Best Anchorages in the US Virgin Islands

St. Thomas is the most visited island in the USVI — Charlotte Amalie is a world-class duty-free port and one of the Caribbean's busiest cruise destinations. Red Hook on the east end is the major charter base, the departure point for BVI crossings, and the ferry hub for St. John. Water Island, the fourth USVI island, sits in Charlotte Amalie harbour and offers a peaceful alternative to the busy main port. Christmas Cove on Great St. James Island has famous snorkelling and the legendary Pizza Pi floating pizza boat. The anchorages range from very busy commercial harbours (Charlotte Amalie) to quiet local bays (Frenchman Bay, Water Island). CBP ROAM clearance is mandatory for all vessels arriving from the BVI.

CBP ROAM app clearance mandatory on arrival from BVI or any foreign port. No anchoring on coral or seagrass. Charlotte Amalie: cruise ship wash — give way at all times. Red Hook: ferry traffic constant — keep channel clear.

Approximately two-thirds of St. John is designated Virgin Islands National Park — one of the most pristine national parks in the US system. NPS mooring balls ($26/night) are mandatory in designated park bays (Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, Francis Bay). No anchoring on coral or seagrass throughout park waters. Cruz Bay is the main town and a CBP port of entry. Trunk Bay is consistently ranked among the world's most beautiful beaches, with an NPS Underwater Snorkel Trail through the reef. Coral Bay on the east end has a small, eclectic community and Hurricane Hole — the finest hurricane refuge in the USVI, with mangrove arms providing all-round protection. Maho Bay is one of the best places in the Caribbean to see green sea turtles feeding in the seagrass.

NPS mooring balls $26/night in designated park bays — NO ANCHORING in Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, Francis Bay. Anchor ONLY in sand throughout USVI/NPS waters. CBP ROAM clearance at Cruz Bay if arriving from BVI. NPS rangers enforce rules actively.

St. Croix is the largest USVI island and the most distinct in character — dramatically less visited by cruising sailors than St. Thomas or St. John, with a fascinating history and excellent sailing. Christiansted, the main town, has some of the best-preserved Danish colonial architecture in the Caribbean and a good restaurant scene. Buck Island Reef National Monument (5nm east of Christiansted) is one of the most significant marine protected areas in the US National Park system — NPS mooring balls only, absolutely no anchoring (federal law), and an extraordinary Underwater Trail through the elkhorn coral. Salt River Bay is the site of the only documented Columbus-Caribbean indigenous encounter (1493) and is now a National Historical Park. Cane Bay on the north coast has a world-famous wall dive dropping to over 900 metres.

Buck Island: NO ANCHORING — federal law, NPS mooring balls only ($26/night or day use). Christiansted harbour entry via marked channel ONLY (barrier reef). CBP ROAM clearance on arrival from BVI. No anchoring on coral throughout USVI waters.