Crabbs Marina
Crabbs Peninsula Marina · Parham Harbour
17°07.7'N 61°45.5'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m alarm radius for 3–8m on mud/sand. Good holding — mud anchors well. NE exposure means afternoon chop develops; set alarm to 70m and monitor. If overnight NE conditions above F4, reposition to more sheltered section of sound.
About This Anchorage
Crabbs Marina is located on the Crabbs Peninsula on Antigua's north coast, in Parham Sound — a quieter, less-visited anchorage than the busy south coast harbours. The marina has boatyard facilities, a dry stack storage operation, and limited visitor berths, making it a useful stop for boat maintenance and repairs away from the Sailing Week crowds. Parham Harbour (the historic colonial town of Parham is nearby) is an official port of entry, though Port Health still boards first. The anchorage in Parham Sound gives access to Antigua's northeast coast, which has some of the least-visited beaches on the island. The approach from the north is straightforward; from English Harbour it is a 9.5nm coastal passage around the east side of the island.
Protected From
N · NW · W · SW · S
Exposed To
E · NE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Port Authority anchoring fee ~US$2/night; no National Park fee
- Maximum stay
- 30 days
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: No anchoring on coral; stay clear of marina approach channels; eSeaClear pre-clearance required if entering here as port of entry; Port Health FIRST.
Hazards
- !NE trade wind exposure — afternoon chop in prevailing conditions; morning calmer
- !Shallow areas on approach from north — use current chart; Parham Sound entrance has shoals
- !Limited provisioning and services compared to English Harbour or Jolly Harbour
- !Mangrove channels around Crabbs Peninsula have very shallow water — dinghy exploration only
- !Remote clearance location — Port Health response time may be longer than at English/Falmouth Harbour
Skipper's Tips
- →Crabbs Marina is the best option for extended boat maintenance in Antigua without the Sailing Week crowds and premium pricing
- →The haul-out facility at Crabbs is useful for antifouling and hull work in the off-season (June–November)
- →Parham town (0.5nm walk from marina) has a historic church (St. Peter's, 1840, octagonal) worth visiting — one of Antigua's architectural gems
- →The northeast coast beaches between Crabbs and Long Island are accessible only by dinghy — pristine and uncrowded
- →From Crabbs, the passage to Barbuda (27nm north) is the most direct — provision fully before departing
Facilities
No restaurant at marina. Basic provisions available at Parham town (0.5nm). Better provisioning at Jolly Harbour (12nm by sea) or St. John's (11nm). Marine services: boatyard, haul-out, mechanical repairs.
Nearest provisions: Parham town (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
December–May best. Off-season (June–November) is viable for maintenance work — marina stays active year-round. Hurricane risk real; the marina has hurricane storage options.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
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