CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons (David Stanley)Anchorage· Great Bird Island· Leeward Islands
Great Bird Island Anchorage
17° 8.5′ N · 61° 43.8′ W · approximate
The lee-side anchorage of Great Bird Island in North Sound: turquoise water inside the reefs, two small beaches, a hilltop walk over blowholes and the only wild home of the Antiguan racer snake within reach of a dinghy.
Practical
Pin is placed west of Great Bird and Galley Islands (OSM) and checked to be in water. ABYMA: Great Bird offers two anchorages; the entrance to Windy Cove from North Sound has three of its reefs marked by red posts that may drift, and a boat drawing no more than 6 ft can manoeuvre in it; there is more room off the lee side and larger boats can drop back into the sound. A cruiser anchored a month here in about 15 ft and could usually see the bottom (Mel On The Go, 2020). Many coral heads and very shallow reefs: approach under a high sun with a bow lookout. Busy by day in high season with tour boats (NEMMA counted over 40,000 visitors a year); peaceful in the evening. Noforeignland lists moorings ('Bird Island'); 2021 reports called North Sound moorings corroded, so check them. Nearest town Parham (a couple of miles); no services.
Best for
Snorkelling, island walks and racer spotting in North Sound
Season
Best in settled trades with good light
Itineraries that stop here
Nearby
- Galley Island Reef0.2 NM away
- Great Bird Island Trail & Antiguan Racer0.3 NM away
- Hell's Gate Island0.4 NM away
- Guiana Island (Grape Bay)1.1 NM away
- North East Marine Management Area1.1 NM away
- Hawksbill Turtle Nesting (Antigua)1.6 NM away
- North Sound Customs Office1.9 NM away
- North Sound Marina1.9 NM away