Anchorage· Ambergris Caye· Other Caribbean
San Pedro Anchorage (Ambergris Caye)
17° 54.8′ N · 87° 57.9′ W · approximate
The anchorage for Belize's busiest island town: a strip of shallow sand between San Pedro's beachfront and the barrier reef, a short dinghy ride from clearance, supermarkets and Front Street restaurants.
Practical
Position is approximate, placed just inside the reef off the south end of town (near the old Ramon's Village resort) using OpenStreetMap shoreline features and the Noonsite reef-pass waypoint; sound your own spot. Depth: Noonsite gives 6-7 ft over sand off the thatched roofs of Ramon's resort before town; a 2018 report says 2.5 m; a cruiser writing for Soundings touched bottom in boat wakes, and the OCC notes recommend no more than 1.8 m (6 ft) draft inside the reef north of Belize City. Holding is hard sand, so set carefully; protection is only from the reef, not from the wind, so it is breezy and choppy in strong trades and exposed in northers (OCC, Moorings). Constant water-taxi and dive-boat traffic. Land at the Amigos del Mar dock (clearance agent point) or a beach bar dock with permission. The Belize Yacht Club Marina closed in 2014 and marina space is limited and busy (Noonsite, Moorings). Many cruisers prefer to anchor at Caye Caulker and take the water taxi to San Pedro for clearance.
Best for
Clearing in from Mexico and a town fix of restaurants and provisions
Season
Settled trades; uncomfortable in strong E-SE winds and northers
Nearby
- Blue Water Grill (SunBreeze Hotel, San Pedro)0.2 NM away
- San Pedro Hyperbaric Chamber & Clinics0.3 NM away
- San Pedro International Ferry Terminal (Chetumal)0.3 NM away
- Belize Port of Entry & Clearance (San Pedro, Belize City, Big Creek, Punta Gorda)0.4 NM away
- Estel's Dine by the Sea (San Pedro)0.4 NM away
- San Pedro Fuel & Butane (lagoon side)0.4 NM away
- San Pedro Restaurants (Front Street)0.4 NM away
- San Pedro Town (provisions & services)0.4 NM away