Gorda Sound
North Sound anchorage field · Eustatia Sound
18°29.40'N 64°22.20'W
Depth
4–15m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m for excellent holding on sand in 4–15m. The open sound positions anchor drag risk at near-zero in normal trade conditions. The full protection makes this one of the most confidence-inspiring anchorages in the BVI. Set firmly and set 75m as a standard precautionary radius.
About This Anchorage
The open anchorage areas throughout Gorda Sound (North Sound) — away from the BEYC mooring field and Leverick Bay — offer some of the best free anchoring in the BVI. The sound is huge (approximately 3km × 2km) with excellent sand holding throughout and almost complete protection from the NE trade winds by the surrounding reefs and hills. Eustatia Sound at the northeast corner, with 3–6m over sand, gives a particularly peaceful spot with good access to snorkelling at Eustatia Island. The Bitter End and Saba Rock are both accessible by dinghy. This is the BVI anchorage for sailors who want shelter, flat water, good holding, and the option to access world-class facilities by dinghy without paying for a mooring buoy.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · NW · W
Exposed To
None (fully sheltered)
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in sand throughout open sound areas
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: No anchoring on coral or seagrass; respect BEYC mooring field boundaries (no anchoring inside the mooring field); speed limit 5 knots throughout North Sound.
Hazards
- !Shoal patches in the eastern and northeast margins of the sound — use chart; do not explore shallows without visual lookout
- !Dinghy run to facilities — plan dinghy fuel and outboard condition before anchoring far from marinas
- !Eustatia Sound entrance has shallow coral heads — approach with lookout in bow; 3–6m but heads to 1m exist
Skipper's Tips
- →The eastern Gorda Sound anchorage offers complete privacy with the same protection as BEYC — use it when the mooring field is full
- →Eustatia Island's fringing reef has some of the best snorkelling in North Sound — anchor in sand near the island and explore by snorkel
- →10-minute dinghy to BEYC bar from any Gorda Sound anchorage — the open sound is calm and dinghy rides are straightforward
- →At night, the bioluminescence in Gorda Sound can be spectacular — the sheltered water allows kayaking in the dark safely
Facilities
No facilities at the open anchorage. BEYC, Saba Rock, and Leverick Bay all accessible by dinghy (10–20 minutes) with full facilities.
Nearest provisions: Leverick Bay Marina (by dinghy, 15 min) (1.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
December–April. The best free anchoring in the eastern BVI — complete protection, excellent holding, great facilities by dinghy.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 75m
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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