Cowpet Bay
Cowpet Bay anchorage · St. Thomas East
18°19.20'N 64°51.72'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m for good holding on sand in 3–8m. Good set with ENE trades. Open to the south — in rare southerly conditions anchorage becomes exposed. St. Thomas Yacht Club moorings in the bay; anchor clear of any mooring lines.
About This Anchorage
Cowpet Bay on the southeast coast of St. Thomas is a quieter residential anchorage — home to the St. Thomas Yacht Club and a popular spot for local sailors. The bay has good sand holding and reasonable protection from the ENE trades, making it a comfortable overnight anchorage as an alternative to the busier Red Hook to the north. The Yacht Club hosts regattas and events throughout the season. Great St. James Island lies immediately to the southeast, and Christmas Cove (one of the most popular anchorages near St. Thomas) is just around the headland. The anchorage has a local, non-tourist feel and is often less crowded than nearby spots. Dinghy to shore at the Yacht Club or explore the small headland to the east by snorkelling.
Protected From
N · NW · W · NE
Exposed To
S · SE · E
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Stay clear of St. Thomas Yacht Club racing marks and course; do not use private or club mooring buoys without permission; anchor only in sand — no coral anchoring.
Hazards
- !Open to south and southeast — southerly swell from weather systems makes anchorage uncomfortable
- !Yacht club racing activity — racing marks and courses change seasonally; check for racing schedules
- !Private mooring buoys — do not use without permission; anchor clear of all mooring lines
- !Ferry traffic between Red Hook and St. John visible nearby — maintain awareness of fast ferries
Skipper's Tips
- →Christmas Cove on Great St. James Island (1nm east) is a superb snorkelling destination — dinghy over for the afternoon
- →Cowpet Bay is an ideal anchorage when Red Hook is full — quieter, good holding, same proximity to Red Hook facilities
- →St. Thomas Yacht Club events calendar is posted online — timing a visit around a regatta makes for excellent spectating
- →The snorkelling off the western headland of the bay has good reef fish and decent coral formations
- →Cell coverage is excellent here — download NOAA charts and weather before heading east toward St. John
Facilities
St. Thomas Yacht Club has bar and restaurant — visitors may be welcome; check with the club. Nearest full provisioning at Red Hook (2nm north).
Nearest provisions: Red Hook (2nm N) (2nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
December–April. A quieter alternative to Red Hook for east St. Thomas. Yacht Club activity peaks January–March regatta season.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
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.
Download Free for iOS