Bloody Bay
Bloody Bay Tobago
11°19.0'N 60°36.2'W
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m for good holding on sand 4–10m. North-facing — exposed to northerly swells. Day stop or calm-conditions overnight. Main Ridge rainforest backdrop is extraordinary.
About This Anchorage
Bloody Bay is one of Tobago's most dramatic and atmospheric anchorages — a bay directly backed by the untouched Main Ridge Forest Reserve, with the forest growing right down to the beach edge. The name comes from a 1666 naval battle between Dutch and British fleets in which the Dutch were victorious and the waters reportedly ran red. Today the bay is one of the most pristine and wildlife-rich anchorages in Tobago. The Main Ridge forest above the bay is accessible by a trail from the beach — birdwatching here is exceptional. Motmots, trogons, manakins, and hundreds of other species inhabit the forest. No facilities, no development, and extraordinary natural beauty. North-facing and exposed to northerly swells — a day stop or overnight in calm conditions.
Protected From
S · SE · SW · W
Exposed To
N · NW · NE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Main Ridge Forest Reserve — oldest protected forest in western hemisphere (1776); strictly no removal of wildlife or plants; stay on trails in the forest; no fires; carry out all rubbish
Hazards
- !Exposed to north and northwest swells — monitor forecasts; overnight only in calm settled conditions
- !Completely remote — no facilities, no help nearby; carry full emergency equipment
- !Main Ridge forest has excellent but sometimes slippery trails — appropriate footwear needed
Skipper's Tips
- →Bloody Bay is one of the Caribbean's great wilderness anchorages — forest, beach, and total solitude
- →The Main Ridge forest walk from the beach is extraordinary for birdwatching — motmots, trogons, and hummingbirds
- →Visit early morning before the trade wind builds — conditions are most settled at dawn and the bird activity in the forest is at its peak
- →Bring a naturalist guide for the forest — the biodiversity is staggering but benefits enormously from expert interpretation
Facilities
No facilities whatsoever. Carry all provisions. Nearest services at Charlotteville 4nm.
Nearest provisions: Charlotteville village (4nm) (4nm)
Best Months & Season
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Year-round (south of hurricane belt). Best Jan–May settled conditions. A remote wilderness anchorage requiring complete self-sufficiency. Extraordinary destination for naturalists.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
On Tobago's wild Atlantic coast, swell can build and shift overnight. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — giving you confidence to sleep in even the most remote windward anchorages.
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