Chaguaramas Heritage Park Bay
Military History Museum Bay · Macqueripe adjacent anchorage
10°41.6'N 61°39.1'W
Depth
4–9m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
85m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
85m
85m for excellent holding in Gulf of Paria mud 4–9m. Good shelter from northeast. Tidal range 0.9–1.5m — set scope for high-water depth. Western afternoon sea breeze can create some discomfort — monitor conditions.
About This Anchorage
The anchorage adjacent to the Chaguaramas Heritage Park occupies the former site of a US Naval Air Station established in 1941 under the Destroyers-for-Bases Agreement (when the US received 99-year base leases from the UK in exchange for 50 destroyers). The base closed in 1967 when Trinidad and Tobago became independent. The heritage park preserves and interprets this Cold War and WWII history with a military museum, preserved aircraft, and walking trails through the former base infrastructure. The bay itself offers excellent holding in Gulf of Paria mud with good shelter from the northeast. Less crowded than the main Chaguaramas Bay anchorage while remaining close to all services. The walking trails through the national park that surrounds the heritage site are excellent for birdwatching and hiking.
Protected From
N · NE · E · S · SE
Exposed To
W · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Chaguaramas National Park surrounds the heritage site — no removal of wildlife or plants; Heritage Park has entry fee for museum; respect any restricted areas within the former military site
Hazards
- !Gulf of Paria tidal range 0.9–1.5m — set scope for high-water depth
- !Western afternoon sea breeze can create some chop — monitor conditions if remaining overnight
- !Former military infrastructure near shoreline — avoid dinghy access to restricted areas
Skipper's Tips
- →The Chaguaramas Military History and Aerospace Museum is worth a half-day visit — Cold War and WWII history in a stunning setting
- →Walking trails from the heritage park through the national park are excellent for birdwatching
- →Use this anchorage as a quieter alternative when the main Chaguaramas Bay is full during Carnival or ARC+ arrivals
- →The approach to Macqueripe Bay (1nm west along the coast) has a beautiful beach accessible by dinghy
Facilities
No waterfront facilities. Heritage Park museum on shore. All services at Chaguaramas 2nm east.
Nearest provisions: Chaguaramas (2nm)
Best Months & Season
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Year-round (south of hurricane belt). Best Nov–Apr dry season. A peaceful and historically interesting alternative to the busy main Chaguaramas anchorage.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 85m
In Chaguaramas, the Gulf of Paria's unusual 0.9–1.5m tidal range means your scope needs to be set for the full tidal cycle. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can explore, fly home, or attend Carnival with complete confidence.
Download Free for iOS