Clifton Harbour, Union Island
Clifton Harbour · Union Island customs
12°35.76'N 61°24.72'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m for good holding in sand/mud in 3–8m. The harbour has significant inter-island ferry and charter traffic. Position well clear of all navigation channels. Monitor VHF 16 for local traffic.
About This Anchorage
Clifton Harbour is the main town and only customs entry port on Union Island — the southernmost island of SVG and the gateway between SVG and Grenada. All vessels arriving from Grenada (or from the south) must clear customs here before proceeding north into the Grenadines. The harbour is lively with inter-island ferry traffic, fishing pirogues, and charter vessels using Union Island as a turnaround point. Union Island itself has a distinctly different character from Bequia — more Caribbean and less cosmopolitan, with a strong local culture. The Anchorage Yacht Club is the main facility for visiting sailors, with a fuel dock, restaurant, bar, and basic chandlery. The village of Clifton has small shops and a covered market. Union Island has an airstrip (UNI) connecting to Barbados and Grenada — useful for crew changes. Chatham Bay on the west coast is the preferred anchorage for overnight stays in settled conditions.
Protected From
N · NW · NE · E
Exposed To
S · SE · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in harbour; mooring buoys through local operators (confirm the rate on arrival)
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- SVG Customs and Immigration at Clifton (at the Bougainvilla since Beryl) — file via SailClear, then passports, ship's papers, last clearance and crew lists. Clear out here before heading to Grenada: Petite Martinique and Carriacou, 4 nm south, are Grenadian waters — clear in at Hillsborough or Tyrrel Bay on Carriacou.
Restrictions: Official SVG port of entry — Q flag on arrival from abroad. Since Hurricane Beryl (1 July 2024) Customs and Immigration have cleared yachts at the Bougainvilla by the harbour rather than the old office — ask on arrival. Private yachts pay the SVG cruise tax; charter yachts carry an SVG charter licence. Keep the ferry channel and the airport approach clear at all times.
Hazards
- !Inter-island ferry and traffic — active throughout the day; maintain clear channels
- !Southerly exposure — in southerly or westerly swell, the harbour can be uncomfortable
- !Shoaling near the ferry dock — use current charts and approach carefully
Skipper's Tips
- →Clear customs here immediately on arrival from Grenada — the customs office is at the Clifton town dock
- →The Anchorage Yacht Club is the most useful facility — fuel, water, internet, and a cold Hairoun beer in one place
- →Chatham Bay on the west coast (3nm away) is a much more peaceful overnight anchorage — use Clifton for services and clearance, then head west
- →Union Island airstrip (UNI) is very convenient for crew changes — 5 minutes from the anchorage by taxi
- →Ask locally about the Grenadines Regatta — Union Island hosts one of the Eastern Caribbean's great local sailing events
Facilities
Anchorage Yacht Club — restaurant, bar, fuel dock, and basic chandlery. Clifton village has local restaurants and rum shops. Small provisioning shops in the town. Union Island Airport (UNI) has connections to Barbados and Grenada.
Nearest provisions: Clifton village shops and Anchorage Yacht Club (0.1nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
December–May. Primary use is for customs clearance and provisioning — Chatham Bay or Clifton's mooring field are more comfortable for overnight.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
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