Anchoring and clearance in Mustique

Moorings, anchoring rules, conservation fees and clearance for yachts in Britannia Bay.

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Anchoring

Moorings and anchoring

Britannia Bay is the only anchorage on the island.

WhereThe only permissible anchorage is Britannia Bay. (Caribbean Compass.) Noonsite says the only mooring allowed is in Britannia Bay.

MooringsThe Mustique Company controls the coastal waters. It provides 35 moorings for yachts up to 60 ft. (Caribbean Compass.)

Larger yachtsYachts over 60 ft anchor outside the moorings under the harbour master's direction. Do not anchor without guidance. (Caribbean Compass.)

ReservationsCall ahead and reserve a mooring with the Mustique Moorings Office on VHF channel 68 or 16. (Mustique Company.)

Montezuma ShoalThe shoal lies half a mile to three-quarters of a mile west of Britannia Bay, marked by a red and black buoy. Stay at least a quarter mile away. (Caribbean Compass.)

Fees

Conservation fee by yacht length

The fee covers three consecutive nights. There is no extra charge for a mooring. The hut at the end of the jetty collects it.

Yacht length	Fee for three nights
Up to 70 ft	XCD 200
71 ft to 100 ft	XCD 450
101 ft to 150 ft	XCD 550
Over 151 ft	XCD 1,000

Caribbean Compass, September 2026. The Compass writes the amounts as EC$. Day charter guests pay a landing fee of XCD 40 per head or XCD 300 per day.

Rules

Clearance and landing

Clear in first

The Ministry of Tourism says a yacht must go straight to a designated port of entry before it stops at any other anchorage. Only the captain may go ashore under the Q flag, with three crew lists, the clearance from the previous port, passports and ship's papers. Boats must also clear out at an official port before they leave. Check the rules for your passport.

Britannia Bay

Noonsite lists Britannia Bay as a port of entry. Caribbean Compass says yachts should pre-register with SailClear. It adds that visitors may need to take a taxi to the airport for formalities.

Cruise tax and permit

The Ministry of Tourism says private vessels pay a cruise tax and charter boats need a St Vincent and the Grenadines Cruising License. Caribbean Compass reports a 30-day cruising permit and a monthly tax of XCD 35 per person over age 12 on private vessels. Check the rules for your passport.

Ashore

Landing and access

Tenders

Use a tender only to drop people ashore in Britannia Bay or to reach the beach in the same bay. (Caribbean Compass.)

Visitor area

Visitors may use the village, the shoreline south to the salt pond and the salt pond trail. (Caribbean Compass.)

Closed beaches

The beach outside the Cotton House Hotel, Lagoon, Dolly and Macaroni beaches are off limits. (Noonsite.)

Restricted weeks

Land access is further restricted for about three weeks at Christmas and New Year, two weeks in August and two weeks at Easter. (Caribbean Compass.)

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