St. Croix Mooring/Anchoring

[Tmacmi]

We want to go to St. Croix in April, starting from St. John. I'd appreciate any suggestions about mooring/anchoring.

I've read some threads here and other suggestions.

I've heard that the anchorage behind Protestant Cay is crowded and is mostly a liveaboard area.

I've attached a screen shot of what I believe are alternative locations. One is deep in Gallows Bay (noted in red). Glimpse from Google Earth makes it look like those might be mooring balls.

Another area noted in orange in the attached appears to be a simple anchoring field just off of Saint Croix marine.

Both areas look like they are exposed to wind and swell.

Another spot seems to be Green Cay Marina.

All suggestions appreciated!

[Franziska]

Not sure if one can still go into Salt River to the Nortwest of Christiansted. Used to be a great anchorage with some dock space.

I was there 25years ago while working as an intern with Gold Coast Yachts. Fond memories, but, as said, it's been a while...

[Franziska]

Salt River is about where the word NOAA is visible towards the upper left on the attached screenshot.
Careful at the Whitehorse buoy.

[Tmacmi]

My screen shot wasn't attached earlier:

[Tmacmi]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Salt River is about where the word NOAA is visible towards the upper left on the attached screenshot.
Careful at the Whitehorse buoy.

Thanks. I've heard that the Salt River approach is tough and shouldn't be done by someone who is unfamiliar.

True?

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by Tmacmi

Thanks. I've heard that the Salt River approach is tough and shouldn't be done by someone who is unfamiliar.



True?

Can't really say that, as it's long ago. Still, I remember seeing keelboats and multihulls going in and out.

There are marker buoys. Maybe go to Christiansted first & then ask locally when the time is best to enter and exit, and what to watch out for at Salt River.

It's a very safe place once you are in there.

West of the marina in Christiansted is an anchorage which might have moorings as well by now.

[hpeer]

Reading ActiveCaptain reviews Salt River is limited to 6’ at best, some say 5’.

I anchored one night here, at the SW tip of the island, was OK. We were heading for St Martin so in the am we ran E behind the reef. This is a about 2.5 miles E of Christenstaed.

[Tmacmi]

Originally Posted by hpeer

Reading ActiveCaptain reviews Salt River is limited to 6’ at best, some say 5’.

I anchored one night here, at the SW tip of the island, was OK. We were heading for St Martin so in the am we ran E behind the reef. This is a about 2.5 miles E of Christenstaed.

I've been looking at that marina, but its expensive. Also considering the Buck Island anchorage for one night.