Shirley Heights
Galleon Beach · Galleon Bay
17°00.0'N 61°45.4'W
Depth
3–7m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
65m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
65m
65m alarm radius for 3–7m on sand. Limited swinging room — 5–8 vessels maximum. Monitor swell: any E component brings uncomfortable motion. If swell builds overnight, relocate to English Harbour (0.5nm). Set alarm conservatively at 60m given tight bay.
About This Anchorage
Shirley Heights overlooks English Harbour from the steep volcanic headlands that enclose the harbour from the east. The military fortifications at the summit (circa 1780) were built to defend the dockyard and harbour from attack, and the panoramic views over English and Falmouth Harbours, Montserrat, and Guadeloupe are among the finest in the eastern Caribbean. The Shirley Heights Lookout Bar, housed in the old Blockhouse, hosts the legendary Sunday Sunset BBQ every week — a tradition that has made this the most famous gathering point in the Caribbean for cruising sailors. Steel pan band plays 4–7pm, reggae and live music until late. The atmosphere is legendary. Galleon Beach below the heights has calm water and a beach bar. The anchorage is more of a daytime stop and Sailing Week base than a comfortable overnight due to easterly exposure.
Protected From
N · NW · W · S
Exposed To
E · SE · NE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- National Park fee ~US$15/night; day anchoring same rate
- Maximum stay
- 7 days
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: No anchoring on coral; limited swinging room — 5–8 vessels only; no overnight in SE swell; National Park territory — no litter, no disturbing wildlife.
Hazards
- !Easterly and SE swell exposure — uncomfortable overnight in swell conditions; use English Harbour instead
- !Limited swing room — maximum 8 vessels; late arrivals may find no space
- !Reef on SW corner of bay — stay clear; anchor in centre of bay only
- !Sunday evenings during BBQ: dinghy traffic extremely heavy between anchorage and dock — watch for fast dinghies in the dark
- !Rocky approach from E — use current chart; do not cut inside the headland rocks
Skipper's Tips
- →The Sunday Shirley Heights BBQ (every Sunday, 4pm) is not to be missed — dinghy to the dock below and hike or take a taxi to the Heights
- →Arrive Sunday morning early to get a good spot in Galleon Bay before the Sunday crowds arrive
- →The trail from Galleon Beach up to Shirley Heights is 20 minutes on a maintained path — wear shoes with grip; rewarding views at top
- →Steel pan band plays 4–7pm; after 7pm reggae band takes over and the BBQ plates come out — arrive by 5pm to get a good table
- →The view from Shirley Heights at sunset with Montserrat and Guadeloupe on the horizon is the defining image of eastern Caribbean sailing
Facilities
Shirley Heights Lookout Bar (hilltop) — Sunday BBQ legendary (4pm–late). Galleon Beach Bar (beach level, seasonal). No water or fuel at anchorage — use English Harbour 0.5nm.
Nearest provisions: Nelson's Dockyard shop (English Harbour) (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
December–May. Day anchorage best; overnight only in settled weather with no E or SE swell. Hurricane season June–November: avoid overnight.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 65m
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