USVI safe anchoring locations

[SailMonAmi]

Looking for information concerning what it's like to anchor or moor around the eastern side of St. Thomas, USVI. Specifically interested in knowing what to anticipate in the way of on board safety wrt unwanted visitors, i.e., thieves. Is theft or other criminal activity unusual or something that happens with some frequency? If the latter, what legal measures ought to be taken, on board, to minimize or mitigate that?

[danielamartindm]

The Noonsite website has the most up-to-date listings of crime against yachts in the Caribbean, detailing the when, where, and what has happened.

[travellerw]

Hhmm spent 2 months on a borrowed mooring ball in Elephant bay.. Crime wasn't an issue at all..

As to anchoring.. Good luck St. Thomas has very limited anchoring. At this time of year you should be able to anchor in Christmas Cove.

[SailMonAmi]

Doesn't appear that it's pervasive. Hope for the best - plan for the worst!

[JstaRebel]

You won't have an issue with criminals boarding your vessel or robbing you. If you're going on the east end, Christmas Cove is probably your best option. There is even great pizza available there from the Pizza Pi boat. Great snorkeling too. Xmas Cove is on the leeward side of Great St. James island. The issue is that it's a long dinghy ride to shore fro provisions or to come ashore on St.Thomas. I would suggest that you go around to Red Hook and anchor in Vessup Bay. The ferry traffic sucks, but it's a very convenient Anchorage. American Yacht Harbor (AYH) has a dinghy dock, and it's​ safe. This puts you in an area where everything to want is available.

[Sea Life]

Been cruising in USVI for 6 weeks now, heading south next week. The whole area is very crowded with "long term" boats. Most have installed moorings or have multiple anchors out. It is difficult to find a decent spot with shoreside conveniences. As for crime, I am not aware of any violent crime. First day here, someone tried to steal my dingy/motor off of Brewers Beach in the middle of the day with people around. I had it chained to tree, but they managed to damage it. Otherwise only a few persistent beggars in town. Others in Brewers Bay say they have never had any incidents.

BTW, I am in Brewers Bay, because it is one of the few places that has room to anchor, and no large boat traffic.

[buzzstar]

It is sad in the way the meaning of "safe anchorage" has evolved.

[Tom and Maje]

In the East End you can anchor in Red Hook harbor, Christmas Cove (technically Big St. James), and perhaps in Secret Harbor. We've not had a great deal of luck in Secret Harbor because we wanted to be closer to the beach and it's protected. The moorings at Christmas Cove are free, but you need to check them.

Maje

[SailMonAmi]

Buzzstar

I struggled using the term - safe anchoring - understanding its nautical meaning. Alas, plundering, piracy and, in general, criminal beavior are not new to this era. One of my favorite reminders of that is the esteemed Josh Slocum (circa 1890) who famously thwarted a band of pirates (Tierra del Fuego natives) by spreading carpet tacks on the decks of the 'Spray' as an early warning device while he was at a 'safe anchorage'.

[michaelratinter]

I prefered Christmas Cove (funky mooring balls) but Vessup has lots of room to anchor. JstaRebel is right about the ferry traffic.