There are enough anchorages in these islands to keep a serious cruiser going for weeks. There is a quiet anchorage at the head of Ensenada Honda, just off the main town of Culebra. The town, which was all but flattened by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, is a delightful blend of Caribbean and Spanish cultures.

The centrepiece is the red and white lifting bridge which spans the narrow boat canal. The bridge is rumoured to have lifted just once, on its day of inauguration some 30 odd years ago. It became stuck and remained in the open position for several days, trapping cars on one side or another. Engineers finally managed to return tlhe bridge to the closed position, where it has remained ever since!

If the range is hot, one is very courteously encouraged to return on another day. If you do not hear them it is wise to call the range by VHF.

Cruising in the Spanish Virgin Islands certainly does give one the impression of what life must have been like throughout the Caribbean some 30 or 40 years ago. We found the people friendly and helpful. Customs regulations were somewhat laid back and relaxed.
Arriving from the US Virgins it is important to.check in with the authorities and obtain a cruising permit. The official currency is the US dollar, and both English and Spanish are spoken and understood.

Ice, fuel and water are all available, but not always easy to obtain when and where you might wish. There are some local laundries. We found an adequate telephone system and a small airport provides a regular air ferry service to Puerto Rico.

Fresh vegetables can be a little sparse and we would advise that a good stock of fresh produce should be brought with the visiting yacht after that, one relies on impulse shopping when green leaves are spotted at road side stalls!

But visit these islands for their natural beauty, tranquillity and the diving, for fine food restaurants and noisy nighttime entertainment simply can not be found here.

Suggested Itinerary

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