Anchorage· St Thomas· Virgin Islands (BVI, USVI and Spanish Virgins)
Red Hook Bay Anchorage (Muller Bay)
18° 19.5′ N · 64° 50.7′ W · approximate
The anchorage at St. Thomas's east end, in Muller Bay just south of the Red Hook ferry and marina harbor, looking straight across Pillsbury Sound to St. John. Handy for the ferry, American Yacht Harbor and Red Hook's bars and groceries, but exposed.
Practical
Position approximate: in Muller Bay (OpenStreetMap), toward the southern shore, checked to be in the water. Noonsite (2019): Muller Bay is mostly sand with areas of rock and coral; no moorings for rent; the inner harbor (Vessup Bay) is off limits for anchoring; swell comes in from the east and the bay can be rolly, so anchor as close as possible to the southern shore; probably not comfortable for a long stay. Dinghy dock: in American Yacht Harbor on the lee side of E dock at the far end. Coast Pilot: the channel through Redhook Bay into Vessup Bay is marked by private buoys; ferries to St. John use the L-shaped pier in the northeast of Vessup Bay, so keep the ferry lane clear and expect wakes all day; Red Hook Bay west of Redhook Point is a 6 mph speed zone; a 23 ft spot lies 0.6 mile ESE of Cabrita Point. Designated DPNR anchorage (Red Hook / Vessup 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
Staging for St. John and the BVI, ferry runs and Red Hook provisioning
Season
Year-round; rolly in easterly swell
Nearby
- Red Hook Ferry Terminal (Urman Victor Fredericks Marine Terminal)0.2 NM away
- American Yacht Harbor Fuel Dock (Red Hook)0.3 NM away
- Vessup Bay (Red Hook Inner Harbor)0.3 NM away
- American Yacht Harbor (Red Hook)0.4 NM away
- Bernie's Bar & Grill (Red Hook)0.4 NM away
- Duffy's Love Shack (Red Hook)0.4 NM away
- Hook'd USVI (Red Hook)0.4 NM away
- Island Time Pub (Red Hook)0.4 NM away