Salt River Bay

About This Anchorage

Salt River Bay is one of the most historically significant sites in the United States — the location of the only documented hostile encounter between Columbus's crew and the indigenous Caribs (Kalinago people) on November 14, 1493, during Columbus's second voyage. The site is designated Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve, managed jointly by NPS and the USVI government. The bay itself is beautiful — a large, well-protected bay with mangrove-lined inner channels that provide excellent wildlife habitat (manatees have been seen here, as well as migratory birds in large numbers). The outer bay provides good anchoring in sand and mud. The submerged prehistoric Taino village site in the inner bay is of extraordinary archaeological significance. The bay is also notable for its underwater cliff — the continental shelf drops dramatically just outside the bay entrance, creating one of the Caribbean's finest wall dive sites for scuba divers.

Hazards

• !Southern exposure — southerly swell from weather systems makes the outer anchorage uncomfortable
• !Inner channel draft limitations — the mangrove channels shoal quickly; dinghy access only, not suitable for vessels of any significant draft
• !Archaeological sensitivity — submerged and terrestrial sites throughout the bay; do not anchor near the inner bay cultural sites
• !Reef on approach from east — use NOAA chart and approach from the west or northwest; reef extends from the eastern headland

Skipper's Tips

• →Salt River Bay is one of the most historically significant anchorages in all of sailing — Columbus anchored here in 1493; the sense of history is palpable
• →Dinghy into the mangrove channels at high tide — manatees have been spotted in the inner bay; move slowly and quietly
• →The Salt River Bay wall dive (outside the bay entrance) is one of the Caribbean's finest — contact Christiansted dive operators for guided dives
• →The NPS manages historical interpretation at the site — pick up information at the Christiansted NPS visitor area before visiting
• →Bioluminescence in the inner bay on moonless nights is exceptional — the mangrove-lined waters glow brilliantly when disturbed by a dinghy paddle

Nearby Anchorages