Chaguaramas Bay Main Anchorage
Chaguaramas · Five Islands Anchorage
10°40.6'N 61°38.0'W
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
100m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
100m
100m radius for excellent holding in deep Gulf of Paria mud. Tidal range 0.9–1.5m — account for this when calculating scope; set for high-water depth. No swell, no surge. Well-sheltered year-round. Set anchor thoroughly — many offshore passage-makers leave their boat here for extended periods.
About This Anchorage
Chaguaramas Bay is the Caribbean's most famous hurricane hole and sailing service hub — and one of the best places in the world to leave your boat for an extended period. The bay is surrounded by the Chaguaramas National Park peninsula and protected from all directions except the west. TTSA (Trinidad & Tobago Sailing Association), Crews Inn Marina, Peake Yacht Services, Power Boats, and IMS boatyard offer world-class haul-out, engineering, painting, rigging, and electronics services at a fraction of European or North American prices. The anchorage is large, the holding in deep Gulf of Paria mud is excellent, and most boats here are passage-making vessels preparing for or returning from the South Atlantic. Chaguaramas is a natural landfall and departure point for passages to/from Venezuela, the Windward Islands, and the South Atlantic.
Protected From
N · NE · NW · S · SE
Exposed To
W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring; marina berths TTD 350–600/night; customs fee on arrival
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Customs + Immigration at Chaguaramas Yacht Services Immigration Office. Bring crew list, ship's papers, passports. Transit Zone available for 30 days initially.
Restrictions: Entry customs + immigration mandatory; Q flag required; yacht cruising permit required; do NOT enter Venezuelan waters 11km west — piracy risk
Hazards
- !Gulf of Paria tidal range 0.9–1.5m — unusual for Caribbean; set scope accounting for high water depth
- !Venezuela border 11km to the west — stay firmly in T&T waters; do not cross without clearance
- !Orinoco River discharge (Jul–Nov) reduces salinity and visibility; bottom may shift slightly
- !Bocas del Drago (Dragon's Mouth) — strong 2–4kt currents in strait to northwest
- !Ferry and barge traffic in the bay — maintain anchor watch at night
Skipper's Tips
- →Book haul-out at Peake or IMS well in advance — 6–12 weeks in high season (Nov–Feb)
- →TTSA bar is the social hub for cruisers — excellent local knowledge, weather briefings, and a warm welcome
- →Trinidad Carnival (Feb/Mar) draws thousands — anchorage very busy; arrive early for good position
- →Pre-check ARC+ Caribbean 1500 arrival dates — anchorage fills with ocean passage-makers Oct–Jan
- →The Five Islands are easily accessible by dinghy and offer snorkelling and peace away from the boatyard activity
Facilities
Crews Inn bar/restaurant on site. Multiple options in Chaguaramas village 1nm. TTSA bar excellent for local knowledge. Power Boats has a café.
Nearest provisions: Chaguaramas village (1nm)
Best Months & Season
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Year-round destination — SOUTH OF HURRICANE BELT. Best Nov–Apr for dry season and Trade Wind sailing. Jul–Nov Orinoco discharge and occasional squalls but still fully safe from hurricanes.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 100m
In Chaguaramas, the Gulf of Paria's unusual 0.9–1.5m tidal range means your scope needs to be set for the full tidal cycle. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can explore, fly home, or attend Carnival with complete confidence.
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