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Islands
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Bridgetown is the capital of Barbados and the island’s biggest city. It is attractively built around the mouth of the Constitution River, so you get views of the water and boats. You can follow the river mouth up into the town with about 7-foot of draft; it is full of other boats with permanent berths. To stay here you have to apply to the Barbados Port Authority to rent one of the limited berths here. Most visiting yachts anchor instead off Carlisle Bay just southeast of the river mouth. This is a scenic anchorage with a lovely sweeping two-mile beach that is home both to the Barbados Yacht Club and the Barbados Sailing and Cruising Club. It can get a little noisy here on the weekends with shore side businesses having loud music till the early hours. You may only anchor in the in the northern half of Carlisle Bay off the The Boatyard. If you anchor off the yacht club with the local yachts, the coastguard will tell you to move. The Boatyard Restaurant at the north end of the bay welcomes yachts. Co-owners Sean Defreitas and Shane Atwell are active members of the Barbados Yacht Club and The Boatyard co-sponsor the excellent Mount Gay/Boatyard regatta in early June. They have ten moorings that will accommodate yachts up to 60 ft. Currently there is no charge for use of the moorings, but should a charge be instituted it will probably be redeemable in the restaurant and bar. Their location is convenient should you want to dinghy up into town. You can call them on VHF: 16. The Boatyard plans to finish a 309-foot dock, with a 32-foot L at the end well before Christmas 2001. You will be able to tie your dinghy here (there is no other dinghy dock in Carlisle Bay) and you will be able to come alongside to take on water. In the meantime you can beach your dinghy. There is sometimes a surge that breaks on the beach so be cautious when coming ashore. There is a designated swimming area that you should avoid. The Boatyard offers several facilities including showers, toilets, restaurants and shops (see our restaurant section for more details). Their internet and communications office will help you do your e-mail, make phone calls and send faxes. They also offer a laundry service, basic procurement, water and information. Register with them upon arrival so they can issue you the appropriate passes. They open seven days week from 0900 till late at night. At the other end of the beach is the Barbados Yacht Club, (VHF: 16), an imposing old colonial building with a long tradition of sailing. It is very much a proper yacht club with large high ceilings and walls decorated with old and new photos and paintings of ships and the sea. It is a smart establishment, the Bajan equivalent of the Royal Yacht Squadron, but more fun with good sailors. However, they do expect a level of decorum, and it is not the place to slop around in a ratty old t-shirt, torn shorts and flip-flops. However if you treat their establishment with respect, you will be welcome. Visiting yachts are given a one-week complimentary membership that entitles them to use the facilities like bathrooms, restaurant and beach bar. Check in with the office upon arrival. There is no dinghy dock but the beach is secure although the swell can sometimes make landing and launching exciting and wet. They have an active sailing and racing schedule from Optimists and Topper dinghies to yacht races; their big yearly event is the Mt. Gay Boatyard Regatta in early June. South of the Barbados Yacht Club, on the other side of the big hotel with the pier, is the much more informal Barbados Sailing and Cruising Club, generally known as the Cruising Club. You will be very welcome here, even in your oldest t-shirt. They are closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Other days the bar is open 1630-2200. If club members are around at other times you can get to use the showers. They also hold a barbecue every month. While there, check out their photo album with photos of early voyagers including Colin Mudie and John Guzzwell.
click chart to enlarge
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Bridgetown, Barbados
