Holetown Bay
Holetown anchorage · St. James anchorage
13°11.52'N 59°38.64'W
Depth
3–9m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m for good holding on sand in 3–9m. Stay north of Folkestone Marine Park boundary — no anchoring inside the park. In westerly swell, the anchorage is exposed. Good normal conditions in ENE trades.
About This Anchorage
Holetown is the main commercial and social hub of the Platinum Coast — the first English settlement in Barbados, established 1627 (marked by an obelisk monument on the seafront). The town has a supermarket (Jordans), restaurants, bars, and the lively First Street and Second Street bar scene. Holetown Festival (February) is the biggest annual celebration on the Platinum Coast. The anchorage lies in the bay north of the Folkestone Marine Park boundary, with good sand holding and the full amenities of the town accessible by dinghy. The Folkestone Park mooring area lies immediately south — use mooring buoys if inside the park zone. The west coast's calm conditions make Holetown one of the most pleasant overnight stops outside Carlisle Bay.
Protected From
E · NE · SE
Exposed To
W · NW · SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- No anchoring fee (north of Folkestone boundary)
- Permit required
- Yes
Restrictions: Customs cleared at Bridgetown required. Do NOT anchor south of Folkestone Marine Park boundary — use mooring buoys in park zone. Sand only — no anchoring on coral or sea grass. Holetown fishing boats operate from the beach.
Hazards
- !Folkestone Marine Park southern boundary — do NOT anchor inside park zone
- !Fishing boat activity from Holetown beach — maintain clearance from working fishing vessels
- !Shallow patches close inshore — stay in the 3m+ depth zone
- !Open to west — exposed in westerly swell from weather systems
Skipper's Tips
- →Holetown is the best provisioning stop on the Platinum Coast — Jordans Supermarket is well-stocked and not far from the beach
- →The Holetown Monument marks the site of the first English landing in Barbados in 1627 — worth a visit by dinghy
- →February Holetown Festival is the biggest street festival on the coast — if timing your visit, this is a spectacular cultural experience
- →First Street has the liveliest bar scene on the west coast — Harbour Lights and the local rum shops are excellent
Facilities
Holetown has excellent restaurants: The Tides, Mango's by the Sea, Fish Pot (north), Lonestar. Jordans Supermarket for provisioning. Various bars on First Street. No fuel at anchorage — Bridgetown for fuel.
Nearest provisions: Holetown (Jordans Supermarket, immediate) (0.1nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
December–April. Holetown Festival in February brings extra activity. Good all-round anchorage on the Platinum Coast.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
On the Platinum Coast, even calm west coast conditions can see anchor drag toward sea grass beds or shallow patches. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can watch the Barbados sunset in peace.
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