Water Island — Honeymoon Bay

About This Anchorage

Water Island is the fourth and smallest of the main US Virgin Islands — a quiet, largely residential island sitting 0.5nm south of Charlotte Amalie harbour with a population of only a few hundred. Honeymoon Bay on the northern side is one of the most attractive anchorages near St. Thomas — a small white sand beach with calm, clear water and a gentle, uncrowded atmosphere that feels worlds away from the cruise ship bustle of Charlotte Amalie. The bay provides good protection from the ENE trades. The island has a small community, a couple of beach bars, and is connected to St. Thomas by a passenger ferry from Crown Bay Marina. The DEIA (Department of Economic Infrastructure and Amenities) manages the island. A perfect overnight anchorage when Charlotte Amalie is too busy.

Hazards

• !Small bay with limited swinging room — anchor carefully to maintain clearance from other vessels
• !Open to south and west — rare southerly or westerly conditions make the anchorage uncomfortable
• !Ferry approach channel to Water Island ferry dock — keep clear of the small passenger ferry route
• !Shoal patches near the beach — approach with caution using depth sounder and visual lookout

Skipper's Tips

• →Water Island is a genuinely peaceful alternative to the busy Charlotte Amalie harbour — 0.5nm south and feels completely different
• →The passenger ferry to Crown Bay Marina, Charlotte Amalie runs regularly — useful for errands ashore without moving the boat
• →Honeymoon Bay has excellent snorkelling off the rocky headlands — sea turtles frequently sighted
• →Water Island has walking trails across the island — explore the World War II-era fortifications still visible in the bush
• →Sunset from Honeymoon Bay looking west over the Caribbean Sea is spectacular — one of the best in the USVI

Nearby Anchorages