Chatham Bay: Secluded Anchorage and Sunset Cruising on Union Island

Chatham Bay is one of the most beautiful and secluded yacht anchorages in the southern Grenadines, a vast natural bay occupying much of Union Island's western coastline. Steep green hills rise almost directly from the water, while a long sandy beach curves around the head of the bay. Far removed from the activity of Clifton Harbour on the opposite side of the island, Chatham offers the peaceful, boat-accessed atmosphere that many guests come to the Grenadines to experience. The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority describes it as a very pretty bay offering peace and seclusion for visiting yachts.

The anchorage is particularly memorable in the late afternoon. With nothing but open Caribbean Sea to the west, Chatham Bay offers excellent sunset views from the yacht, while the surrounding hills shelter much of the bay from the prevailing easterly trade winds. Sea turtles are regularly seen in the water, and the rocky northern and southern edges of the bay provide some of Union Island's better snorkeling.

Chatham Bay also provides a very different shore experience from Clifton. Instead of shops and ferry traffic, guests find a long beach, hiking trails and a handful of traditionally simple local food spots. Hurricane Beryl severely damaged the beachfront businesses in July 2024, and subsequent cruising reports documented local operators gradually returning. The bay nevertheless remains primarily a natural anchorage, with its beach, hills and clear water providing the main attraction.

Chatham Bay lies on the leeward western side of Union Island and offers a broad, open approach from the Caribbean Sea. There is considerably more maneuvering room here than inside Clifton Harbour, but captains should still approach in good visibility and use current charts when moving close to the shoreline. The bay becomes deep relatively quickly, with suitable sandy patches providing the preferred places to set an anchor.

Current cruising guidance advises yachts to avoid anchoring directly beneath the cliff in the northwestern part of the bay, as this area is now used as a dive site. Brief but powerful wind gusts can also descend from the steep hills surrounding Chatham, particularly when the trade winds are strong. Despite these occasional downdrafts, the bay is generally considered a calm and well-protected anchorage in normal easterly conditions.

Yachts arriving at Union Island from outside St. Vincent and the Grenadines should complete entry formalities at Clifton Harbour before settling in Chatham Bay. Current clearance guidance identifies Clifton as Union Island's main seaport for Customs and Immigration.

Chatham Bay offers extensive room for yachts to anchor, with sand providing the preferred seabed and generally good holding. Captains should visually identify a clear sandy patch rather than anchoring over reef or seagrass. The size of the bay allows considerably more separation between yachts than in Clifton Harbour or Salt Whistle Bay.

The surrounding hills provide strong protection from the easterly trade winds, although sudden gusts can funnel down the slopes and cause yachts to swing. Western or northwestern swell is a more significant concern because the bay is open directly toward the Caribbean Sea. Captains should therefore assess both wind and swell before choosing Chatham for an overnight stay.

Chatham Bay is one of Union Island's best places for combining a yacht anchorage with swimming, snorkeling and walking ashore. Sea turtles are frequently seen around the bay, while snorkeling is particularly worthwhile around the rocky northern and southern ends. The northwestern headland also contains reef habitat used for diving.

Walking trails climb from the beach toward the hills and ridges above Chatham, providing elevated views across the anchorage and the Caribbean Sea. Guests wanting shops, substantial provisioning, banking or formal yacht services should use Clifton, as Chatham Bay remains deliberately simple and relatively remote.