What's the Cheapest Mooring in the Caribbean? (9 Surprising Places)

Written by Desiree Vilar in Cost of Sailing

From the stunning beaches of the British Virgin Islands to the turquoise waters of the Bahamas, there's no shortage of places to explore in the Caribbean. But with so many popular destinations, finding an affordable mooring spot can be a challenge. To ease your worries and just enjoy, we've put together a list of nine surprising places where you can moor your boat in this paradise without breaking the bank.

Here are 9 surprising places with the cheapest mooring rates in the Caribbean:

  1. Bahia Honda, Cuba
  2. Port Antonio, Jamaica
  3. Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago
  4. Soufriere, St. Lucia
  5. Bonaire
  6. Culebra, Puerto Rico
  7. Simpson Bay, St. Maarten
  8. Grenada
  9. Great Inagua Island, Bahamas

The cost of mooring in these locations ranges from $10 to $30 per night. Let's see how much the specific mooring costs for each, as well as the amenities offered by each mooring spot.

Summary

  • The cheapest mooring spots in the Caribbean can be found at Bahia Honda, Bonaire, and Great Inagua Island, all priced at $10 per night.
  • Simpson Bay, St. Maarten, offers mooring spots for $35 per night, still cheap compared to others.
  • Many of these mooring spots are located in well-protected bays and harbors, making them safe and secure places to anchor or moor your boat.
  • Some of the cheapest mooring locations in the Caribbean offer a range of amenities and facilities, including restaurants, shops, and marinas.

Cheapest Mooring in the Caribbean

The table below shows some of the cheapest mooring spots in the Caribbean with their estimated pricing per night:

Location Estimated price per night
Bahia Honda, Cuba $10
Port Antonio, Jamaica $20
Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago $25
Soufriere, St. Lucia $30
Bonaire $10
Culebra, Puerto Rico $20
Simpson Bay, St. Maarten $35
Grenada $25
Great Inagua Island, Bahamas $10

Bahia Honda, Cuba

Bahia Honda is a great spot to moor your boat if you're on a budget. It's located on the southern coast of Cuba, and the cost is only $10 per night.

The bay is located on the north coast of the island and is well-protected from the open sea, making it a safe and secure place to anchor or moor your boat.

There are several options for mooring at Bahia Honda, including the marina at the nearby town of Santa Lucia, which offers a range of services and facilities for boaters, including fuel, water, and electricity hookups, as well as restaurants, shops, and other amenities.

Alternatively, there are also several anchorages within the bay itself, which offer good holding and protection from the prevailing winds and currents. However, note that these anchorages can be quite crowded during peak season, and you need to take care when anchoring to avoid damaging the fragile coral reefs that are found in the area.

Port Antonio, Jamaica

Mooring at Port Antonio is another budget-friendly option, costing only around $20 per night. One option is the Port Antonio Marina, which offers affordable mooring rates for both short-term and long-term stays. The marina is located in the heart of Port Antonio and offers easy access to shops, restaurants, and other amenities.

Another option is the Errol Flynn Marina, which is located on the eastern side of Port Antonio. This marina offers mooring for boats of all sizes and has a range of facilities including showers, laundry, and a swimming pool.

If you're looking for something a bit more secluded, you might want to consider the Blue Lagoon Marina. This marina is located in a beautiful natural setting and offers a peaceful and quiet atmosphere for boaters.

Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago

Chaguaramas is a popular destination for boaters and sailors, and the cost is around $25 per night. There are many marinas and boatyards in the area, so you can easily find a place to moor your boat.

One of the most popular marinas in Chaguaramas is the CrewsInn Marina, which offers both wet and dry dockage for boats of all sizes. The marina is located in a protected bay and features a range of amenities, including a restaurant, swimming pool, and laundry facilities.

Another popular option is the Coral Cove Marina, which is located in the heart of Chaguaramas and offers both long-term and short-term moorings. The marina is situated in a sheltered cove and features a range of services, including fuel, water, and electricity.

Other marinas and moorings in the area include the Power Boats Marina, the Trinidad and Tobago Yacht Club, and the Peake Yacht Services Marina.

Soufriere, St. Lucia

Soufriere is a beautiful town located on the southwestern coast of St. Lucia where you can moor your boat for only $30 per night. It is a popular destination for tourists because of its stunning natural beauty, including the iconic Pitons, which are two volcanic peaks that rise out of the sea.

Moorings in Soufriere are available for boaters who wish to anchor their boats in the town's harbor. The harbor is relatively small, but it is well-protected and offers a safe haven for boats.

