Protestant Cay Anchorage
Protestant Cay Hotel anchorage · Hotel on the Cay
17°44.82'N 64°42.12'W
Depth
3–7m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
55m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
55m
55m for good holding on sand in 3–7m. Excellent protection — one of the most sheltered spots in Christiansted Harbour. Protestant Cay Hotel moorings are private; anchor clear of these. Small basin — swinging room limited; anchor carefully. Minimal SE exposure in settled conditions.
About This Anchorage
The anchorage immediately east of Protestant Cay in Christiansted Harbour is the most protected spot in the bay — the small island (Protestant Cay) and surrounding reef create a sheltered basin with excellent all-round protection. The Hotel on the Cay (a small resort on the island) has operated here for decades, accessible only by the hotel's water taxi from the Christiansted waterfront. The hotel's private mooring balls are for hotel guests. Visiting yachts anchor east of the cay in clear sand. The dinghy ride to the Christiansted waterfront is approximately 5 minutes. The combination of excellent protection, good holding, and immediate proximity to Christiansted's historical town center and restaurants makes this the best overnight anchorage in the Christiansted area.
Protected From
N · NE · NW · W · E · S
Exposed To
SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring east of the cay; Hotel on the Cay moorings for hotel guests only
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Hotel on the Cay moorings are private — do not use without hotel permission; anchor clear of hotel water taxi route; speed limit in harbour 5 knots; do not anchor in harbour entry channel.
Hazards
- !Hotel water taxi route — the Hotel on the Cay water taxi runs between the Christiansted waterfront and the island; maintain clear passage
- !Hotel mooring balls — private mooring infrastructure in the basin; anchor clear of all mooring lines
- !Limited swinging room — small, sheltered basin; anchor carefully and maintain adequate clearance from other vessels
- !Harbour entry channel — do not anchor in or near the marked harbour entry channel
Skipper's Tips
- →Protestant Cay anchorage is the most sheltered overnight spot in Christiansted — perfect for spending time exploring the historic town by dinghy
- →The 5-minute dinghy ride to the Christiansted waterfront is one of the most convenient town access routes in the USVI — arrive at the dinghy dock and walk directly to Fort Christiansvaern
- →The Hotel on the Cay beach is visible from the anchorage — confirm with the hotel whether day visitors are welcome for beach use
- →Christiansted's historic district is best explored in the early morning before the heat — dinghy ashore by 08:00 for the full fort and waterfront experience
- →The Fort Christian Brew Pub at Christiansted serves locally brewed beers and good food — an excellent evening ashore destination
Facilities
Hotel on the Cay has bar and restaurant (accessible by water taxi from the waterfront — confirm with hotel). Christiansted waterfront (5-minute dinghy) has excellent restaurant and provisioning options.
Nearest provisions: Christiansted waterfront (5-min dinghy) (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
December–April. The most sheltered anchorage in Christiansted Harbour. Excellent base for exploring St. Croix's historic capital. Quiet and secure for extended stays.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 55m
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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