Anchorage· French Cay· Other Caribbean
French Cay Anchorage
21° 30.5′ N · 72° 12.2′ W · approximate
A lee anchorage behind a 22-acre speck of sand on the southwest edge of the Caicos Bank, 18 miles from Provo — a classic rest stop arriving from the Dominican Republic before crossing the bank.
Practical
Coordinate approximate: just west of the cay (Visit TCI marker). A 2014 cruiser approached from deep water and had to pick a channel through very shallow water; the bank keeps swell out but the trades still kick up chop; the bottom was thin sand over hard coral and setting the anchor took effort. Landing on the cay is restricted (wildlife sanctuary). Dive boats use the lee for surface intervals. Several modern wrecks on the horizon mark the shoals — daylight approach only.
Best for
Rest stop entering or leaving the bank to the south
Season
Settled easterlies
Nearby
- French Cay bird sanctuary & sharks0.2 NM away
- French Cay dive sites (Double D, G-Spot, Half Mile Reef)0.6 NM away
- Molasses Reef wreck site7.7 NM away
- Caicos Bank overnight anchorage (mid-bank)11.4 NM away
- Five Cays & Bay Cay Anchorage (south Provo)14.1 NM away
- South Dock Providenciales (customs)14.5 NM away
- Turks & Caicos Border Force clearance & SailClear14.5 NM away
- Sapodilla Bay Hill Rock Carvings14.7 NM away