St. Vincent

[SAMPATICO]

I will be traveling from Bequia up to Rodney Bay, St. Lucia, a long haul into the weather. I'm looking for an overnight anchorage somewhere on the west coast of St. Vincent, but every article and Noonsite warns against stopping in Wallilabou or Cumberland, or for that matter, anywhere along the west coast of St. Vincent because of the harassment from the boat boys and risk of crime. Such a shame as St. Vincent is a lovely island and people are very friendly, but the boating situation does not seem to improve. Can anyone recommend a safe stop along this coast?

[Hud3]

I can only echo the concerns expressed on Noonsite. We always sailed right past St Vincent without stopping. We simply didn't want to take the risk of crime. There was nowhere else in the Lesser Antilles that we felt that way.

We took the ferry to St Vincent from Bequia and spent a very enjoyable day touring around. Pretty island. Sad that a few criminal sorts have given the place such a bad reputation as far as cruising is concerned.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by SAMPATICO

(...) St. Vincent is a lovely island and people are very friendly (...)

Like what.

You have just contradicted.

Friendly people mug you in anchorages?

b.

[Sailmonkey]

I found the boat boys more annoying than threatening. That said, we skipped wallilabou other than a quick round of the harbor by sea to look around then went a few miles south to an uninhabited cove for the night.

[neilpride]

Cumberland, i stop there several times without problems, yes boatboys are anoying, but with a bit of patience and a smile no problems at all, if you dont want busines with boatboys just say the word NO in a friendly way, btw, why a overnight stop in st vincent? leaving bequia early in the morning arriving st lucia in the afternoon. We always leave Bequia around 5 or 6 Am , crossing the chanel at 9 or 10 Am and arriving st lucia at 4 or 5 pm , nice trip.....

[AiniA]

We spent a night at Wallilabou a few years ago. Boat boys are a hassle and anchoring is tricky with deep water close to shore. You have to anchor with a stern line ashore (boat boys). The area there seems quite safe and we enjoyed st Vincent.

[Privleoplag]

Petit Byahaut - Beautiful.

[MarkJ]

Its 49nms from Bequia to Vaux Fort and you find the need to risk your life by stopping half way?

Remember last week a man was murdered less than 200nms south of Bequia beacause he didnt heed the warnings on Noonsight/other sailors.



Mark

[SAMPATICO]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Like what.

You have just contradicted.

Friendly people mug you in anchorages?

b.

It's a very small minority that commit the crimes to cruisers. Majority are very friendly and welcome visitors.

[SAMPATICO]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

I found the boat boys more annoying than threatening. That said, we skipped wallilabou other than a quick round of the harbor by sea to look around then went a few miles south to an uninhabited cove for the night.

what cove did you find for anchoring in St Vincent ? Wondering if it was Petit Bayahut.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by SAMPATICO

what cove did you find for anchoring in St Vincent ? Wondering if it was Petit Bayahut.

I'll need to consult the chart to remember the name.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by SAMPATICO

what cove did you find for anchoring in St Vincent ? Wondering if it was Petit Bayahut.

It was Petit Bayahut......just looked back at the chart from 4 years ago.

[donradcliffe]

We stopped in St Vincent once, and will never stop again. I don't need boat boys threatening to cut my lines, and there have been several yachties murdered in the anchorages.

[sck5]

We always sailed direct from Bequia to St. Lucia overnight. Then you dont have to worry about getting to wherever you are going before dark. We never liked the Vieux Fort anchorage anyway and always aimed for Marigot or Rodney Bay - Easy overnight sail.

The only place we stopped on St. Vincent itself was the Young Island anchorage which is convenient to the airport. It seemed fairly safe though there were lots of druggies hawking their wares within seconds of landing on the dock.