Carenage Inner Harbour
Bridgetown Carenage · Bridgetown inner harbour
13°06.00'N 59°37.26'W
Depth
3–6m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
40m
Holding
Fair
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
40m
40m for fair holding in the inner harbour — this is not a primary anchoring spot. Use for customs clearance alongside the dock and then move to Carlisle Bay main anchorage. Very limited swinging room in the historic basin.
About This Anchorage
The Carenage is Bridgetown's historic inner harbour — a small tidal basin at the heart of the city, lined with Georgian architecture and the schooners that once carried inter-island cargo. Today it houses the Barbados Port Authority customs and immigration office (mandatory clearance point for all arriving foreign vessels), charter fishing boats, and tourist ferry services. The Carenage area is primarily used for customs clearance rather than overnight anchoring — the main anchorage for visiting yachts is Carlisle Bay, 1nm south. The surrounding area is UNESCO World Heritage designated as part of the Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison inscription. Excellent shopping, restaurants, and the lively waterfront of Bridgetown make this a worthwhile dinghy trip from the main bay anchorage.
Protected From
N · NE · E · S · SE · W
Exposed To
NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Customs clearance fee applies; short-stay alongside
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Standard Barbados customs clearance. Passport, crew list, vessel documentation, last port of call paperwork required.
Restrictions: Customs and immigration MANDATORY here for all vessels arriving from abroad. Q flag until cleared. Commercial harbour — maintain clear passage for working vessels. Overnight anchoring not recommended — use Carlisle Bay. Port Authority on VHF 16.
Hazards
- !Commercial harbour traffic — cruise ship tenders, ferry services, water taxis throughout the day
- !Shoal areas in the inner basin — stay in the dredged channel
- !Not suitable for overnight anchoring — use Carlisle Bay as base
- !Customs formalities can take 2–4 hours — plan accordingly and arrive with all paperwork ready
Skipper's Tips
- →Come to the Carenage by dinghy from Carlisle Bay for customs clearance — do not attempt to bring your vessel into the crowded inner harbour unnecessarily
- →The UNESCO Historic Garrison (a short taxi or walk from the Carenage) is one of the Caribbean's most significant colonial military sites — well worth a morning
- →Cheapside Market is one block from the waterfront — fresh local produce, ground provisions, fish, and Barbadian roti
- →Chandleries near the Carenage can handle most emergency repairs — ask at the Port Authority for recommendations
- →Duty-free shopping: Barbados has a well-developed duty-free sector — electronics, spirits, and jewellery at Bridge House and DaCosta Mannings
Facilities
Numerous restaurants and cafes around the Carenage waterfront. Bridgetown has Massy Stores and SuperCentre (full provisioning), chandleries, laundry, and all services. The Cheapside Market for fresh produce.
Nearest provisions: Bridgetown waterfront (immediate) (0.1nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Open year-round for customs purposes. Visiting yachts anchor in Carlisle Bay — dinghy to the Carenage for customs, provisioning, and exploring Bridgetown.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 40m
In Carlisle Bay, anchor drag toward the historic wrecks or coral patches can cause serious damage. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can celebrate your Atlantic crossing with confidence.
Download Free for iOS