Five Islands Harbour
Five Islands Bay · Maiden Island Anchorage
17°05.4'N 61°52.0'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
65m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
65m
65m alarm radius for 3–8m on excellent sand holding. The sand bottom here is among the best holding in Antigua — anchors set immediately and hold firmly. In any N or NW swell conditions (December–February), increase alarm to 75m and be prepared to relocate. Head of bay anchorage: reduce alarm to 50m (shallower water, less swing needed).
About This Anchorage
Five Islands Harbour is one of Antigua's most pleasant anchorages — a wide bay on the west coast sheltered by the five rocky islets that give it its name, with excellent sand holding throughout and access to beaches that are only reachable by boat. The isolation that keeps the beaches crowd-free in daytime also makes this one of Antigua's most tranquil overnight anchorages — no road access means no jet skis, no vendors, no organised beach parties. The three distinct anchorage zones within the bay allow vessels of different draft to find a comfortable spot. Maiden Island anchorage (the middle option) balances shelter with accessibility. The head of the bay has the calmest water and the most beautiful beach but requires shallow draft (under 1.8m). Just 2nm from Jolly Harbour, Five Islands has easy access to the best provisioning on Antigua without being in the busy marina environment.
Protected From
E · SE · S · SW · W · NW
Exposed To
N · NE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Port Authority fee ~US$2/night; no National Park fee
- Maximum stay
- 30 days
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: No anchoring on coral — sand only (easy to see in clear water); head of bay: shallow draft only (under 2m); no access to Maiden Island bird nesting areas in breeding season (check locally); no litter.
Hazards
- !N/NW winter swell can enter the bay in weather systems from December–February — check forecast; if swell builds, relocate to Jolly Harbour (2nm S)
- !Head of bay: shallow at 2m — dinghy or shallow-draft vessels only; keelboats anchor in middle bay
- !Rocky islets at entrance: approach between the islets carefully in settled conditions; use current chart
- !No facilities at all — bring everything from Jolly Harbour; water and fuel must be carried
- !Insects (sandflies) at dusk — screens and repellent essential
Skipper's Tips
- →The boat-only beaches at Five Islands are among the quietest on Antigua — enjoy the isolation; take the dinghy to explore the head of the bay
- →Snorkelling around the five islets at the entrance rewards with coral formations and reef fish — bring mask and fins
- →Five Islands is a perfect lunchtime stop on a day sail from Jolly Harbour — anchor for 2–3 hours, swim, explore by dinghy, then return for dinner
- →Maiden Island anchorage is the best overnight spot — good compromise between shelter and depth
- →The bay is a popular anchorage for local Antiguan day sailors on weekends — weekdays are quieter and often completely empty
Facilities
No facilities at anchorage. Jolly Harbour (2nm S) has full facilities including Epicurean supermarket. St. John's (4nm N) for town amenities.
Nearest provisions: Epicurean at Jolly Harbour (2nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
December–May best. Comfortable in normal NE trade wind conditions. Winter swell risk December–February — monitor forecasts. Hurricane season June–November: this is not a hurricane hole; return to Jolly Harbour.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
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