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

Isabel Segunda Anchorage (Vieques)

18° 9.2′ N · 65° 26.9′ W · approximate

The open roadstead off Isabel Segunda, Vieques' main town and ferry port on Bahía de Mulas, under the Punta Mulas lighthouse and the old Spanish fort. Boats anchor here to walk into town for groceries, the fort museum and the ferry.

British Virgin IslandsUS Virgin IslandsSpanish Virgins

Practical

Position is approximate: placed in the water a few hundred yards northwest of the ferry pier, using the NOAA Isabel Segunda tide station (18.1525 N, 65.4438 W) and the OpenStreetMap ferry terminal as the reference; check depth on the chart. Coast Pilot 5 says small vessels anchor north and south of the pier according to draft, and that a depth of 12 ft can be taken to the 300-ft pier on the east side of the bay (4 to 12 ft alongside). The outer anchorage is exposed; the small-boat anchorage gives fair shelter in ordinary weather, but with north winds a heavy sea runs into the bay and small craft drag. Coast Pilot also warns that the approach is obstructed by numerous unmarked shoals of 5 to 30 ft, so use the chart and good light. Keep clear of the ferries using the pier. Tidal range is small: NOAA gives a great diurnal range of about 1.2 ft at Isabel Segunda. Nearest hurricane shelters named by Coast Pilot are Ensenada Honda on Culebra and Ensenada Honda on Puerto Rico's east coast. Fuel is only by jerry jug from the gas station in town (Noonsite).

Best for

Day stop for town errands, the fort and Punta Mulas lighthouse in settled trade winds

Season

Best in settled east to southeast trades; untenable in north swell (winter cold fronts)

Nearby