Hurricane safe marina in bahamas

[ikold]

Can anyone recommend a hurricane hole or most protected marina in the Bahamas.

[Captain Bill]

Hatchet Bay and holes 1,2,and 3 on stocking island are pretty good holes, no marinas there though. The Marina at Chub cay might be pretty good, but last I heard they were out of business. Marinas fold the get bought and reopened all the time in the Bahamas so that may have changed. Treasure cay in the Abacos might be pretty good too. It sometimes depends on which side of the place the storm passes. I'm sure there are many others and others will chime in here.

[Vasco]

Are you going to store the boat or live aboard?

[model 10]

The canals near Freeport have some almost perfect looking spots.

[ShaktisBoy]

Great Harbor in the Northern Berry's

[Tim L.]

Captain Bill is right; Hatchett Bay on Eleuthera is a great hole but has very limited moorings (and I think there is now a charge) and holding is only OK. We got a mooring there for a good blow but another sailboat on the hook held well. Holes 1-2-3 on Stocking Island, Exumas are tricky getting in to, and last time I was there Hole 3 (Cleaning Hole) did not allow you to remain on board long term. Could have changed. Emerald Bay at North end of Great Exuma had great facilities but a bit exposed to a NE-SE swell. Another place that gets mixed reviews is Compass Cay. Another tricky entrance to more tricky docking and not cheap, but if you need a place to avoid a major storm, money is no longer at the top of the list! BTW, lots of great cruising guides out there with suggestions. One of the easiest (and is free!!) is the Active Captain website/app.

[GordMay]

Hatchet Bay is NOT a hurricane hole.
For instance, every boat (± 300) in the bay was lost during Hurricane Andrew (1992), and then again during Hurricane Floyd (1999).

[Tingum]

Abaco YachtService in Black Sound on Green Turtle Cay has one of the best tie down systems for hauled yachts that I have ever seen! There are also well protected moorings in both Black and White sounds.

[Tim L.]

To a point GordMay is correct in that the term "Hurricane Hole" is often overused. I am certainly guilty of that as well. However, both Andrew and Floyd moved directly over Eleuthera as Cat 4-5 storms and I would submit that few, if any boats on either moorings or anchored are going to survive such a hit. Hatchett Bay was "created" by the British as a storm anchorage and I would contend it is easily the most protected harbor north of Great Exuma and south of (possibly) Turtle Cay in the Abacos. It is where I would head if there was no way I was going to sail out of a storm's way! Secure the boat as best I can, ensure my insurance is paid up and pray!