TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Anegada - Horse Shoe Reef day anchorage

Hi, just looking over the chart of Anegada and noticed a day anchorage on the south eastern portion of Horse Shoe reef and was wondering if anyone has explored this anchorage.

I'm curious how the snorkeling might be.

Thanks!

As far as I know there is no anchoring allowed on horseshoe reef. In addition if youre on a charter boat I think every company has it off limits.
G

I also think that area is out of bounds. I don't know of any dive companies that go there either.

The 2015-2016 cruising guide's chart of Anegada marks this area as a day anchorage - on the southwestern side of hore shoe reef(first post erroneously called out the anchorage on the southeastern side).

The reef has caused hundreds of shipwrecks,[7] including HMS Astraea in 1808,[8] the Donna Paula (1819), the MS Rocus (1929)[9] As such, it was once an important scuba diving destination. In an effort to protect the reef, the BVI government has made anchoring on Horseshoe Reef illegal.

There is indeed a 'day' anchorage on the SE portion of the reef, about halfway between the SE tip of the reef and the closest point of land. The anchorage is tenable because if you get close enough it's protected from all sides, except the west.

Howyever....it is now indeed illegal to anchor on the reef, and there are no moorings. Plus, it's definitely not an anchorage for the faint of heart.

If you'd like to try a different spot, other than the traditional 'anchorage', you can anchor on the other side of Pomato Point (to the west, and around the corner). It's technically not part of Horseshoe Reef....I don't think. I've anchored there lots in clear sand, and have delighted in being all alone.

Thank you for all the good information.

Anyone know how to submit updates to Nancy and Simon Scott, authors of The Cruising Guide, so updates can be make to the chart of Anegada?

Cheers