Boating & overnight Anchorages

[gmerle]

I am going to bareboat around the USVI (I know the area well, esp. the BVI, so I decided to rediscover St. thomas and St. John) in mid march (2007). I have been looking around for good maps of the Islands that provide achorage information, but It's quite difficult to find good info...

So, a few questions:
1) Does anybody know if the bays by the airport (west end of st. thomas) are safe overnight anchorages? What are the closest ones (besides Charlotte Amalie)? How is the snorkeling/scuba around the west end?

2) Is Magens bay a good overnight anchorage? I have heard conflicting reports. Most books and charter companies seem to say no, b/c they seem to try to keep people away from the north side of St. Thomas. It's a huge bay and it's very calm, so I wonder if there are other issues, such as backwinding or currents. Any info would help my planning. I have also heard from friends who have succesfully anchored there overnight... Please let me know if you know of a good overnight anchorage on the north side.

3) Does Red Hook provide moorings for overnight stays?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

ps. I will be on a 50' power yacht btw.
pps. does anyone know what fish are edible if caught inshore? I've eaten cero mackerel and Yellowtail snapper w/o probs, but I've been told to be fearful...

[ScubaGirl]

The only 2 bays we've stayed in on St. Thomas is Brewers Bay, beside the airport, and it's OK for overnight, and Water Bay on the north side.

There are some good overnight places on Water Island, on the Crown Bay side.

As for Red Hook, I don't believe there are overnight moorings there, you either have to anchor or get a slip.

Hope this helps.

[gmerle]

Thanks so much ScubaGirl! this helps a lot. I'm trying to figure out if it's worth trying the north side, and it sounds like it may be possible.

and Brewers bay is in fact the bay I was asking about near the airport as well.
very helpful. thanks.
g