Salt Pond Bay
Salt Pond Bay St. John · South St. John Salt Pond
18°18.48'N 64°42.84'W
Depth
3–7m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
65m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
65m
65m for good holding on sand in 3–7m. Southern exposure — check weather carefully before overnight commitment. NPS rules apply — anchor only in sand. Small bay with limited swinging room. Excellent hiking from the beach into the national park.
About This Anchorage
Salt Pond Bay on the south coast of St. John is one of the more remote and pristine national park anchorages — a small, scenic bay tucked into St. John's south shore with a beautiful beach, a saltwater pond behind the sand, and superb hiking trails into the surrounding national park. The Ram Head Trail (1.5 miles round trip) leads to a dramatic cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea and is one of the finest hikes on St. John. The Drunk Bay trail leads to a rocky shoreline with dramatic wave-sculpted rocks. The bay is within the Virgin Islands National Park and offers good sand holding with reasonable protection from the ENE trades. The south and southwest exposure requires weather monitoring. A genuinely off-the-beaten-path anchorage for those who have explored the more famous north coast bays.
Protected From
N · NE · NW · W · E
Exposed To
S · SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in sand
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: NPS national park — anchor only in sand; no anchoring on coral or seagrass; Ram Head and Drunk Bay trails require staying on marked paths; no collecting rocks, shells, or plants.
Hazards
- !Southern exposure — south swell in weather systems makes the anchorage uncomfortable and potentially unsafe; monitor weather carefully
- !Small bay — limited swinging room; careful anchor placement required to avoid other vessels and coral patches
- !Remote location — no facilities; carry all provisions and water
- !Approach from north or northeast — use chart to identify and avoid coral heads on the approach from Coral Bay
Skipper's Tips
- →The Ram Head Trail from Salt Pond Bay beach is one of the most dramatic hikes in the USVI — the cliff top views over the Caribbean Sea are outstanding
- →Salt Pond Bay is best enjoyed mid-week when it is often completely empty — a genuinely solitary national park anchorage
- →The saltwater pond behind the beach is a unique ecosystem — flamingoes have been spotted here historically, and the pond edges are rich in bird life
- →Drunk Bay (10-minute walk east from the beach) is a stunning rocky shoreline — bring shoes, the terrain is rough but the scenery is extraordinary
- →Snorkelling off both headlands flanking the bay is excellent — healthy reef with good coral diversity and fish life
Facilities
No facilities at Salt Pond Bay. Fully self-sufficient anchorage. Coral Bay (2nm NE) has basic services.
Nearest provisions: Coral Bay (2nm NE) (2nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
December–April in settled conditions. Southern exposure limits overnight safety in any weather system. Best as a day stop or in flat, settled conditions. Outstanding hiking destination.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 65m
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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