Pirates Bay
Pirates Bay Charlotteville · Pirate's Bay
11°20.5'N 60°33.3'W
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m for good holding on sand 4–10m. Protected from west. Exposed to Atlantic east/northeast swell. Day stop primarily; overnight only in settled calm conditions.
About This Anchorage
Pirates Bay is one of Tobago's most dramatically beautiful coves — a secluded beach enclosed by steep jungle-clad cliffs just around the headland from Charlotteville's Man-O-War Bay. By land it is a 15-minute walk over the hill from Charlotteville; by sea it is a short passage around the northeast tip of Tobago. The bay has no facilities, no development, and exceptional scenic beauty. It is said to have been a hideout for pirates preying on shipping in the Bocas passages — the name may be genuine or a tourist embellishment. The beach is consistently empty and beautiful. Atlantic swell from the east and northeast makes it a day stop rather than an overnight anchorage in most conditions. Sailing around the tip of Tobago between Man-O-War Bay and Pirates Bay requires care — currents around the northeast tip can be strong.
Protected From
W · SW · NW · S
Exposed To
E · NE · N
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: No facilities; carry out all rubbish; no fires on beach
Hazards
- !Exposed to east and northeast Atlantic swell — primarily a day anchorage
- !Strong currents around the northeast tip of Tobago when rounding from Man-O-War Bay — time carefully
- !No facilities — day stop only; return to Charlotteville for overnight
Skipper's Tips
- →Pirates Bay is Tobago's most beautiful undeveloped cove — walk over the hill from Charlotteville for a day visit without moving the boat
- →If sailing around the tip, check current and timing — the northeast tip of Tobago has acceleration and eddies
- →The beach is completely empty most days — a rare and extraordinary experience for such a beautiful spot
Facilities
No facilities. All services at Charlotteville (Man-O-War Bay) 1nm southwest.
Nearest provisions: Charlotteville village (1nm) (1nm)
Best Months & Season
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Year-round (south of hurricane belt). Best Jan–May settled conditions for the boat approach. Most visitors walk over the hill from Charlotteville — equally rewarding and avoiding the rounding.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
On Tobago's wild Atlantic coast, swell can build and shift overnight. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — giving you confidence to sleep in even the most remote windward anchorages.
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