Anchorage at Carisle Bay, Antigua

We keep coming back here year after year as one of our favorite places to anchor in Antigua. It's about 3 nm west of Falmouth Harbour and well protected from easterly winds and swell. If the winds and swell are from the southeast then you need to anchor deeper into the bay.

The bottom is all sand with some turtlegrass and naturally there are tons of turtles that surface around us. The sun sets off the stern of the yacht each night so we're in a perfect location to watch for the 'green flash'.

This is a terrific place to do some scuba diving as it's shallow, clear water and easy to just jump off the back of the swim platform to check out your equipment. We usually come here early in the season to get familiar with our gear again before venturing out to other locations. Across the bay, toward Curtain Bluff, is a nice rocky point and is one of the best snorkeling areas around. It also makes for a great beginner dive site. Lots of software coral, elkhorn coral and thousands of fish. There is also a resident giant barracuda (over a meter in size) that comes over to greet you when you first jump in.

Carisle Bay Resort is nearby and has a nice restaurant if you are so inclined. Likewise for the beautiful Curtain Bluff Resort located just across the bay from us. Finally, to round out the trio, we really like to drop by for lunch or dinner at the Boxer Shack.

One more benefit is that, during Antigua Sailing Week, they place a marker close to this bay for the big yachts to round on their way around the regatta circuit. This makes it a wonderful place to view the regatta form the deck of your own yacht, fantastic!