Charlotte Amalie - Docking

Charlotte Amalie Docking

Anchoring

If you plan to anchor in a designated anchorage for 14 days or more in a six month period you'll need an anchoring permit from the DPNR office. Alternatively, moving to a new bay or harbor restarts the 14 days count. See the USVI Restrictions for further information.

It is possible to anchor in the harbor and usually, there is plenty of room in the various anchorages. There are lots of shops and restaurants right across the street from the sea wall.

This area can be very rolly if strong winds with any southerly component—and there are frequent wakes.

Seaplanes land in the harbor near Frenchtown and take off down the main channel.

Pacquereau Bay

Located on the east side of St. Thomas Harbor as you head into the harbor, Pacquereau Bay is a reasonably well-protected anchorage. Because you are further out of the main harbor you will find it less noisy and cleaner.

Long Bay

This popular anchorage is usually crowded and there is frequent traffic heading in and out of the 300-slip Grand Haven Marina. Do not anchor southwest of the buoys as they mark the area in which cruise ships move and turn.

Lindberg Bay

This quiet anchorage is on the east side of the airport. The holding is good.

Brewers Bay

Has specific restrictions. Anchoring is only allowed for up to 5 days, 4 nights. See the USVI Restrictions for further information.

Water Island

This small island is located in the middle of Charlotte Amalie/St Thomas harbor and is a short dinghy or ferry ride from the main part of town. It has two main beaches, Limestone and Honeymoon, a few restaurants and designated anchorages in Elephant Bay, Flamingo Bay, and Honeymoon Bay.

Honeymoon Bay / Druif Bay

Can be rolly even in E wind. Anchor outside moored boats

Flamingo Bay

Anchor in muddy sand in 12-20 feet with good holding. Give room on the south side for dinghy traffic going in and out of the inner lagoon. Some of the long-term boats use stern anchors, watch your swinging room.

Elephant Bay

At 0.5 nm from Crown Bay Marina, this is the preferred anchorage at this time as they are fewer sunken vessels from hurricanes here.  There are usually a large number of anchored yachts here.  In almost all areas there are sunken objects scattered in the deeper areas, some marked by private markers.

Note: during peak cruise ship season as many as six cruise ships can visit this harbor. During these visits, boat owners anchored in the inner harbor 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.

Security

Be aware of personal security while ashore as well as security for your dinghy when at anchor and also when ashore. Unsecured dinghies/outboards are prime targets for theft from yachts at anchor and also from dinghy docks. Locations where thefts have occurred include Elephant Bay, the Water Island dinghy dock, and the waterfront dock near the Coast Guard Station in Charlotte Amalie and yachts at anchor in Pacquereau Bay.

It is advisable to lift and lock dinghies and outboards and do not leave items visible for potential thieves.

Dinghy Docks

The dinghy docks at Yacht Haven Grande and Crown Bay can be crowded. You can also tie up to downtown behind the break wall at the Coast Guard station. Other alternatives are found in French Town where you can tie up at local restaurants. There is also a dinghy dock at the inner bay at Flamingo on Water Island.

Marinas

Yacht Haven Grande and Crown Bay are the only marinas located in Charlotte Amalie with Crown Bay located in the west and Crown Bay in the east. Additional marinas are located on the eastern end of the island with the greatest concentration located 6 nm away in Brenner Bay—this is where marinas including Independent Boat Yard and Marina, Compass Point Marina as well as Budget Marine and the Food Center are located.

Last updated:  June 2025