Thanks Twanger. We'll be on a 45' cat - would that big enough to be comfortable in settled conditions? I'll have to decide how important anchoring at Flamenco is for us versus visiting via taxi. We could change our itinerary a bit and make it happen on the way out, but then we would lose a day somewhere else.

Matt

Yes.
We've anchored there in a Lapari 41 and a Helia 44.

If the wind is anywhere south of east it helps. (the surge still comes in tho).

Typical settled summer conditions are normally fine.
Suggest you play it by ear. That's what we do.

Hi Twanger! Sent you a Private Message about some followup questions to the SVIs, especially Vieques.
Thank you!

Couple Vieques tips after just returning from a visit:

- The bio bay tours are not conducted on the day before, during or after the full moon. Price is ~$55 per person for a 2-person kayak.

- An excellent online resource is
https://viequesinsider.com/

- You can also order a map to help plan your onshore excursions
https://discoverymap.com/map-store/all-maps/vieques-pr-map

The monthly Vieques Insider magazine and Vieques discovery map can be found in many stores and restaurants on the island.

- There had been several days of southeast swell before we arrived so the south shore anchorages were all churned up with silt with limited underwater visibility. If possible I would try to time a return when winds and swell have been coming from the E/NE.

- I found very good holding in Esperanza despite warnings about the seagrass bottom (the 88 lb Rocna helped). Anchored just west of the moorings. The dinghy dock has a very high step up and a few missing boards so be careful. Had a delicious lunch at Duffy's along the Malecon.

- Northeast corner of Sun Bay also offered excellent holding. No mooring balls in the bay.

- Bahia de la Chiva is very scenic though exposed to S/SE swell.

No, no, no. Others probably have the same questions, but just haven't asked. The whole point of a forum like this is to share information, so share! Don't take it to PMs unless it is truly something private.

Culebra tips:

Ensenada Honda anchorage has a long fetch to the SE and can be very lumpy if winds are gusting from SE. Watched a liveaboard drag across the harbor a few weeks ago as we were setting the anchor. Make sure the anchor is well buried with plenty of scope if going to Flamenco for the day.

Bahia de Almodovar sees a lot fewer overnight boats than Ensenada Dakity. The inner entrance into Almodovar can be a bit tricky the first time. There are 3 mooring balls used as navigational aids that show the narrow channel into the bay between the reef (submerged at high tide and displayed as an island on my Navionics chart) and the mangroves. Keep these to port as you enter and stay centered between them and the mangroves to starboard - you'll have 10+ feet of water.

Got it.
I've been traveling and not on the web.
Just got back and sent you some comments.