Wallilabou Bay
Walliabou Bay · Pirates of the Caribbean Bay
13°13.98'N 61°15.90'W
Depth
4–14m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m for good holding in sand/mud in 4–14m. Boat boys will offer mooring lines ashore — this is a local custom and welcome assistance; tip $5–10 USD. In westerly swell, anchorage can become uncomfortable — alarm is particularly important overnight.
About This Anchorage
Wallilabou Bay on St. Vincent's west coast is famous throughout the sailing world as the location where Disney filmed Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003). The old colonial-era fort ruins and some film set structures remain visible ashore, giving the bay a distinctly dramatic atmosphere. The anchorage offers good holding in sand and mud, well-protected from the NE trades by the island mass, though open to the west. Boat boys from the local community are active here — they assist with mooring lines tied to shore trees, offer fresh fruit, vegetables, lobster, and local knowledge. This is a genuine local economy and the service is genuinely helpful; budget $5–10 USD in tips. The Wallilabou Anchorage restaurant and bar serves local food and rum drinks. A few rum shops and informal eateries are ashore. The dramatic volcanic hillsides and lush tropical vegetation make this one of the most visually spectacular anchorages in SVG.
Protected From
E · SE · NE · N
Exposed To
W · NW · SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring; mooring lines ashore managed by boat boys (~$5–10 USD tip)
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- SVG cruising permit ~$10–25 USD depending on vessel LOA. Entry via customs at Kingstown, Wallilabou Bay, Blue Lagoon, or Villa Beach anchorage.
Restrictions: Cruising permit required for SVG; customs clearance at Kingstown or Wallilabou Bay customs point; boat boys are official local operators — do not refuse their assistance rudely, but you may decline politely.
Hazards
- !Western exposure — swell can enter bay in westerly or NW conditions; monitor forecasts
- !Boat boys active — expect immediate approach on anchoring; polite communication is key
- !Limited depth in eastern end of bay — approach carefully and use chart
- !Flash flooding risk after heavy rain — volcanic hillsides drain rapidly into the bay
Skipper's Tips
- →Wallilabou is an approved customs entry point — you can clear in here rather than sailing to Kingstown first
- →The boat boys are genuinely useful — they will hold your stern line to a tree for $5–10 USD, making anchoring much easier in the confined bay
- →The Pirates of the Caribbean film set ruins are worth exploring by dinghy — the colonial fort at the water's edge is particularly atmospheric
- →Provisioning here is excellent from the boat boys — fresh local vegetables, bananas, and lobster when available
- →Budget tip: anchor here first night after arrival from Martinique or St. Lucia — customs clears you in and saves the sail to Kingstown
Facilities
Wallilabou Anchorage Restaurant and bar on the waterfront — local Caribbean food, rum drinks. Boat boys sell fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, and lobster from their boats. No fuel or piped water at anchorage.
Nearest provisions: Kingstown markets (11nm S) (11nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
December–May (dry season, NE trades steady). Hurricane season June–November — SVG is partly in hurricane belt. Wallilabou Bay is open to the west and not ideal in unsettled conditions.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
St. Vincent's volcanic anchorages are beautiful but can be exposed to overnight swell. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can explore ashore with confidence.
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