Christiansted Harbour
Christiansted · Christiansted anchorage · St. Croix main port
17°44.82'N 64°42.24'W
Depth
3–9m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m for good holding in 3–9m sand/mud. Excellent ENE trade protection from the natural harbour structure and surrounding reef. Open to south — monitor weather. Protestant Cay Hotel moorings in the inner harbour — for hotel guests. CBP clearance mandatory from BVI.
About This Anchorage
Christiansted is the main town on St. Croix and one of the best-preserved examples of Danish colonial architecture in the Caribbean — a genuine historic gem that is dramatically undervisited compared to the BVI and St. Thomas. The town's waterfront is a UNESCO World Heritage-nominated area with the imposing Fort Christiansvaern (1738), the Scale House, the Steeple Building, and pastel-coloured Danish colonial buildings along Company Street. The harbour is protected by a surrounding barrier reef with a well-marked entry channel. Protestant Cay — a small island in the middle of the harbour — hosts the Hotel on the Cay and provides excellent additional protection. The CBP office at the harbour provides customs clearance. Christiansted has a good selection of restaurants (Rumrunners, Bacchus, the Fort Christian Brew Pub), a small supermarket, and chandlery. St. Croix as a whole receives far fewer cruising visitors than St. Thomas or St. John — an advantage for those seeking the USVI without the crowds.
Protected From
N · NE · NW · W · E
Exposed To
S · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring; Protestant Cay Hotel moorings for guests; private moorings available from local operators
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- US CBP clearance at Christiansted Harbour Authority or via CBP ROAM app. All crew documentation required.
Restrictions: CBP ROAM clearance mandatory from BVI or any foreign port; stay clear of the harbour entry channel (well-marked); speed limit 5 knots in the harbour; Protestant Cay Hotel property includes beach — respect boundaries.
Hazards
- !Harbour entry channel — barrier reef surrounds the harbour; use the well-marked channel ONLY; do not attempt entry outside the channel
- !Shoal areas in the inner harbour — stay in the marked anchorage area; consult NOAA chart 25650 before approaching
- !Open to south and southeast — southerly swell in weather systems makes the anchorage uncomfortable
- !Hurricane season — St. Croix has been struck by major hurricanes; Hugo (1989) and Maria (2017) caused devastating damage; avoid June–November
Skipper's Tips
- →Fort Christiansvaern is one of the best-preserved 18th-century Danish forts in the Caribbean — the NPS-managed interior is fascinating and admission is free with America the Beautiful pass
- →Christiansted has the best restaurant scene on St. Croix — the evening dining options are significantly better than St. John or the outer BVI islands
- →St. Croix receives very few visiting yachts compared to St. Thomas — the locals are genuinely welcoming and the anchorage is refreshingly uncrowded
- →The water taxi to Protestant Cay Hotel runs from the waterfront — use it for a day at the hotel beach and bar without moving the boat
- →Company Street in Christiansted has some of the best examples of Danish colonial architecture in the US Caribbean — walk the historic district before provisioning
Facilities
Christiansted has good restaurant selection — Rumrunners (waterfront), Bacchus, Fort Christian Brew Pub, Savant, and others. Small grocery (Pueblo Supermarket) in town. Chandlery services available. Fuel dock at the harbour.
Nearest provisions: Christiansted town center (Pueblo Supermarket) (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
December–April. St. Croix sees far fewer cruising visitors than St. Thomas/St. John — advantages in terms of uncrowded anchorages and genuine local character. Hurricane season June–November — strict avoidance required.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
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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