Anchorage at Montserrat

[o2basailor]

I know that much of the southern reaches of Montserrat are restricted a couple miles out, but we are making a Southern passage from BVI to Grenada, and a stop in Montserrat would be a great place to rest. Do they stil allow anchoring off the Northern third of the island, and is there a customs house in operation for proper checkin?

[s/v Moondancer]

The anchorage is open and very marginal... Montserrat is definitely not the place to anchor.

[osirissail]

I have anchored in "Little Bay" on the northwest side of Montserrat along with many other cruisers over the years. It is the only "port" on the island. You can Google Earth the harbor and see that it is quite open. We only spent one night there after taking a tour from one of the taxi guys that hang out at the port. There are Customs/Immigration/Port Control there in the big building.

[o2basailor]

Thank you for your kind replies. We have decided to stay at Saba for one night then sail by, but not stop at Montserrat, making for Nevis. I believe this will be a more picturesque, though possibly more populated anchorage. You have been a big help.

[donradcliffe]

Forget Saba, anchoring is forbidden and the moorings are really exposed. You would be better off at Statia.

[o2basailor]

Stayed at Saba for 2 nights a couple years ago, but as you said, it is susceptible to Northerlies. Haven't tries Statia but will look into it immediately. Where do you recommend as an anchorage?

[GordMay]

Yachts can anchor safely at Little Bay, in the North of the Montserrat. Volcanic activity means there are exclusion areas on land and at sea around Montserrat, and you are advised to check the current volcanic situation on the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) website, and avoid entering the current exclusion zones without specific authority.

➥ Home page - Montserrat Volcano Observatory

➥ Safety - Montserrat Volcano Observatory

➥ http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/Montserrat