Anse des Pitons
Jalousie Bay · Sugar Beach anchorage · Anse Jalousie
13°50.3'N 61°04.3'W
Mooring Only — Anchoring Prohibited
This anchorage is in the SMMA zone. Anchoring is strictly prohibited — use designated mooring buoys only (white/blue for yachts; never use red buoys). SMMA Coral Conservation Permit: EC$54 (US$20)/night. Hail SMMA Rangers on VHF 16 on arrival.
Depth
8–20m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
55m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
55m
55m on resort mooring — radius reflects swing space. Anchoring prohibited. Deep water close to Piton walls — mooring is mandatory. Wind can funnel between Gros and Petit Piton from north — monitor for acceleration. Contact Sugar Beach resort for mooring availability and cost (approx US$30–50/night).
About This Anchorage
Anse des Pitons (Jalousie Bay) is enclosed directly between the two Pitons — the most dramatically enclosed anchorage in St. Lucia and one of the most visually extraordinary in the world. Gros Piton's 798m volcanic wall rises to the north; Petit Piton's 743m face rises to the south. Sugar Beach (A Viceroy Resort) occupies the beach — the resort imported white sand to overlay St. Lucia's natural black volcanic sand, creating the iconic white beach flanked by the twin Piton walls. Resort mooring buoys are available for visiting yachts — anchoring is prohibited within the SMMA zone. The SMMA Coral Conservation Permit (EC$54/night) is required in addition to any resort mooring fee. The combination of Piton walls, coral reef snorkelling, and resort facilities makes this the most complete day or overnight stop in St. Lucia.
Protected From
N · NE · NW
Exposed To
S · SE · SW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Anchoring PROHIBITED. SMMA Coral Conservation Permit: EC$54 (US$20)/night. Resort mooring fee: approx US$30–50/night (Sugar Beach resort). Contact resort on VHF 16 or hail from water.
- Maximum stay
- 7 days
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- SMMA Rangers patrol — hail on VHF 16 for permit. Sugar Beach resort manages mooring buoys — contact resort separately from SMMA. Both fees required.
Restrictions: No anchoring — SMMA zone and coral reef below. No swimming outside moored area without permission. Sugar Beach resort beach: resort guests and moored vessels only. Wind acceleration between Piton walls — gusts possible.
Hazards
- !Anchoring strictly prohibited — SMMA zone; coral reef throughout
- !Wind acceleration between Piton walls — gusts significantly stronger than forecast; secure all loose gear
- !Deep water close to Piton cliffs — limited recovery options if mooring fails
- !Open to south and SW — can become uncomfortable in southerly conditions; leave in fresh south weather
- !Both SMMA and resort mooring fees apply — confirm both with rangers and resort
Skipper's Tips
- →Contact Sugar Beach resort before arrival (VHF 16) to confirm mooring availability — bay fills quickly in peak season
- →Hail SMMA Rangers separately for Coral Conservation Permit — they come to you on the buoy
- →Snorkelling between the mooring and the Piton cliff base reveals exceptional coral and fish
- →Sunset from Anse des Pitons looking south between the Pitons across open Caribbean — one of the iconic experiences
- →The resort will provide tender service to the beach for moored yachts — enjoy the restaurant without dinghying
Facilities
Sugar Beach (Viceroy) resort restaurant — reservation required for dinner. Beach bar accessible to moored yachts. No fuel or water at mooring.
Nearest provisions: Soufrière village (2.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
December–April. Peak season (January–March) most popular. Both SMMA and resort buoy fees apply. Wind acceleration between Pitons — secure for overnight stay.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 55m
Even on SMMA mooring buoys, chafe and current can cause movement overnight. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — critical when moored close to Piton cliff faces in the dark.
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