Frenchman Bay
Frenchman Bay anchorage · South St. Thomas
18°19.62'N 64°57.24'W
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m for good holding in 4–10m sand/mud. Generally quieter than Charlotte Amalie with less commercial traffic. Set anchor firmly on sand — some mud patches. Open to south in weather systems.
About This Anchorage
Frenchman Bay sits on the south shore of St. Thomas just east of Water Island — a quieter anchorage than the main Charlotte Amalie harbour with good protection from the prevailing ENE trades. The bay has sand and mud holding and sees considerably less commercial and cruise ship traffic than the main harbour while remaining within easy dinghy range of Charlotte Amalie's facilities. The area is primarily residential and the anchorage is used mainly by local sailors and visiting cruisers looking for a quieter berth near the capital. The nearby Frenchman's Reef Resort (a landmark St. Thomas hotel on the headland) provides a reference point for the approach. Good option when Charlotte Amalie is overcrowded with cruise ship-related activity.
Protected From
N · NE · E · NW
Exposed To
S · SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Anchor only in sand or mud — no coral anchoring; stay clear of any resort beach areas or private property; speed 5 knots in the anchorage.
Hazards
- !Open to south and southwest — southerly swell in weather systems makes the anchorage uncomfortable
- !Resort beach areas — maintain distance from any private resort beach or waterfront property
- !Limited facilities — carry full water and provisions; nearest services at Charlotte Amalie
- !Cruise ship wake can reach this area — boats in the anchorage may roll when large ships pass Charlotte Amalie
Skipper's Tips
- →Frenchman Bay is an excellent quieter alternative when Charlotte Amalie harbour is dominated by cruise ships — same dinghy distance to town
- →The Frenchman's Reef area has a good view of arriving cruise ships — spectacular if you enjoy watching large ships manoeuvre
- →Dinghy to Crown Bay Marina for provisioning without moving the boat — 20-minute dinghy ride in calm conditions
- →The anchorage offers good sunset views to the west over Water Island
- →Confirm anchor is firmly set on sand — some mud bottom reduces holding quality; engine test recommended
Facilities
No facilities directly in the anchorage. Nearest provisions and restaurants at Crown Bay Marina, Charlotte Amalie (2.5nm by dinghy/water taxi).
Nearest provisions: Crown Bay Marina, Charlotte Amalie (2.5nm NW) (2.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
December–April. A quieter alternative to Charlotte Amalie for overnight stays. Good base for visiting the capital without dealing with the full harbour.
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.
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