The town's marina offers slips for boats up to 60 feet in length, and there are also several mooring buoys available for rent. The mooring buoys are maintained by the Soufriere Marine Management Association, which ensures that they are in good condition and available for use by visiting boaters.

In addition to the marina and mooring buoys, there are also several anchorages available in Soufriere, located in areas that are protected from the prevailing winds and offer good holding ground for boats.

Bonaire

Bonaire is a small Caribbean island located just north of Venezuela. It is known for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life, making it a popular destination for divers and snorkelers, and the cost to moor your boat is only $10 per night.

Bonaire is also a great place for outdoor activities such as hiking, windsurfing, and kayaking. The island is home to a national park, Washington Slagbaai National Park, which offers visitors a chance to explore the island's natural beauty. Bonaire is also the least affected by hurricanes, the same as Aruba.

If you want to gain a better understanding of how the Caribbean climate affects sailing time, you can read this article.

This place is also known for its conservation efforts, with a focus on protecting the island's marine life and preserving its natural habitats. Their cheap mooring rate is because the island has a strong commitment to marine conservation.

The mooring fee helps to fund the maintenance and management of the mooring buoys, as well as other conservation efforts on the island. Additionally, the low mooring fee is intended to encourage responsible boating practices and to make Bonaire an attractive destination for boaters who are interested in sustainable tourism.

Southern Caribbean destinations like Aruba and Bonaire are typically the least affected by hurricanes.

Culebra, Puerto Rico

Culebra is a small island located off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. It is a great spot for budget-conscious sailors, with mooring fees of only around $20 per night.

It is known for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and abundant marine life. The island is a popular destination for sailors and boaters, as it offers a number of sheltered anchorages and marinas.

In addition to its natural beauty, Culebra is also home to a number of historical sites, including a 19th-century Spanish fort and several old sugar mills. Visitors to the island can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, and bird-watching.

The island is also a great place to sample traditional Puerto Rican cuisine, with a number of local restaurants serving fresh seafood and other regional specialties.

Simpson Bay

Simpson Bay is a picturesque bay located on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of St. Maarten. It is a popular spot for sailors and boaters, thanks to its calm waters and well-equipped marina.

The cost of staying in the marina is around $35 per night, making it an affordable option for those looking to explore the area by boat.

In addition to the marina, Simpson Bay is home to a wide range of amenities that cater to visitors such as restaurants, shops, and bars in the area, offering everything from fresh seafood to local souvenirs.

Visitors can also enjoy a variety of water sports, including snorkeling, diving, and fishing. The area is also home to several beautiful beaches, as well as hiking trails and nature reserves.

Grenada

Grenada is a popular destination for boaters and sailors, and there are many options for mooring your boat on the island, with prices starting at $25 per night. Some of the most popular mooring locations include:

  • St. George's Harbour: This is the main port of entry for Grenada, and it offers a variety of mooring options for boats of all sizes. There are several marinas located in the harbor, as well as anchorages for those who prefer to anchor out:

  • Prickly Bay: This is a popular anchorage located on the southern coast of Grenada. It offers good protection from the prevailing winds and is close to several restaurants and shops.

  • Hog Island: This is a small island located just off the coast of Grenada. It offers several mooring options, including mooring balls and anchorages. There are also several beach bars and restaurants located on the island.

  • Tyrell Bay: This is a popular anchorage located on the island of Carriacou, which is part of Grenada. It offers good protection from the prevailing winds and is close to several shops and restaurants.

Grenada is also known to be one of the safest routes for sailing in the Caribbean because its location is outside the typical hurricane path.

Great Inagua Island, Bahamas

Great Inagua Island is the southernmost island and is considered a remote spot in the Bahamas. If you're on a budget, mooring fees on this island only cost around $10 per night. It is known for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and excellent fishing opportunities.

Thinking of choosing between mooring and docking? Here's how much docking a boat costs in the Bahamas.

One of the most popular marinas on Great Inagua Island is the Matthew Town Marina, located in Matthew Town, the island's largest town. They offer a range of services and amenities to boaters, including fuel, water, electricity, and a boat ramp. The marina also has a number of moorings available for rent, which are suitable for boats of all sizes.

Another popular mooring option on Great Inagua Island is the Morton Salt Company Pier, also located in Matthew Town and is primarily used by commercial vessels. However, the pier also has a number of moorings available for rent, which can be used by recreational boaters.

Need a guide on how to sail the Caribbean on a budget? You can find useful tips in this article.


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