Seasonal· St Vincent· Windward Islands
Winter North Swell on the Leeward Anchorages
13° 18.0′ N · 61° 14.5′ W · approximate
From late autumn to spring, north and north-west ground swells from Atlantic storms can wrap into St Vincent's west-facing bays, making Chateaubelair, Cumberland and Wallilabou rolly or untenable and turning dinghy landings dangerous.
Practical
Coordinate is Chateaubelair Bay (approx), the most exposed of the clearance bays. Noonsite says northerly swells in the winter months can cause difficulties at Chateaubelair. A 2013 cruiser describes the dinghy pounding under the Wallilabou dock in the evening swell. On swell days, use the south coast (Blue Lagoon, Young Island Cut) or go straight to Bequia, and set a stern anchor or line to hold the bow into the swell.
Best for
Choosing between the leeward and south-coast anchorages
Season
Roughly Nov-Apr, during North Atlantic winter storms
Nearby
- Chateaubelair AnchorageRight here
- Chateaubelair Customs and Immigration0.6 NM away
- North Leeward Breadfruit Festival0.7 NM away
- Thirteen Stones of Chateaubelair (Petroglyphs)0.7 NM away
- Richmond Beach0.9 NM away
- Dark View Falls1.3 NM away
- Trinity Falls2.2 NM away
- Cumberland Bay Reef Edges Snorkel2.3 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).