Jersey Bay

About This Anchorage

Jersey Bay is a quieter anchorage on the south coast of St. Thomas, east of Frenchman Bay — a spot used primarily by local sailors and visiting cruisers willing to explore beyond the main anchorages. The bay offers sand holding and some protection from the northern land mass of St. Thomas, but the southern exposure is significant and must be monitored. The surrounding hillsides are green and residential, giving the anchorage a calm, secluded feel compared to the busier northern approaches. Jersey Bay is best suited as a day stop or in settled weather conditions with no southerly swell forecast. The proximity to Charlotte Amalie makes it accessible to town facilities by dinghy.

Hazards

• !Significant southern exposure — southerly swell or wind from weather systems creates uncomfortable and potentially unsafe conditions
• !Coral heads on approach — use chart and visual lookout; enter cautiously with crew on bow watch
• !No facilities — self-sufficient anchorage only; carry all provisions and water
• !Limited weather shelter — monitor forecasts carefully; leave if southerly conditions develop

Skipper's Tips

• →Jersey Bay is best as a day stop in settled weather — the southern exposure makes overnight stays risky without careful forecast monitoring
• →Check PredictWind or Windy for southerly swell before committing — even 0.3m south swell rolls into this anchorage
• →The anchorage gives a quiet, local St. Thomas experience — no tourist infrastructure but genuine Caribbean character
• →Dinghy to Charlotte Amalie for provisioning — longer ride than from Frenchman Bay but manageable in calm conditions
• →Good snorkelling off the rocky headlands either side of the bay — undisturbed reef with good fish life

Nearby Anchorages