Soufrière Bay Moorings (SMMA)

13° 51.3′ N · 61° 3.7′ W · approximate

SMMA moorings off the old French capital of Soufrière, with Petit Piton rearing up just south: a deep, dramatic bay where you can walk into town for the market, the volcano and the botanical gardens.

The Grenadines Grenada St Lucia & Martinique

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Position is off the Soufrière jetty, derived from the OpenStreetMap coastline (approx); Noonsite gives the bay entrance as 13°51'N, 61°04'W. SMMA rules in brief (Noonsite, last updated April 2023, and the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority): the coast from Anse Cochon to Gros Piton is managed by the Soufrière Marine Management Area; anchoring is forbidden except in designated zones, and even there only by day (6 am to 6 pm) with a stern line to a palm tree. Use only SMMA moorings, which carry a yellow tag on the pick-up line; private moorings laid by locals off the town are not SMMA moorings and are of unknown quality. Mooring requires a Coral Conservation Permit bought from a uniformed SMMA ranger. The water deepens fast and moorings sit close to shore and to each other; you may need a stern line to stop swinging into neighbours (EnezGreen). Sheltered from the trades but subject to gusts swirling off the mountains, and swell can enter in bad weather. Arrive early in high season (December to April). The Soufrière dock master monitors VHF 16. Dinghy dock: a security gate, cameras and wardens operate about 9 am to 5 pm (Noonsite, 2018 update). Security: Soufrière has a long record of break-ins and dinghy thefts; patrols by SMMA and police continue but boardings are still reported, so keep someone aboard or hire a watchman, and lift and lock the dinghy. Expect boat boys on arrival (see the etiquette entry).

Soufrière Bay Moorings (SMMA)

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