Speightstown Roadstead
Speightstown anchorage · Little Bristol anchorage
13°15.18'N 59°38.46'W
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
85m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
85m
85m for good holding on sand in 4–10m. Open roadstead — in any westerly or northwesterly conditions, the anchorage is exposed. Good shelter from ENE trades under the island mass. Monitor forecasts for any weather system swell.
About This Anchorage
Speightstown is the second-largest town in Barbados and the historic trading centre of the north — nicknamed 'Little Bristol' by early English settlers due to its active commerce with Bristol, England. The waterfront has been sensitively restored and the town has good provisioning, local restaurants, and the excellent Arlington Museum covering Barbadian heritage. The anchorage is a roadstead off the town — well-protected from the ENE trades but open to the west. A charming and less-visited alternative to the busy Platinum Coast hotel strip further south. Local fishermen operate traditional Bajan fishing boats from the beach, and the morning fish market is an authentic Barbadian scene. Six Men's Bay (1.5nm north) offers slightly better protection as a complement.
Protected From
E · NE · SE
Exposed To
W · NW · SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- No anchoring fee
- Permit required
- Yes
Restrictions: Customs cleared at Bridgetown required. Open roadstead — not ideal for overnight in unsettled conditions. Fishing boat traffic from town beach — maintain clearance.
Hazards
- !Open roadstead — exposed to west and NW; not suitable for overnight in weather system swell
- !Local fishing boat traffic from town beach throughout the day
- !Northerly swell can wrap around the north cape of Barbados — more exposed than southern west coast bays
Skipper's Tips
- →The morning fish market at Speightstown beach is one of the most authentic scenes in Barbados — worth a 07:00 dinghy trip
- →Fisherman's Pub in Speightstown is the best-value local meal on the west coast — Bajan fish and macaroni pie
- →Arlington Museum covers 400 years of Barbadian history — highly recommended for a morning ashore
- →Six Men's Bay (1.5nm N) is a quieter overnight alternative with better protection from the north
Facilities
Several local restaurants in Speightstown: Fisherman's Pub (cheap, authentic, local fish), The Orange Street Grocer. Local provisioning at village shops — not as comprehensive as Bridgetown or Holetown.
Nearest provisions: Speightstown (immediate) (0.1nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
December–April. Less busy than the main Platinum Coast strip. Authentic local atmosphere. Monitor for westerly swell.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 85m
On the Platinum Coast, even calm west coast conditions can see anchor drag toward sea grass beds or shallow patches. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can watch the Barbados sunset in peace.
Download Free for iOS