Bahamas Pilot Notes
George Town knowledge, but room is limited among the
Port of entry: Customs in the government rental moorings. It is wise to scout the chan-
building near the wharf; you may tie there nels in a dinghy. Many boats anchor off the
temporarily. well-known Peace & Plenty Hotel 242-336-
Dockage: Exuma Docking Services in Kidd 2551. Dinghy docks are in Lake Victoria
Cove, 8ft. Approaches to the dock at low tide behind Exuma Market.
are less than 6ft. Services: Fuel, water, ice, propane, grocer-
Anchorage: A popular spot is off the ies, some marine supplies, laundry, public
“holes” at Stocking Island or in one of the telephones, Internet, restaurants, and bars
“holes” themselves. Boats with drafts of are available. Good air connections can be
around 6ft may enter the holes with local made via Nassau or southern Florida.
Facility Location Phone VHF
Highborne Cay Marina Highborne Cay 242-355-1008 71
Sampson Cay Club Sampson Cay 242-355-2034 16
Compass Cay Marina Compass Cay 242-355-2137 16
Staniel Cay Yacht Club Staniel Cay 242-355-2024
Farmer’s Cay Yacht Club Farmer’s Cay 242-355-4017 16
Exuma Docking Services Georgetown/Kidd Cove 242-336-2578 16
Cat Island to Great Inagua
Pilotage: Cat Island is located along the E
side of Exuma Sound. The island is largely
(see chart on next spread)
exposed and Hawks Nest Creek is the only
Pilotage: South and W of Cat Island and
significant safe haven.
Long Island, the Bahamas Islands become far
Dockage: Hawks Nest Marina, 6.5ft at low
more scattered and the passages among them
tide.
exposed to the open ocean. Passages are lon-
Anchorage: Anchor in the narrow creek
ger and more influenced by weather. Many
between the shoals past the marina; strong
of the isolated S islands offer little or no safe
current and poor holding.
haven; use caution in planning. Georgetown
Services: Available at the marina. Restau-
in the Exumas is the southernmost port of
rants and bars nearby.
call for many cruisers. For boats bound for
Bennett’s Harbour is very small with sev-
points in the Caribbean there are several
eral wrecks. Pigeon Creek may offer shelter
jumping off points at Cockburn Town on San
to shallow-draft boats. N or S of the harbor,
Salvador, Stella Maris on Long Island, and
limited shelter off the W coast of Cat Island
Matthewtown on Great Inagua.
for protection from W wind.
Waypoints
Waypoint
Nuevitas Rocks Light, on eastern Jumentos Cays
Bennett’s Harbour, entrance to Harbour Creek
23 09.43N, 75 22.62W Fl W 4s 10M Gray
24 33.5N, 75 38.4W Fl W 4s 12M Gray
metal tower, 38ft.
structure, 30ft. Visible 350°-130°. Unreliable.
South Point Light, Turbot Hill
Port Nelson: 23 40N, 74 50W; Rum Cay
22 51.2N, 74 51.35W Fl W 2.5s 12M Gray
(see chart on next spread)
metal structure, 61ft. Partially obscured 140°-245°.
Waypoint
Hogsty Reef Light, on Northwest Cay
Cotton Field Point Light
21 41.65N, 73 50.8W Fl W 4s 8M Red
23 39.2N, 74 51.6W Fl W Y R 10s 75ft 10M
mast, white bands. 29ft.
R: 083.5°-006.5°; W: 006.5°-014.5°; Y: 014.5°-
075.5°; W: 075.5°-083.5°.
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