Anchorage· St John· Virgin Islands (BVI, USVI and Spanish Virgins)
Francis Bay Moorings & Anchorage
18° 21.9′ N · 64° 45.0′ W
The north shore's biggest and calmest park bay, tucked behind Whistling Cay and Mary Point: a long mooring field, the island's main designated anchorage, sunset views and a wildlife-rich beach and salt pond ashore.
Practical
Position is the GNIS point for Francis Bay. Coast Pilot 5 (2026): somewhat protected to the north by Whistling Cay, good anchorage in 50 ft, sandy bottom. NPS moorings (white with blue stripe, up to 60 ft) plus 2 big-boat moorings (61 to 100 ft). Francis/Maho is a designated anchorage for vessels up to 210 ft: boats 60 ft and under may anchor only when all suitable moorings in Francis/Maho are occupied; vessels 126 to 210 ft must anchor in sand seaward of the moorings in more than 50 ft, at least 300 ft from any park buoy and east of a line from Mary Point to America Point; stationary positioning allowed in the anchorage (Compendium 2026). Anchor in sand only, never on coral or seagrass. Floating pay station in the bay; NPS vessel-trash bins at Francis Bay (two 10-gallon bags maximum). Calm water good for beginners; Maho and Francis go murky in north swells (NPS). Riding out bad weather at anchor here is prohibited, and moorings/anchorage may not be used when tropical-storm winds are forecast. Francis Bay beach is closed to commercial vessel groups. Park mooring rules (NPS marine page and 2026 Superintendent's Compendium): no anchoring while on a mooring; never secure to a mooring with stern cleats; catamarans run a bridle with one line from each bow cleat through the pennant thimble; no fishing from moorings; 5 mph / no wake in and near mooring fields; vacate park moorings when tropical-storm conditions (winds of 40 mph or more) are forecast. Overnight fee US$26/night (US$13 with Senior/Access pass; NPS fee table labelled 2024, page updated Sept 2026; a 2024 proposal would raise it to US$40 for boats up to 60 ft and charge 24 hours a day, so verify locally), payable before spending the night (5 pm to 7 am) via the Recreation.gov app (scan the QR code on the pay station, site 10214380) or envelope; limit 7 consecutive nights per bay and 30 nights per year. First come, first served; no reservations.
Best for
The best all-round overnight on St John's north shore
Season
Year-round; rolly in winter north swell
