Readers’ favourite Anchorages of the World. Showcasing your favourite anchorages.
Leinster Bay
From Ocean Sailor reader, David Groene
Location: Saint John, United States Virgin Islands
Coordinates: 18°21.96’N 64°43.56’W
Seabed: Good holding in sand and rock
Protection: Well protected except from NW
Tripadvisor named this area (in conjunction with Watermelon Cay) the best place to visit in St John. The bay is actually uninhabited and is part of the Virgin Islands National Park. This historic area is home to the Annaberg Sugar Plantation which is a must visit site if you stay in the bay.
You are advised to arrive from Cruz Bay to clear customs, 20 or so mooring buoys can be paid on site. Leinster Bay is situated in the Caribbean Sea and is East of Mary Point after crossing the Funghi Passage it is divided into Mary Point on the West side and Waterlemon Bay on the East.
The anchorage itself is well protected and tranquil. The crystal clear waters make the bay great for snorkeling and you can see sea turtles, rays and if you’re lucky enough, the resident dolphin pod. It is a great spot to explore not only the Annaberg ruins but other parts of the island with trails heading to Brown Bay and Coral Bay.
The Annaberg Plantation, as of 1780, was one of 25 active sugar producing factories on St. John. Some other products produced at Annaberg were molasses and rum! Now the ruins are protected by the Virgin Islands National Park and are open to the public.
A trail leads through factory ruins, slave quarters, windmill and other remains. There are signs which provide excellent information, not only on how the sugar was made but also how life would have been living on the plantation.
