Anchorage· St Thomas· Virgin Islands (BVI, USVI and Spanish Virgins)

Benner Bay (The Lagoon)

18° 19.1′ N · 64° 52.1′ W · approximate

St. Thomas's working-boat harbor and traditional hurricane hole, a shallow lagoon behind Cas, Rotto and Bovoni cays lined with marinas, the island's only full-service boatyard, a chandlery and a supermarket.

British Virgin IslandsUS Virgin IslandsSpanish Virgins

Practical

Position approximate: in Benner Bay at the OpenStreetMap label, checked to be in the water. Coast Pilot: one of the most protected small-boat harbors on St. Thomas; yacht clubs and marinas on the north shore offer berths, gasoline, diesel, water and some marine supplies, and a 50-ton hoist handles craft to 65 ft. Approach: pass east of the buoy off Red Point (east point of Cas Cay), follow the best water toward the whitewashed area on Rotto Cay, keep Rotto Cay 100 yards to starboard and Grassy Cay close to starboard, run to within 100 yards of Bovoni Cay, then head north to the facilities. The channel is privately maintained; severe shoaling was reported in 1981 and submerged pilings may exist, so get local knowledge and check the draft. Waters between Cas Cay and Patricia Cay are shoal with breakers: do not enter there. Designated DPNR anchorage (as is neighboring Jersey Bay). USVI anchoring rules: DPNR requires an Anchoring Permit for recreational vessels anchoring in USVI waters without a mooring permit, and charter vessels not registered in the USVI need a Cruising Permit for overnight anchoring; pollution and refuse discharge fines run to US$10,000 per offense (DPNR site, 2026). DPNR enforces a 14-day limit in any one designated anchorage in a six-month period (Noonsite, 2018); move bays to restart the count or apply for a long-term permit (up to 30 days).

Best for

Haul-outs, repairs, chandlery and hurricane shelter

Season

Year-round; the island's main hurricane hole

Nearby