An excellent overnight stop, this place is popular with USVI charterers on the first or last night out because of the close proximity to Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook. And you still feel very much like you’re out in the islands, not out in town.

Approach: If from the West, make sure to find the Cow and Calf on your charts and get a visual. These breaking rocks have a habit of falling right into the middle of your course, and are small enough to slip into your blind spot behind the genoa. If coming from the East, Current Cut is your main concern. It’s a good idea to fire up the engines through here as a preventative measure, as the current can be tremendous and the headland of Great St. James cuts the wind at just the wrong time. There are wrecks on the pebble beach here just to remind you. After that, swing on in just about anywhere, minding the extended shoal area between the tiny Fish Cay and Great St. James.

Anchoring/Mooring: No mooring balls here, but excellent holding in sand and light grass. Drop the hook in 15-30 feet and dive it to check your set. Then settle on back. Great St. James provided excellent wind protection, but the breezes over the saddle keep the place cool and bug free.

Ashore: Nothing really, although much (all?) of Great St. James is currently for sale for a pittance. Something like $40 Million. (I keep checking my pockets and the spare coin jar). Check out the sign on the northern point and make a bid...

Don't Miss: The best place to anchor if you like the breezes and want to snorkel a bit is just to the north of Fish Cay. The trades flow through the saddle to the east and keep you quite comfortable during sunset cocktails. Or if you're looking for it, there is good snorkeling off the southern point at The Stragglers.