Coral Bay
Coral Bay St. John · East St. John Coral Bay
18°19.92'N 64°42.42'W
Depth
4–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
85m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
85m
85m for good holding in 4–12m sand/mud. Excellent all-round protection — one of the most sheltered anchorages in the USVI. The large bay allows ample swinging room. Open only to the southeast. Hurricane Hole mangroves (northeast arm) provide maximum protection in storm conditions.
About This Anchorage
Coral Bay is the second community on St. John — a small, eclectic, and decidedly local community on the island's east end that stands in stark contrast to the tourist-oriented Cruz Bay. The bay itself is one of the most protected large anchorages in the USVI — surrounded by land on nearly all sides with excellent holding in sand and mud. The surrounding mangroves (particularly Hurricane Hole to the northeast) provide extraordinary storm protection. Coral Bay village has a small grocery, a few bars and restaurants (including Shipwreck Landing and the Skinny Legs Bar — local institutions), a fuel dock, and a community of live-aboard cruisers. The mangrove arms of Hurricane Hole are accessible by dinghy and offer extraordinary natural beauty and bird life. Coral Bay is the starting point for snorkelling and diving on the eastern side of St. John and the passage to St. Croix.
Protected From
N · NW · NE · E · W · S
Exposed To
SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring; private mooring balls available at nightly rates
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Anchor only in sand/mud — no coral anchoring; respect mooring ball assignments; Hurricane Hole NPS area — dinghy access only, no anchoring in the mangrove arms.
Hazards
- !Shallow approaches from the west — the approach to Coral Bay from Cruz Bay passes through shallow areas; use chart and local knowledge or approach from the south
- !Mooring ball assignments — private operators maintain moorings; check correct operator to pay
- !Dinghy trip to Hurricane Hole — the mangrove arms are navigable by dinghy only; tides are minimal but low water reveals roots
- !Remote from main services — provisioning is basic compared to Cruz Bay or Charlotte Amalie
Skipper's Tips
- →Skinny Legs Bar is the heart of Coral Bay community life — cold beer, good burgers, live music, and a genuinely local atmosphere; one of the best USVI sailing stops
- →Dinghy into Hurricane Hole mangrove arms at high tide — extraordinary natural environment with nurse sharks, rays, and spectacular mangrove root systems
- →The east side of St. John (accessible from Coral Bay) has some of the most pristine snorkelling in the USVI — less visited than the north coast bays
- →Coral Bay to St. Croix is a 60–70nm overnight passage — Coral Bay is the standard departure point for the longer USVI passages south
- →The Coral Bay community bulletin board (at Skinny Legs) is the social hub — local events, ride shares, and services posted daily
Facilities
Skinny Legs Bar and Restaurant (beloved local bar with live music), Shipwreck Landing, and other small establishments. Small grocery store in Coral Bay village. Fuel dock available. Basic but genuine local Caribbean community services.
Nearest provisions: Coral Bay village (small grocery and Skinny Legs) (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
December–April. One of the most protected anchorages in the USVI — suitable in stronger wind conditions. Hurricane Hole provides maximum storm protection. Live-aboard community present year-round.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 85m
In the Virgin Islands National Park, anchor drag toward coral reef carries environmental and legal consequences. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can enjoy St. John's stunning beaches with confidence.
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