Charlotte Amalie Harbour
Charlotte Amalie · St. Thomas Harbour · Crown Bay
18°20.46'N 64°55.98'W
Depth
5–15m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m for good holding in 5–15m sand/mud. Cruise ship wash, ferry traffic, and commercial harbour activity require generous alarm radius. Reduce to 70m in calm conditions with good set. Confirm anchor is firmly set — weed patches can reduce holding significantly. Monitor VHF 16 for Coast Guard traffic.
About This Anchorage
Charlotte Amalie is the capital of the US Virgin Islands — a world-famous duty-free port and one of the Caribbean's busiest cruise ship destinations. The harbour can host up to six large cruise ships simultaneously, and the waterfront is lined with duty-free shops selling jewellery, watches, perfume, and alcohol at US-territory prices. The town itself climbs the surrounding hillsides with historic Danish colonial architecture (Denmark sold the islands to the US in 1917 for $25 million). Hassel Island NPS lies in the middle of the harbour. Crown Bay Marina on the western side provides dockage, fuel, chandlery, and provisions. The anchorage is large and well-protected from the ENE trades but the constant commercial activity — cruise ship arrivals, ferries to St. John, water taxis — makes this one of the noisier anchorages in the USVI. CBP clearance through the ROAM app is mandatory on arrival from the BVI or any foreign port. Best used as a transit stop for provisioning and clearance rather than an extended stay.
Protected From
N · NE · NW · E · W
Exposed To
S
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- No anchoring fee; Crown Bay Marina dockage available at standard rates
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- US CBP clearance via ROAM app or in person at Charlotte Amalie CBP office (Crown Bay area). All crew must have valid US entry documentation (US citizens need passport or equivalent; foreign nationals need valid visa/ESTA as applicable).
Restrictions: CBP ROAM clearance mandatory on arrival from any foreign port; stay clear of cruise ship berths and designated ferry channels; harbour speed limit 5 knots; VHF 16 for port authority and Coast Guard.
Hazards
- !Cruise ship wash — very large cruise ships create significant wake; ensure anchor is well set and vessel is not in path of manoeuvring ships
- !Ferry traffic — high-speed ferries to St. John run frequently; maintain clear passage in ferry channels
- !Commercial harbour traffic — water taxis, tour boats, and cargo vessels throughout the anchorage area
- !Weed patches reduce holding — perform engine test after setting; re-anchor if drag is detected
- !Security — Charlotte Amalie has urban waterfront security concerns; lock dinghy and outboard; use established dinghy docks
Skipper's Tips
- →Use the CBP ROAM app to complete customs clearance before entering USVI waters from BVI — saves significant time and potential boarding inspections
- →Crown Bay Marina (VHF 16) has fuel, water, chandlery, and dockage — call ahead for berth availability especially during peak season
- →Main Street Charlotte Amalie is the duty-free shopping district — jewellery and spirits at significant discounts vs. US mainland prices; worth a day ashore
- →Hassel Island NPS (the island in the middle of the harbour) is a National Park unit with hiking trails and historical ruins — dinghy ashore and explore
- →Provision at Cost-U-Less (west of Crown Bay) for the best selection and prices in the USVI — the main wholesale-style supermarket serving the islands
Facilities
Charlotte Amalie has extensive dining options from local fungi-and-fish establishments to international restaurants. Crown Bay Marina has marina bar and provisions. Main duty-free shopping district on Main Street. Excellent provisioning at Cost-U-Less (the USVI's main wholesale/retail store) and other supermarkets.
Nearest provisions: Charlotte Amalie (Cost-U-Less, Crown Bay Marina) (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
December–April (dry season, steady ENE trades). Hurricane season June–November — USVI should be evacuated by end of May. Peak cruise traffic November–April; July–August also busy with US tourists. Most anchorage traffic January–March.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 90m
In USVI waters, cruise ship wash and ferry traffic can cause unexpected anchor drag. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can explore Charlotte Amalie with confidence.
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