Chenay Bay
Chenay Bay St. Croix · North St. Croix Chenay
17°45.24'N 64°39.36'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
65m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
65m
65m for good holding on sand in 3–8m. Northern exposure to ENE trades — in strong trades above 18kt the anchorage becomes choppy. Good for day stops in moderate trade conditions. Check north swell forecasts for overnight commitment.
About This Anchorage
Chenay Bay on St. Croix's north coast sits between Christiansted and Green Cay, offering a pleasant sand anchorage adjacent to the Chenay Bay Beach Resort and good snorkelling on the nearby reef. The bay is open to the north and northeast, making it dependent on settled trade conditions for comfortable overnight stays. The resort beach has calm, clear water good for swimming, and the surrounding reef provides excellent snorkelling with good coral and fish life. A quieter alternative to the busier Christiansted Harbour, Chenay Bay is convenient for those wanting to explore the north coast of St. Croix without the harbour environment. Green Cay is approximately 3nm to the east, and Christiansted is 4nm to the west.
Protected From
S · SW · SE · W
Exposed To
N · NE · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in sand
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Anchor only in sand; respect resort beach area and private property boundaries; maintain slow speed near any swim areas.
Hazards
- !Northern exposure to ENE trades — uncomfortable in strong trade conditions; monitor forecast for trades above 18kt
- !North Atlantic ground swell can enter — check swell forecasts before overnight commitment
- !Resort beach area — respect property boundaries and swim zones near the resort beach
- !Reef on approach — use chart and visual lookout; coral heads present in the approach from the north
Skipper's Tips
- →Chenay Bay is a quiet, uncrowded north coast alternative to Christiansted Harbour — fewer boats and a more local atmosphere
- →The snorkelling off the reef east of the bay is underrated — good coral coverage and fish diversity with minimal boat traffic
- →Resort restaurant at Chenay Bay provides a convenient dinner ashore without sailing to Christiansted
- →In settled light trade conditions (under 15kt), Chenay Bay is a comfortable overnight anchorage with good sand holding
- →Combine a Chenay Bay stop with a Green Cay visit (3nm east) and a Buck Island morning (5nm further) for a three-day east St. Croix circuit
Facilities
Chenay Bay Beach Resort has bar and restaurant (confirm current operating status). Christiansted (4nm W) has full services.
Nearest provisions: Christiansted (4nm W) (4nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
December–April in settled trade conditions. Open north coast position — comfortable in light to moderate trades. North swell monitoring required for overnight stays.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 65m
In St. Croix, Christiansted Harbour's barrier reef and ENE trade winds make secure anchoring essential. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can explore the Danish colonial town and Buck Island with confidence.
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