Readers’ favourite Anchorages of the World. Showcasing your favourite anchorages.
Setting Point
From Chris Chandler, Ocean Sailor reader from the United Kingdom
Location: Setting Point, Anegada, British Virgin Islands
Coordinates: 18º43.467’N 064º23.48’W
Seabed: Good holding in sand
Protection: Some protection from north west to north east
The BVI are a popular cruising ground for UK sailors and several charter companies run fleets from the main island, Tortola. There are many anchorages, most with multiple mooring buoys. Anegada is the only inhabited British Virgin Island formed from coral and limestone, rather than being of volcanic origin. While the other islands are mountainous, Anegada is flat and low so offers little protection from heavy weather but in settled conditions, it is a delightful place to visit. The approach is well marked by a buoyed channel. Holding is good in sand with depths of 2m-2.5m in the inshore main anchorage. There is deeper water, still with good holding, a little further out beyond the setting point.
Ashore, grilled lobster is a must! It is also worth hiring a bike or car to explore the north coast of the island. The charmingly named Loblolly Bay has wonderfully clear water great for snorkelling, followed by an obligatory cocktail from the beach bar.
Moreys Bay
From Chris Chandler, Ocean Sailor reader from the United Kingdom
Location: Moreys Bay, Tasmania
Coordinates: 42º17.93’S 148º16.8’E
Seabed: Good holding in sand and weed
Protection: Well protected from East, South and West
The East Coast of Tasmania is a wonderful cruising area with many good anchorages, although care has to be taken with the weather which can be wild at times and produces some unpleasant seas.
Moreys Bay lies on the North coast of Schouten Island just off the tip of the Freycinet Peninsula. One of the many attractions of this bay as an anchorage is that should the wind direction change and start to blow from the north it is just a short hop across to Bryans Corner on the South Coast of Freycinet. Ashore, the main attraction of this bay is the path that leads to Bear Hill. The climb is pretty steep at times with a few sections near the top where you have to scramble over rocks, but the views from the top make the effort worthwhile. The route is marked (uniquely in my experience) by strands of coloured wool tied to the branches of bushes beside the path! On this particular trip, we were rewarded on our descent by fresh locally harvested Oysters and a glass (or two) of champagne sitting on the beach as the sun went down. No wonder I have fond memories of this anchorage!
Provincetown
From John, Ocean Sailor reader from the United Kingdom
Location: Provincetown, Massachusetts, USA
Coordinates: 42°2.76’N 70°11.18’W
Seabed: Good holding in soft mud
Protection: Protected from all but southeasterly winds
Provincetown on the tip of Cape Cod is a must-see stop for a cruiser sampling the New England coast. With options to anchor, moor, or dock (in a very nice marina) there is something for everyone. What makes it special is Provincetown and the Cape Cod National Seashore Park. A funky, shabby chic oceanside vibe with lots of great restaurants and shops all within easy walking distance. We rented bikes for the day and rode out on the paved bike path through the dunes to the Park and Race Point. We are not really beach lounging people, but the beaches are world-class if you are into that sort of thing, and of course, do not mind the cold New England water. At one point on this trip, I thought I might have snagged one of the thousand lobster pot obstacle courses you have to dodge during any New England cruise.
I dove to inspect the prop and soon realised ‘I won’t bother putting on my wetsuit’ to be a big mistake. I was freezing as I pulled the lobster pot line from the gap between the blade rudder and the hull.
If you would like to anchor or take a mooring buoy in Provincetown, you must go either on the east or west side of the breakwater.
