Brewer's Bay
Brewers Bay St. Thomas · Northwest St. Thomas beach
18°21.72'N 64°58.44'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m for good holding on sand in 3–8m. Significant northern exposure — check swell forecasts before overnight. In ENE trade conditions the trades come from a direction that partially exposes this bay. Best in settled, light wind periods. Airport noise throughout the day from nearby Cyril E. King Airport.
About This Anchorage
Brewer's Bay on the northwest coast of St. Thomas is a local beach anchorage immediately west of Cyril E. King Airport (STT) — the main airport serving St. Thomas. The bay has good sand holding and the beach is popular with local residents. The location is unusual — the sound of arriving and departing aircraft is a constant companion during daylight hours. The northern exposure is significant and Atlantic ground swell or northerly winds can make the anchorage uncomfortable. In settled ENE trade conditions the bay can be pleasant, but it is not a first choice for extended stays. The proximity to the airport makes it convenient for crew changes — a taxi from the airport is only minutes away. Not to be confused with Brewer's Bay, Tortola (BVI).
Protected From
E · SE · S
Exposed To
N · NW · NE · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Anchor only in sand; stay clear of any airport-related restricted zones or navigation lights; northern exposure requires careful weather monitoring.
Hazards
- !Significant northern and western exposure — Atlantic swell or northerly conditions make the anchorage dangerous; check forecasts before overnight
- !Airport noise — Cyril E. King Airport is immediately adjacent; continuous aircraft noise during daylight hours
- !ENE trade exposure — the trades have a northerly component that partially exposes this bay in strong trade conditions
- !No facilities — fully self-sufficient anchorage required
Skipper's Tips
- →Brewer's Bay is primarily useful for crew changes — proximity to STT airport means departing/arriving crew can be handled easily
- →Check swell forecasts carefully — any northerly or westerly swell makes this anchorage untenable for overnight stays
- →The beach itself is pleasant and local — far fewer tourists than the main Charlotte Amalie beaches
- →A taxi from the airport gate takes 5 minutes to reach the beach area — convenient for airport logistics
- →Consider Charlotte Amalie or Water Island as alternatives if strong trades or any swell is forecast
Facilities
No facilities at the anchorage. Charlotte Amalie and Crown Bay Marina are accessible by taxi from near the airport (3nm east).
Nearest provisions: Charlotte Amalie (3nm E) (3nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
December–April in settled conditions only. Best used for brief stops and crew changes given the northern exposure. Not recommended for extended overnight stays.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 75m
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