Ports and moorings in the Northern Islands : Water Sports

Water sports : Ports and moorings in the Northern Islands

Ports and moorings in Anguilla

Anguilla is disposed in North East/South East directions: The North West coast is sheltered from the wind, which is not the case of the South East coast, opposite of Saint Maarten, where waves are high and Atlantic winds blow all year round. Due to ecological reasons you can wharf only in officially appointed, authorized places. The Southern “Windy” coast close to Saint Maarten also harbours certain moorings, although often of mediocre quality and very few people around. A narrow sea channel provides access to moorings in Blowing Bay, but be cautious while passing through. To the West, behind the coral reef extending after Shaddick Point, mooring is possible in Rendez-Vous Bay, right in front of a beautiful long beach.

On the leeward side, protected from the winds, Road Bay offers a perfect place to wharf in front of the village of Sandy Ground, with its sandy seabed and shores. Slightly North, you can tie up in Crocus Bay close to a lovely but not so lively beach of sand (on the Southern part of Flat Cap Point, mooring is forbidden in the “natural reserve” zone).

On the North coast, navigating towards Island Harbour is less obvious due to the significant number of coral reefs, and this route is generally forbidden for those renting a boat. Mooring on other tiny islands off the shore of Anguilla, however, is authorized. Opposite Road Bay, Sandy Island offers one-day tie ups for those appreciating the cliché of white sand and coconut trees. North of Anguilla, a coral archipelago, Prickly Pear provides only one good place to moor: on the North coast of Prickly Pear East, with another possibility in the small bay of the West coast: authorized but in poor condition. Boats visiting Anguilla generally leave Road Bay and spend the day in Sandy Island or Prickly Pear.

Ports and moorings in Saba

Saba’s rough coast of a volcano emerging from the sea is only rarely visited by tourists, who often prefer the smooth access to the island, from the direction of Saint Maarten. The island’s small port is situated in Fort Bay, protected by a breakwater; disembarkation is possible here with regards to available space. Three areas of mooring are authorized on the island: Fort Bay and Ladder Bay on the West coast and Well’s Bay to the North-West. All three bays are protected from the winds by the volcano, though none of them are completely in shelter from them.