Man-O-War Bay, Charlotteville
Charlotteville · Man-O-War Bay
11°20.2'N 60°33.1'W
Depth
5–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m for good holding in sand/mud 5–12m. The largest sheltered bay on Tobago's north coast. Exposed to west and northwest — monitor forecasts. Best shelter in the southeast corner of the bay.
About This Anchorage
Man-O-War Bay at Charlotteville is the northern terminus of Tobago's Caribbean coast cruising route and the island's second-most significant anchorage after Crown Point. The bay is large, deep, and relatively well-sheltered. Charlotteville village has some provisions, a small fuel station, a few bars and restaurants, and a government ferry service to Scarborough. The famous Tobago diving sites — Speyside Bay (manta rays, stingrays, brain corals) and Little Tobago (seabird sanctuary) — are accessible by local dive boat or dinghy from Man-O-War Bay. Charlotteville is about as far from the tourist-developed south as Tobago gets — a working fishing community with genuine local character. Pirates Bay, a beautiful secluded cove, is a 15-minute walk over the hill.
Protected From
E · SE · S · SW · N
Exposed To
W · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Respect ferry operations in the inner harbour; do not anchor in the ferry approach channel; Pirates Bay (adjacent) has some restricted areas — check locally
Hazards
- !Exposed to west and northwest — westerly weather can make bay uncomfortable; best shelter in SE corner
- !Ferry traffic in the inner harbour area — keep clear of ferry approach channel
- !Remote from major provisioning (22nm from Scarborough) — carry good stores
Skipper's Tips
- →Book a local dive boat from Charlotteville for Speyside manta ray diving — one of the Caribbean's premier dive experiences
- →Walk over the hill to Pirates Bay (15 minutes) — one of Tobago's most beautiful and completely undeveloped coves
- →Charlotteville fish market has outstanding fresh catch — snapper, kingfish, and flying fish
- →The ferry to Scarborough is an excellent way to visit the south of Tobago without moving the boat
Facilities
Charlotteville has several bars and local restaurants serving fresh fish and local food. Small fuel station in village. Limited provisions — small general store. Ferry to Scarborough for major provisioning.
Nearest provisions: Charlotteville village (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Year-round (south of hurricane belt). Best Nov–May for settled conditions. Nov–May for manta ray diving at Speyside. Charlotteville is the natural northern terminus for Tobago Caribbean coast cruising.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 90m
On Tobago's Caribbean coast, north swell can enter exposed bays without warning. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can enjoy the beach, the villages, and the turtle watching with confidence.
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