Carlisle Bay South
South Carlisle Bay · Needham's Point approach
13°04.08'N 59°37.14'W
Depth
3–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m for good holding on sand in 3–10m. Southern bay position provides better swinging room than the crowded centre during ARC season. Coral patches near the Needham's Point headland — stay in the sand.
About This Anchorage
The south end of Carlisle Bay offers a quieter alternative to the main anchorage zone during the busy ARC season. While the central bay fills with passage-makers, the southern reaches near Needham's Point typically have more space and a slightly more serene atmosphere. The protection from ENE trades is identical to the main bay — the island mass to the east provides the shelter. The beach at the south end is quieter than the Boatyard stretch. A short dinghy ride reaches Bridgetown's facilities to the north, and the wreck dive sites are close by. Good sand holding throughout this section of the bay.
Protected From
N · NE · E
Exposed To
S · SW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- No anchoring fee
- Permit required
- Yes
Restrictions: Customs mandatory at Bridgetown Port Authority on arrival from abroad. No anchoring on coral — sand only. Carlisle Bay marine park designation applies throughout.
Hazards
- !Coral patches near Needham's Point headland — verify sand before anchoring
- !Less visible to other boats in the crowded bay during ARC season — use anchor light
- !SW swell same exposure as main bay — rolly in weather system swell
- !Longer dinghy run to Bridgetown facilities than main anchorage
Skipper's Tips
- →Best choice when the main Carlisle Bay anchorage is crowded during ARC season — often 40% more space here
- →The beach at the south end of Carlisle Bay is clean and quiet — good swimming and snorkelling off Needham's Point
- →Snorkelling over the wreck sites is possible from this position — dinghy north to the Stavronikita and Berwyn dive buoys
- →Short walk to the Hilton Barbados (Needham's Point) where you can use the pool bar as a paying non-guest
Facilities
No immediate facilities at south bay. Dinghy to The Boatyard (north bay, 0.8nm) for bar/restaurant. Bridgetown provisions via dinghy or short walk.
Nearest provisions: Bridgetown (via dinghy, 1nm N) (1nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
December–April. Better swinging room than the crowded main bay in ARC season. Good all-round anchorage when conditions are settled.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 75m
In Carlisle Bay, anchor drag toward the historic wrecks or coral patches can cause serious damage. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can celebrate your Atlantic crossing with confidence.
Download Free for iOS