Coastline and anchorages
Coming from St Lucia tidal currents
often make the channel across to St
Vincent rough. Passage between the two
islands becomes even more tricky
heading N of St Vincent to reach St
Lucia. There’s no shelter on St Vincent’s
NW coast. Yachts arriving from the N
should, in principle, head straight to
Wallilabou for clearance.

St Vincent is in fact better known for the grandeurs of its interior than for its leeward coast, which offers only a few rather barren and only moderately sheltered anchorages. The result is that in practice many yachts avoid the coast and head straight to Bequia after a brief stop at Young Island. For a while, the island has been viewed somewhat negatively by visitors for the rather pressing attentions of certain ‘welcoming committees’. All too often one has to reject their overzealous attentions even when still quite a way outside the anchorage because they come out to intercept you in boats. It’s best to accept no offers of services until you’re in an anchorage. Be sure also to develop cautious habits to guard against petty theft.

West and SW coasts
You’ll generally be in the wind shadow and passage is usually made under power.
Châteaubelair
Beyond Point Richmond, with its two pylons on top, the anchorage at Châteaubelair will open up. The village dock has nothing to tie onto and it’s better to anchor in the NE close to the beach backed by splendid coconut palms. Swell can make the anchorage rolly, indeed very uncomfortable when
it’s from the N. The snorkelling off Châteaubelair I is very good.
Ashore The small town has no useful commercial services except for a customs office near the dock and a police office for immigration. However, it is a starting point for excellent walks to the slopes of La Soufrière and its waterfalls. A modest restaurant serves local seafood. There seem to be plenty of fish hereabouts.

Other moorings of West /SW coasts :
Petit Bordel
Cumberland
Wallilabou
Barroualie Bay
Ottley Hall Marina
Kingstown

South Coast

Young Island

Caution Going E be sure to stand clear of Cane Garden Pt off which lies Washing Rock which doesn’t show.
The Young I anchorage is between the island and the coast (Young I Cut). There’s a strong current, which changes direction with the tide. The middle of the anchorage is taken up with mooring buoys. To anchor you’ll have to lie outside, where depths are 10m or more. Using a mooring buoy for which there’s a charge (Charlie Tango VHF 68) is more secure, especially if you want to leave the boat and go ashore for a while to visit St Vincent. It may be a good idea to make use of the taxi and mooring services provided by Charlie Tango.
Ashore There are two places of interest: On one side is Young I with its smart hotel much in favour with rich honeymooners. Beside the beach there’s a shark basin and a swimming pool surrounded by a tropical garden with multicoloured parrots flying about. Staying in the bungalows here is fabulous and luxurious but hard on the wallet. Even so, you can enjoy the bucolic feel of the place whilst trying one of the umpteen cocktails served by the bars which also make a good spot for breakfast.
On the shore of the main island opposite is the area known as Villa Village, where you’ll find the tourist strip and the most active water sports on the island. You can water ship at the Aquatic Club.
Ashore A tiny square with several shops and a very well-reputed and active dive centre. Running along the shore from there you’ll find a line of restaurants and hotels on the edge of a very narrow path right down at water level. The majority have pleasant terraces embellished with greenery and menus varied both in terms of the specialities available and the prices. The Franco-Créole specialities of the small yet luxurious hotel restaurant to the far SE of the coast stand out in particular.

Blue Lagoon

The pass E of Young I is quite narrow but in theory is marked. It can be used for going to Blue Lagoon, which is the most secure anchorage in St Vincent. However, the main pass in the W is only good for boats drawing less than 1·7– 1·8m depending on the tide. The channel is also buoyed. There’s another deeper pass to the S of the reef. But it’s narrow and twisting and therefore very dangerous when the sea is rough or visibility is poor. The approach is on 060°. This is definitely only recommended for very experienced sailors and in calm seas, otherwise at your own risk. Inside there are depths of 10–15m. The large expanse of usually calm waters can be a little congested with buoys and local bareboat charters. To avoid mooring issues, it’s a good idea to contact the Lagoon Marina (VHF 68) and reserve a buoy. On the N shore are the facilities of the lagoon (VHF 68), with several berths on the dock mostly occupied by the bareboat companies that manage the marina. If there are berths free, passing yachts are welcomed and can water ship and fuel up.
Ashore The complex includes a hotelrestaurant with a huge terrace and several shops including a grocery.

For more details on these moorings :