Bahamas Pilot Notes
Alicetown Gun Cay and Cat Cay: 25 34N, 79 18W
Pilotage: The entrance channel is fre-
Waypoint
quently shifted to follow the deepest water.
Gun Cay Light
In spring 2006 the channel was dredged
into the North Bimini harbor. A privately
25 34.5N, 79 18.8W Fl W 10s 80ft, 15M Red/White
maintained range on the South Bimini beach
stone tower, obscured by Bimini between 176° and 198°
directs boats over the bar. The channel then
at 8nm. Unofficially reported unlilt.
parallels the beach running north into the
Pilotage: Anchor here before crossing the
harbor. If in doubt, call marinas on VHF for
Great Bahama Bank. The channel between
directions. Arrive with good light, when the
Gun Cay and North Cat Cay is easy when the
shoals are most visible.
sun is high. Hug the shore of Gun Cay close-
Port of entry: Clear customs after secur-
ly until past the bar extending north from
ing your boat in a marina. Check with the
North Cat Cay. Receive NOAA weather radio
dockmaster for customs forms, and proceed
from Florida; cross the banks with a favor-
to customs and immigration office near the
able forecast.
ferry dock.
Port of entry: Clear customs at the docks
Dockage: Several marinas. Take care when
on the east side of North Cat Cay. The Cat
approaching any slip because of the strong
Cay Yacht Club dockmaster VHF 16 will
currents running through the harbor.
contact customs for you; a $100 marina fee is
Anchorage: Anchorage is available NE of
charged to clear in here but applied to your
the Big Game Club. Be careful not to block
dock fee.
access to the marinas or the seaplane ramp.
Dockage: Contact the Cat Cay Yacht Club.
There are strong currents with poor holding,
Anchorage: On either side of Gun Cay,
and the bottom shoals rapidly to the E and N.
depending upon the weather. Surge on the
Services: Fuel, water, groceries, liquor,
W side. Honeymoon Harbor, on the N end
hardware, laundry, ice, and some marine
of Gun Cay is subject to surge. Be careful in
supplies are available.
a N wind.
Services: Available at the Cat Cay Yacht
Club. Transients may use the yacht club ma-
rina, laundry, gift shop, and restaurant, but
otherwise are not allowed on island.
Facility Location Phone VHF
Bimini Blue Water Alicetown 242-347-3166 68
Bimini Big Game Fishing Club & Hotel Alicetown 242-347-3391 16
Seacrest Marina Alicetown 242-347-3477 16
Weech’s Bimini Dock Alicetown 242-347-3028 18
Bimini Sands South Bimini 242-347-3500 16
Cat Cay Yacht Club Cat Cay 242-347-3565 16
The Berry Islands
Waypoints
Chub Point Light
(see chart on next spread)
25 24.4N, 77 54.6W Fl W R 10s 44ft 7M
Pilotage: The Berry Islands are located
along the NE edge of the Grand Bahama
W:320°-054°, R:054°-320°
Bank. Chub Cay, at the S end of the chain, is Whale Point Light, SW point of Whale Cay
the primary port. There is less traffic in and
25 23.7N, 77 48.1W Fl W 4s 7M
among these islands than elsewhere in the
Bahamas, and many of the islands are pri-
Stone tower. 43ft.
vately owned.
260