Canouan — Carenage Bay
Carenage Bay Canouan · Canouan south anchorage
12°42.54'N 61°20.64'W
Depth
4–15m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m for excellent holding on sand in 4–15m. Excellent shelter from NE trades. The resort presence means anchoring is managed — check with the resort dock for any specific requirements before setting the anchor.
About This Anchorage
Carenage Bay is the principal anchorage on Canouan's southern coast — a stunning enclosed bay of brilliant white sand and impossibly clear Caribbean water, dominated by the Carenage Bay Resort, one of the most exclusive and beautiful resort properties in the Lesser Antilles. The resort complex includes a championship golf course (the only one in the Grenadines), luxury villas, and the exclusive Grenadines Estate club. Visiting sailors are generally welcome to anchor in the bay, though the resort infrastructure defines the atmosphere. The coral reef surrounding the bay provides excellent snorkelling with good fish life and sea turtles regularly sighted. The holding in clean white sand is excellent. Canouan is a semi-private island — somewhat controlled access — but sailors with cruising permits are welcome and the anchorage itself is public. Customs clearance is at Charlestown Bay on the north side of the island.
Protected From
N · NE · E · NW · W
Exposed To
S · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in the bay
- Permit required
- Yes
Restrictions: Cruising permit required for SVG. Customs at Charlestown Bay (north side). Respect resort property and private beach areas. Anchor at appropriate distance from resort docks.
Hazards
- !Southerly and SE exposure — swell can enter in unusual southerly conditions
- !Resort infrastructure — respect private beach areas and resort docks
- !Customs must be cleared at Charlestown Bay (north side) — do not anchor here first if arriving in SVG
Skipper's Tips
- →Carenage Bay is one of the most beautiful anchorages in the Grenadines — the water colour and reef scenery are extraordinary
- →The Carenage Bay Resort restaurant is worth a special dinner — call ahead to make a reservation
- →Snorkel the surrounding reef for excellent Caribbean fish life and sea turtles
- →Clear customs at Charlestown Bay first if Canouan is your first SVG stop after Bequia or from the south
- →Canouan golf course is the only 18-hole course in the Grenadines — visiting sailors occasionally arrange day passes
Facilities
Carenage Bay Resort restaurant — available to visiting sailors by reservation; high-end Caribbean dining. No fuel or water at the anchorage — both available at Charlestown Bay (1.5nm N).
Nearest provisions: Charlestown Bay, Canouan (1.5nm N) (1.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
December–May. Quiet and beautiful — Canouan sees far fewer visiting yachts than Bequia or the Tobago Cays. A lovely overnight stop on the circuit between Bequia and the Tobago Cays.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
In the Tobago Cays, even mooring balls can drag or become unclipped in strong trades. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can snorkel with the turtles in total confidence.
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