Anchorage· Dominica· Leeward Islands

Prince Rupert Bay Anchorage (Portsmouth)

15° 34.8′ N · 61° 27.9′ W · approximate

Dominica's biggest and most popular yacht anchorage: a wide, west-facing bay under the twin hills of the Cabrits, backed by Portsmouth town, the Indian River and the PAYS beach pavilion. Free anchoring, a 24-hour security patrol and the jump-off for the north of the island make it the default first stop coming south from Guadeloupe.

St Martin, Anguilla & St Barths Antigua & Barbuda Guadeloupe, Les Saintes & Dominica

Practical

Position is approximate: a point about 400 m off the Lagoon/Bay Street shoreline in the northern part of the bay, derived from OpenStreetMap shoreline features; anchor by eye. Anchoring is free. Holding is variable - some sand is mixed with coral rubble and weed/sea grass (cruisers report needing a second try); closer to the beach generally holds best. Noforeignland users report good holding in about 8 m in the NE corner. Anchor in the northern part of the bay, from the concrete fishing dock north toward Purple Turtle, where PAYS can watch you; Noonsite (Nov 2024) advises NOT anchoring in the south of the bay, where thefts and boardings have been reported. Give PAYS mooring buoys 360-degree swing room. Boats lie west to the afternoon sea breeze and swing back east at dusk; easterly squalls blow through at night, so set well. Rolly in heavy northerly swell and in SE winds. Wednesday and Saturday are loud-music nights ashore - anchor further out for quiet. Unlit abandoned boats in the bay: avoid a night entry. Informal cruiser net on VHF 62 (Noonsite). Dinghy to the PAYS dock (lock the dinghy; past thefts at the PAYS and Madiba docks were from unlocked dinghies). Water, fuel, ice, laundry and garbage via PAYS; supermarkets, bakery, market and two fuel stations in town.

Prince Rupert Bay Anchorage (Portsmouth)

Practical

Best for

Season

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