Road Harbour
Road Town Harbour · Road Bay
18°24.99'N 64°37.11'W
Depth
4–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m for good holding on sand/mud in 4–12m. Ferry traffic and mooring lines in the harbour require careful positioning. Confirm anchor is well set before leaving boat unattended — holding can be reduced by weed. In SE swell (rare) anchorage becomes rolly.
About This Anchorage
Road Harbour is the commercial and administrative heart of the BVI — the main port of entry for all visiting foreign vessels, home to Village Cay Marina, the ferry terminals to the USVI, and the BVI's best general provisioning. Customs and immigration must be cleared here before proceeding anywhere in BVI waters if arriving from abroad. Road Town itself has RiteWay Food Markets, One Mart Supermarket, Bobby's Marketplace, chandleries, fuel, and laundry. The anchorage is large and generally well-sheltered from the NE trades. Village Cay Marina (VHF 16) manages the inner mooring field; anchoring is possible north of the ferry terminal in clear sand. The town's infrastructure makes this an excellent base for stocking up before island-hopping west.
Protected From
N · NE · NW · W
Exposed To
S · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in designated areas; Village Cay Marina moorings ~$30–50/night
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Entry fee $7.30/person + $10 environmental levy; exit fee $20/person. Charter vessels require Cruising Permit. Annual Tonnage Fee applies to first-time visiting vessels.
Restrictions: Customs and immigration mandatory on arrival from any non-BVI port; Q flag until cleared; no anchoring on coral, seagrass, or in dredged ferry channels; harbour speed limit 5 knots; VHF 16 for port authority.
Hazards
- !Ferry traffic — high-speed ferries operating frequently in the harbour; maintain clear passage
- !Mooring field lines and buoys throughout the harbour — anchoring must clear all lines
- !Weed patches reduce holding — set anchor firmly with engine test before leaving unattended
- !SE swell (from passing weather systems) makes anchorage rolly — Village Cay Marina stern-to is more comfortable in these conditions
- !Dinghy theft reported — lock dinghy and outboard when ashore; use dinghy dock at Village Cay
Skipper's Tips
- →Clear customs first thing in the morning at the Road Town immigration office near the ferry terminal — bring all crew passports and vessel documentation
- →RiteWay Food Market at Road Town is the best fully-stocked supermarket in the BVI — stock up here before heading west or east
- →Village Cay Marina (VHF 16) can arrange fuel, ice, and shore power — call ahead for berth availability in peak season
- →The Wickham's Cay I chandlery stocks most critical spare parts — plan any maintenance stops here before remote island sailing
- →Avoid arriving on a Sunday or public holiday — customs offices have reduced hours and may require overtime fees
Facilities
Road Town has numerous restaurants and cafes. Village Cay Marina has marina bar and restaurant. RiteWay, One Mart, and Bobby's Marketplace are the main supermarkets — best provisioning in the BVI.
Nearest provisions: Road Town (RiteWay, One Mart, Bobby's) (0.2nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
December–April (dry season, steady NE trades). Hurricane season June–November — BVI should be exited by end of May. Peak charter traffic December–March; February and March are busiest.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
In BVI waters, anchor drag toward coral reef can cause serious damage — to the reef and your vessel. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can enjoy the beach bars with confidence.
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