Chateaubelair Bay

About This Anchorage

Chateaubelair Bay is the principal anchorage in the northwest corner of St. Vincent, offering a stopping point close to La Soufrière volcano on the island's northern tip. The village of Chateaubelair itself is a working fishing community with small shops, rum bars, and the authentic pace of Vincentian rural life. The bay provides reasonable protection from the NE trades and good holding in sand and mud. Boat boys are active and helpful. The anchorage is primarily used as a staging point for northbound passages toward Bequia — or for sailors wishing to explore La Soufrière volcano, which dominates the landscape to the northeast. Note that La Soufrière had a significant eruption in April 2021 — the volcano remains active, and NEMO (National Emergency Management Organisation) advisories should be checked before planning hikes near the summit. The area's black sand volcanic beaches and dramatic mountain backdrop make it a compelling stop despite the exposure.

Hazards

• !Open to northwest and north — swell can make anchorage uncomfortable; use for transit stops
• !La Soufrière volcanic activity — check NEMO SVG advisories before approaching summit area
• !Limited shelter compared to southern bays — not ideal in unsettled conditions
• !Depth varies — approach slowly and sound the bay before committing

Skipper's Tips

• →Chateaubelair is a good lunch stop northbound to Bequia — the timing works well on a morning run up the west coast
• →La Soufrière volcano hike (permit and local guide required) starts from the village — a full-day excursion up an active Caribbean volcano
• →Small village shops stock basic provisions — useful if you forgot something before leaving Kingstown
• →The fishing community here is very welcoming — slower pace and more authentic than busier anchorages south
• →Check wind and swell forecast before committing to an overnight stay — Chateaubelair is exposed enough to be uncomfortable in westerly swells

Nearby Anchorages