Hi
We plan on spending a night on a mooring at Lavango and then heading out the next morning to Lime Out. We are chartering a catamaran but will likely motor as opposed to sail and will be there in early June.. I was wondering whether it would be advisable to head towards Mary Point and circle around St John that direction or head towards Cruz Bay and circle St John that way to Lime Out.. The mileage looks to be similar either direction. I was also wondering the best way to approach Lime Out. Should we/can we grab a mooring in Hurrricane Hole and dinghy to Lime Out or try and find a place to anchor closer to Lime Out? We are planning on a mooring ball at the Salt Pond for the evening. Thanks!

I think the direction you go just depends on the wind and seas that day. We anchor in Coral Bay for LIme Out but we don't spend the night and typically leave someone on the boat as it is pretty tight in there. I would definitely get there early to find a spot and you will want to get to Salt Pond early in order to get a mooring ball.

If going nonstop and not planning a day stop, heading towards Cruz Bay more direct. But depending on winds, make choice on route and day stop Reef Bay, or on North side, if wind good, a day stop along the way. Salt Pond you will need to be early to get a ball (or very lucky).

Thanks! How early do we need to get to the Salt Pond for a mooring ball? If the Salt Pond is full, is there usually room at Lameshur?

June winds are typically SE which would make motoring along the north shore of St John from Lovango to Coral Bay a bit calmer. However, if you take the south shore route you'll first pass by Little & Great Lameshur and Salt Pond Bay and can count the number of moored vessels. Salt Pond had 5 moorings for a long time, but a 6th was reinstalled last year. Thought I read it might have been destroyed though. These moorings usually turn over as early as 7am to mid-morning. Personally I would much rather secure a mooring in Salt Pond Bay than a taco.

Here is some reference material on Coral Bay. Have a great trip. Tacos are amazing at Lime Out.

https://www.cbycstj.org/coral-bay-cruising-guide

Volle Maan, thanks for posting the Coral Bay Cruising Guide. We are keeping that updated as we go.

Note on anchoring in Coral Bay, we had day boats take out our outer two channel markers. Best place to anchor is to port / west of the outer existing red mark, outside of the mooring field. The outer anchorage has better water, excellent holding, and no old mooring ground tackle to snag.

Regarding Lime Out, we like to go at 3PM after the day rush.

Cheers, RickG

We haven’t sailed the USVI since last year but Salt Pond was always full. I may be in the minority but we don’t find Lime Out worth the hassle. We don’t even bother trying to grab lunch there when diving with Busy Bee (charter the boat for a day) when staying landside on St. John - wait last trip was over an hour. I’d rather spend my time in Little Lameshur having a beach day and BBQ.

Amen