Red Hook Bay
Red Hook · Red Hook Marina · American Yacht Harbor
18°19.98'N 64°51.96'W
Depth
3–9m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m for good holding in 3–9m sand/mud. Ferry traffic is constant — position anchor clear of ferry channel approach. Charter boat traffic throughout the day. In south swell (rare) the anchorage becomes exposed. Set anchor firmly with engine test before leaving unattended.
About This Anchorage
Red Hook on the eastern tip of St. Thomas is the busiest charter sailing hub in the USVI — the departure point for the BVI, home to American Yacht Harbor (a full-service marina), and the St. John ferry terminal. Numerous charter companies are based here, and the anchorage is typically busy with charter boats preparing for or returning from BVI passages. The Waterfront bar and restaurant strip at Red Hook is lively, with several popular establishments. The ferry to Cruz Bay, St. John runs every hour and takes 20 minutes. From Red Hook, the passage to Soper's Hole BVI is approximately 9nm east — the most common route for USVI-to-BVI crossings. CBP ROAM clearance must be obtained before departing for BVI or any foreign port. Red Hook has fuel, ice, provisions, and chandlery — an excellent final stop before heading east.
Protected From
N · NW · W · NE
Exposed To
S · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring; American Yacht Harbor dockage at standard marina rates
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Stay clear of ferry approach channel (marked); speed limit 5 knots in the anchorage; do not block ferry dock or dinghies operating in the area; VHF 16 for marina and Coast Guard.
Hazards
- !Ferry traffic — St. John ferries run every hour and move at speed; maintain clear passage in ferry channel at all times
- !Charter boat congestion — peak season sees very high traffic of charter vessels entering and departing
- !Open to south and southeast — rare southerly conditions expose anchorage to swell
- !Dinghy traffic throughout the bay — busy tender traffic to and from shore at American Yacht Harbor
- !Weed patches in parts of the anchorage — confirm holding with engine test before departure
Skipper's Tips
- →Red Hook is the ideal last stop before a BVI passage — fuel, provision, and clear CBP ROAM here before the 9nm crossing to Soper's Hole
- →The St. John ferry from Red Hook runs every hour — useful for a day trip to Cruz Bay without sailing around to St. John
- →Duffy's Love Shack at Red Hook is a St. Thomas institution — the Volcano cocktail (presented in dramatic flaming fashion) is the signature drink
- →American Yacht Harbor (VHF 16) has good chandlery supplies for last-minute repairs before a BVI crossing
- →Call ahead to American Yacht Harbor for slip availability — in January–March, the marina fills completely with charter boats
Facilities
Red Hook waterfront has multiple restaurants and bars including Duffy's Love Shack, Off the Hook, and others. American Yacht Harbor has marine services, chandlery, and fuel dock. Small grocery stores and provisioning shops nearby.
Nearest provisions: Red Hook (American Yacht Harbor, local grocery stores) (0.2nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
December–April. Busiest charter traffic January–March. Ferry services run year-round. Best provisioning and services on east St. Thomas.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
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