Friendship Bay, Bequia
Friendship Bay anchorage · East Bequia anchorage
12°59.40'N 61°12.78'W
Depth
3–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m for good holding on sand in 3–12m. Southerly and easterly exposure — check forecast before overnight. Settled NE trade conditions are comfortable here.
About This Anchorage
Friendship Bay on Bequia's southeast coast is a beautiful, peaceful anchorage well away from the main Port Elizabeth scene — a broad sandy bay backed by the Friendship Bay Hotel and a quiet stretch of beach fringed with coconut palms. The bay is open to the south and east, making it more exposed than Admiralty Bay, but in settled NE trade wind conditions it is a delightful alternative for sailors seeking solitude. The Friendship Bay Hotel has a charming bar and restaurant open to visiting sailors. The beach is excellent for swimming, and the surrounding reefs offer good snorkelling. Few visiting yachts make the short detour around the eastern point of Bequia, which means the bay is almost always quiet. The passage around the eastern tip of Bequia can be rough in strong trades — keep well offshore of the reef and give the rocks a wide berth.
Protected From
N · NW · W
Exposed To
S · SE · E
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring
- Permit required
- Yes
Restrictions: Cruising permit required for SVG. Approach from the west — eastern headland has reef — keep wide berth. Anchor clear of beach swim areas.
Hazards
- !Eastern headland reef — approach from the west; give the eastern tip of Bequia a wide berth in strong trades
- !Southerly and easterly exposure — check forecast; can be uncomfortable overnight in swell
- !Remote from services — carry full provisions; nearest fuel and water at Port Elizabeth
Skipper's Tips
- →Friendship Bay is Bequia's secret — few visiting yachts come this far east; enjoy the solitude
- →The Friendship Bay Hotel bar is open to visitors — a cold Hairoun beer and local food in a relaxed setting
- →Dinghy snorkelling on the reefs around the eastern headland reveals excellent Caribbean marine life
- →If Admiralty Bay is overcrowded in peak season, this is your answer — a short sail for total peace
- →The passage back to Admiralty Bay is a fast and exhilarating beam reach in the NE trades
Facilities
Friendship Bay Hotel bar and restaurant — welcoming to visiting sailors; local Vincentian cuisine. No fuel or water at anchorage — nearest services at Port Elizabeth (2.5nm W).
Nearest provisions: Port Elizabeth, Bequia (2.5nm W) (2.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
December–May in settled NE trade conditions. Not recommended in southerly swell or strong easterly trades. A peaceful alternative to the busy main anchorage.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
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