Anegada — Loblolly Bay
Loblolly Bay Anegada · Cow Wreck Beach
18°44.50'N 64°20.30'W
Depth
2–4m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
55m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
55m
55m day-use anchor in sand 2–4m. Shallow lagoon — set firmly. Do NOT overnight here. Return to Setting Point by 16:00 before light deteriorates. Horseshoe Reef to the north means any dragging to the north is dangerous — the anchor alarm is critical even for day use.
About This Anchorage
Loblolly Bay on Anegada's north coast is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful anchorages in the entire Caribbean — a pristine sweep of pale pink sand and turquoise shallow water, protected from the ocean by the inner lagoon formed behind Horseshoe Reef. Cow Wreck Beach Bar (named for the bleached cow bones that once washed ashore from a wrecked livestock ship) serves the finest lobster meals in the BVI from a simple beach shack. The snorkelling on the inner side of Horseshoe Reef directly offshore from Loblolly Bay is extraordinary — schooling fish, sea turtles, and hard corals in crystal-clear shallow water. This is a day anchorage only — the north exposure to open Atlantic means overnight stays are inadvisable. Overnight at Setting Point (2nm W) and dinghy or sail to Loblolly Bay for the day.
Protected From
S · SW · SE · W
Exposed To
N · NE · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free day-use anchoring in sand
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: DAY USE ONLY — north exposure; do not overnight; no anchoring on reef or seagrass; Horseshoe Reef is a protected fisheries zone to the north — no fishing anywhere near the reef.
Hazards
- !DAY USE ONLY — north exposure to open Atlantic; overnight stay in northerly conditions is dangerous
- !HORSESHOE REEF to the north — no fishing; no diving without certified guide; anchor drag northward is onto reef — anchor alarm mandatory even day-use
- !Very shallow approach (2–4m) — minimum 0.5m underkeel clearance; approach via Setting Point and around the western end of the island in good light
- !No facilities except Cow Wreck Beach Bar — carry water and provisions
- !Strong east-set current along the north coast — plan dinghy rides accordingly
Skipper's Tips
- →Reserve lobster at Cow Wreck Beach Bar the previous evening by VHF 16 — it is caught fresh and must be reserved in advance; the grilled whole lobster is a Caribbean peak experience
- →The snorkelling directly off Loblolly Bay beach on the inner reef face is superb — bring fins and mask from the main boat
- →The water colour at Loblolly Bay — white sand bottom, 2–3m depth, brilliant sunlight — is the most photogenic in the BVI; Instagram peak
- →Leave Loblolly Bay by 15:00 to return to Setting Point in good light for the return passage to the south
- →Loblolly Bay to Setting Point by dinghy takes 20 minutes along the sheltered south coast of Anegada — the lagoon water is flat and beautiful
Facilities
Cow Wreck Beach Bar and Restaurant — famous for fresh Anegada lobster; reserve ahead by VHF 16 or phone. Flash of Beauty beach bar (basic drinks) at the eastern end of Loblolly Bay.
Nearest provisions: Setting Point, Anegada (2nm W) (2nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
December–April day use only. Best December–February when north Atlantic swell is lower. Always check swell forecasts before the day trip from Setting Point — 0.5m north swell makes Loblolly Bay untenable.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 55m
In Anegada waters, the Horseshoe Reef leaves no margin for anchor drag. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — essential in these waters.
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