Setting Point, Anegada

This is the main location on Anegada that is approachable by yacht. Sprinkled with a selection of small businesses catering to the needs of sailors and tourists, This part of Anegada is quaint and easygoing. Time stands still. Enjoy it.

Approach:

Approach is tricky, when compared with the rest of the virgins, where line-of-site piloting reigns. The easiest way in is from the North Sound of Virgin Gorda. Leave early in the morning to leave time for your passage and to enter the sometimes tricky channel at Setting Point in good overhead light. Make your course 5 degrees magnetic from Mosquito Rock, and the waypoint lays just over 12 miles ahead (it’s a good idea to punch the waypoint into your GPS and never sail to the east of this rhumbline. This should keep you out of reef areas.

Upon arriving at your waypoint, take your time to make out the red and green markers outlining the channel. They can be hard to spot, and there are no longer three reds like the charts and most guides tell you, only two. Follow this channel carefully all the way to the last green.

Anchoring/Mooring:

After passing the last green you can (if your draft is reasonable) break left and up into the anchorage proper, or go right and head out into the more open anchorage off the commercial dock, where you will have more privacy, but might be more exposed. Keep and eye on depth and drop the hook in good holding sand with some grassy areas. The wind may howl on occasion, but the surrounding reef keeps the chop to a minimum. The only time you might feel rolly is with a strong S swell, or the odd swells from the NW wrapping around Pomato Point.

Ashore:

This place has a lot to do, so get started early if you only have one day. Not to be missed are the North Shore beaches, Loblolly being the most popular for snorkelers and those looking to kick back at The Big Bamboo. There are miles of beaches to explore, and any of the shuttle/taxi drivers will be happy to give you advice on which beach might best suit your desires. Dinghy in and go to any dock, the most obvious being the public dock at Potter’s. Lots of taxis here, or you can head to the Anegada Reef Hotel to the West and take their beach shuttle for $8 round trip (runs from 8am every day).

Don’t Miss:

Lobster dinner at one of the beachside restaurants. It’s a bit of a rite-of-passage and, though expensive ($40-$46 for complete dinner), well worth the experience. All lobsters come in fresh in the afternoon, and will be grilled in foil over wood fires before coming to your table. Dress up the crew and head in for a special meal. Just don’t forget to make reservations early (by 4pm for most places, and be prepared to tell them if you want lobster or another dish) so they can make sure they have food for you. All monitor VHF 16.