED an anchoring permit in a DESIGNATED area.
IF YOU LEAVE USVI FOR A DAY AND COME BACK THE COUNT RESTARTS.
You can anchor in Brewer’s Bay but you must respect the 14 DAYS. For the anchorage permit, you must get a permit at DPNR office. Charles W. Turnbull Regional Library second flood. 84R6+86 Anna’s Retreat, St Thomas, Îles Vierges des États-Unis tel. 340 773 5774
S/V Eaudree96
Again… Elephant Bay:
DATE: 2018-12-21 01:30
Country Name: USVI
Location Detail: St. Thomas Elephant Bay
EVENT: Theft
HAND: 2
Stolen Items: dinghy/outboard
SECURED: Not Locked
DETAILS: Overnight an in-the-water, not locked dinghy/outboard were stolen from an occupied yacht moored in the bay. This is 3rd unsecured dinghy stolen in this bay this month. Reported to the USCG and DPNR.
Subsequent theft report by CSSN for Elephant Bay:
DATE: 2018-12-15 01:00
Country Name: USVI
Location Detail: St. Thomas Elephant Bay
EVENT: Theft
HAND: 2
Stolen Items: dinghy/outbound
SECURED: Not Locked
DETAILS: Overnight an in-the-water and not locked dinghy was stolen from a yacht anchored in Elephant Bay
Reported by the Caribbean Security & Safety Net:
DATE: 2018-12-05 02:00
Country Name: USVI
Location Detail: St. Thomas Elephant Bay
EVENT: Theft
HAND: 3
Stolen Items: 10′ Folding boat with 18 HP Tohatsu outboard
SECURED: Not Locked
DETAILS: Overnight, a not locked in-the-water 10′ flex boat with 18 HP outboard was stolen from a yacht anchored in Elephant Bay. It is not known if a police report was made .
Update from Joan Conover (SSCA) – SY Growl Tiger – just arrived in the VIs.
St. Thomas is open for business..you just don’t want to DRIVE anywhere..recommend taking a tour bus or taxi.
Crown Bay Marina is up and running since the storm, we have a slip with water..electric still being connected. The restaurant is open, laundry is open, free wifi thanks to VIYA and good grocery store here for provisioning (Publix). Good fuel as well.
Charlotte Amalie, all tourist shops (Gucci) are open, there is a museum display on hurricane damages(20.00 bucks entry!!) and three cruise ships in port, two in Charlotte Amalie, and one at Crown Bay.
USCG has cleared the channels but the main harbour has lots of white moorings/buoys which we can’t tell what they are for (sunken boats or a new mooring field?). Damaged vessels line the western side of the harbor..and on the Water Island side near Crown Bay, boats are grounded – two or three on the eastern side and several on the northern Water Island side.
There is a great unsung hero on Water Island..a lady (Marion?) who flew back to the USA on at her own cost and came back with 20K worth of supplies and gensets for the island. Will try and find her.
Boat Taxis actively running from Crown Bay. The airport is open. American flying as well as a puddle jumper to San Juan then onto the USA from there. People are needing work..one dock worker is washing cars to put food on the table.
Posted on behalf of Joan (SV Growltiger):
Just got off the phone with Lisa Lord(Crown Bay Marina/St. Thomas), she says the fuel dock is open, has been open for weeks. D Dock is available for up to 45 ft vessels, just no electric, water only, and they have a T-head for over 45ft to 100 ft vessels.
Tickles is open, laundry is open, the pet store is open, and the PriceMart behind the marina is open as is Home Depot, Lowes, and Kmarts! So recovery in St. Thomas is ongoing, but vessels can get fuel and slippage for resting up from passages there.
In the wake of Hurricane Irma and Maria, the IGY Marina at Yacht Haven Grande is currently under repair.
The customs office where yachts are to check in is the ferry terminal, you will see ferry boats parked there, called Edward Wilmoth Blyden Marine Terminal but the address is 3400 Veterans Drive not 5500 Veterans drive which is the administrative office.
The clearance office at Yacht Haven Marina is by appointment only and at the present time only for vessels berthed at the marina.
The harbour in May had plenty of space and was pleasant to anchor. there are lots of shops and restaurants right across the street from the sea wall.