Soper's Hole
Soper's Hole Wharf · West End Tortola
18°23.03'N 64°42.27'W
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m for excellent holding in mud/sand in 4–10m. The enclosed bay allows confident anchoring with a short scope. Set firmly — some weed patches in the bay. 70m is appropriate in normal trade conditions; reduce to 50m in calm settled conditions.
About This Anchorage
Soper's Hole at West End Tortola is one of the finest natural harbours in the BVI — a nearly enclosed bay with excellent all-round protection and excellent holding in soft mud and sand. It serves as one of three official BVI customs ports of entry, making it the first stop for vessels arriving from the US Virgin Islands or from the west. The wharf area has been developed as a small marina and tourist complex with boutiques, bars, and restaurants (most notably Pusser's Landing — a Caribbean institution). The ferry to St. John USVI runs from West End dock. The anchorage fills in peak season but generally has room for reasonable numbers of visiting yachts. This is the natural starting point for island-hopping west toward Norman Island and beyond.
Protected From
N · NE · E · S · SE · W
Exposed To
NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring; mooring buoys available at ~$30/night through Soper's Hole Wharf
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Customs office at Soper's Hole Wharf — standard BVI entry fees apply: $7.30/person + $10 environmental levy.
Restrictions: Official customs port of entry — Q flag mandatory until cleared if arriving from abroad; no anchoring in ferry approach channel; speed limit 5 knots in harbour.
Hazards
- !Ferry traffic from West End dock to St. John USVI — maintain clear channel
- !Crowding in peak season (December–March) — mooring buoys fill early; arrive before 14:00
- !Weed patches in bay reduce holding — perform engine test after setting
- !Shoal area near the western shore — stay in the main anchorage area per chart
Skipper's Tips
- →Pusser's Landing at the wharf serves the legendary Painkiller cocktail — visit at sunset after clearing customs
- →If arriving from USVI or the west, clear customs here first — the immigration officer at the wharf has regular hours 8:30–16:30
- →Soper's Hole is the westernmost anchorage on Tortola and the natural departure point for Norman Island (3nm SE) and Jost Van Dyke (4nm N)
- →The ferry dock at West End has a large car park and taxi rank — useful for crew changes and airport transfers to Beef Island
- →Morning light from the east makes Soper's Hole spectacularly beautiful — the surrounding hillsides are lush after winter rains
Facilities
Pusser's Landing restaurant and bar (BVI institution, known for rum drinks). Several boutiques and restaurants at the wharf complex. Fuel dock available. Basic provisions at the wharf.
Nearest provisions: Soper's Hole Wharf shops and Road Town (10nm E) (0.1nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
December–April. One of the most sheltered anchorages in the BVI — usable in almost all conditions. Hurricane season avoidance applies June–November.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
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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