Clifton Harbour: Reef-Protected Moorings and the Yachting Gateway to Union Island

Clifton Harbour is the principal yacht harbour of Union Island and one of the most important cruising hubs in the southern Grenadines. Wrapped behind an extensive coral reef system on the island's eastern coast, the harbour combines vivid turquoise water with a busy mix of charter yachts, fishing boats, ferries and water taxis. Clifton village sits directly along the waterfront, giving yacht guests immediate access to provisioning, restaurants, local markets and essential services.

Its greatest advantage is location. Mayreau and the Tobago Cays lie just to the north, while Palm Island, Petit St. Vincent, Carriacou and Grenada form the natural route south. This makes Clifton Harbour especially useful for yachts transitioning between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the islands of Grenada, as well as for charters needing to provision or complete formalities before continuing through the southern island chain.

Clifton Harbour is also an official yacht port of entry for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Visiting yachts arriving from outside SVG territorial waters are currently required to proceed to the seaport in Clifton Harbour for Customs clearance, with Customs and Immigration operating in Clifton rather than at Union Island Airport.

Approaching Clifton Harbour requires more attention than its sheltered appearance might suggest. Coral reefs and shallow areas surround much of the bay, and current cruising guidance warns that both marked and unmarked hazards may exist within the mooring field. Captains should enter in good daylight, use current charts and maintain careful visual navigation even when local boatmen are assisting with a mooring.

Union Island Airport lies immediately beside the harbour and creates an additional navigational consideration. SVG aviation guidance strongly urges yachts to remain clear of the airport's final approach area. The current published entrance position for Clifton Bay is approximately 12°35'30"N, 61°24'25"W.

The Tobago Cays Marine Park is currently the authorized provider of temporary and overnight moorings in Clifton Harbour, with roughly 20 moorings positioned near the protected reef. Independent anchoring is not permitted near the reef, while anchoring remains allowed on the western side of Clifton Bay.

Yachts anchoring independently should select clear sandy seabed and avoid coral and seagrass. The same environmental principles used throughout the Tobago Cays Marine Park apply here, with moorings preferred where provided and sensitive seabed habitats protected from anchor damage. Current TCMP fee information also specifically includes Clifton Harbour within its mooring fee structure.

Clifton Harbour gives yacht charter guests immediate access to Union Island's main commercial center. Restaurants, bars, supermarkets, specialist yacht provisioners and an open-air fruit and vegetable market are all within easy reach of the waterfront. The Tobago Cays Marine Park also maintains an office opposite the main wharf, where visitors can obtain information about the protected area and arrange park-related services.

Above the harbour, Fort Hill rises approximately 400 feet over Clifton and occupies the site of a former cannon battery. The viewpoint offers sweeping views across the reef, anchorage and neighboring Grenadine islands, making it one of the easiest excursions to combine with a provisioning or clearance stop in Clifton Harbour.