Nassau area Anchorage

[janetc]

I'm looking for information on the West Bay anchorage on New Providence. Is it possible to lock your dinghy anywhere at Clifton Park? Can you land at Lyford Cay in the marina? Are there groceries and propane available nearby?
Thanks!

[AnchorageGuy]

Janetc, Right now Nassau and new Providence is not a very safe place for cruisers. I would recommend that if you plan on stopping for anything you use a marina and even then use extreme caution and LOCK EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME. See the post here from the Coastal Explorer site, One Cruiser’s Negative Experience in Nassau | Bahamas Chatter . Although this is only one report, we have had several serious reports that are coming out of Nassau. Chuck

[Kettlewell]

Chuck: Do you think it is worse than before? I can remember when I first went there back in the '80s we were hearing the same stories. When we went ashore we took off our watches, put our money in our socks, tried not to stay out after dark, etc. Somebody actually boarded my boat at night while we were in Yacht Haven marina, but I chased him off before he could get below. It was still a fun place to visit in a big Caribbean city sort of way.

[Cheechako]

Riding the bus in Nassau when there for only a few days, a traveler had her gold chain ripped from her neck just as she was entering the bus. The bus driver and another local ran him down to the ground and returned. If that is a statistical sample (not!) I would say it's not that safe.

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by Kettlewell

Chuck: Do you think it is worse than before? I can remember when I first went there back in the '80s we were hearing the same stories. When we went ashore we took off our watches, put our money in our socks, tried not to stay out after dark, etc. Somebody actually boarded my boat at night while we were in Yacht Haven marina, but I chased him off before he could get below. It was still a fun place to visit in a big Caribbean city sort of way.

Unfortunately it is much worse. Just today the BDF sent out a public announcement to women on how to protect themselves from rape because it has become epidemic. The murder rate is at an all time high and violent crime in Nassau seems to be out of control by Bahamian standards. Here is but one post from Bahamas Press , reports from other cruisers like the one posted on Explorer Charts website have become all too common. The outer islands don't seem to be having this problem although gang violence is on the increase in many larger cities and settlements. Chuck

[MarkJ]

I was in Nassau in March/April 2012 and anchored east of the main Cruise Ship Terminal, west of Potters Cay and used the dinghy docks of the Green Parrot/turtle/iguana resturant and the marina nearer the Terminal where the ex-America's Cup yachts are.

I had no trouble day or night by myself, on local busses and in the local suburban shopping mall.
Usually I do slip a small spray can of something in my pocket.

I certainly didnt feel any level of danger, and I didn't do much late night carousing with the locals. I enjoyed Nassau much more than I expected.

The Casino has a dinghy dock and that's a good one as you can dinghy back at night and not have to walk over the bridge.

By the way, I hear that there are small cans of Tear Gas in a GEL so it can be sprayed out of a hatch into the wind and won't come back at you. It's sticks to what it hits and works.
Bear spray, I hear, also comes in a Gel.

When in a taxi in any country it's good to lock the doors and have the windows wound up (and be watching the map!).

[Vasco]

If you run around Nassau with gold chains around your neck, it's likely that some guy will try and snatch it off you. Happens quite often but, for the average cruiser, Nassau has not changed much. Take the normal precautions and you'll be alright. As for anchoring, I think it's safer than it used to be. Have not heard many tales of boats being boarded in Nassau Harbour in the past few years.

Remember, Nassau is the place where most of the bad guys in the Bahamas end up. The settlements and peaceful out islands don't put up with them so they migrate to the big city.

[AnchorageGuy]

For John and others, here is the State Department report on crime in the Bahamas.
https://www.osac.gov/Pages/ContentRe...aspx?cid=12460
It's just my suggestion that cruisers might want to avoid Nassau in particular and possibly some of the other larger cities for now unless you have to. We will be crossing over in about a week or so ourselves, so we have considered all of this in our planning. Chuck

[capttman]

Any one been to St Thomas lately?? Hmmmm it's bad everywhere.....

[rover88]

I was in Nassau in May and July, anchored on the west end for several weeks. You can use the free dinghy dock at the Texaco next to Nassau Yacht Haven or motor down to the Green Parrot's larger dock (preferred).

When we were there the grocery store across the street near the Starbucks was closed but I was told it would reopen soon (remember "soon" is a relative term). Otherwise it's about a two mile hike to the nearest big store (hike there - taxi back). Holding is alleged to be poor in the west anchorage but I rode out several nasty storms with no trouble. Holding is supposed to be better by the Green Parrot, but it is often crowded.

As for security we had no issues and covered many miles on foot, though not after dark. A chain around your dink and motor is advised, as is pulling it up at night and locking the thing.

The locals are quick to tell you areas of town to avoid and common sense goes a long way. Affect the look of a scruffy sailor rather than a cruise ship tourist. Lock your boat when you leave.

Nassau can be a dangerous place for idiots who stagger to their boats shitfaced drunk at midnight - or engage in similar stupid behavior, but it's no different than any crime ridden major US city.

Just be smart, take reasonable precautions and enjoy. It's a neat place for a few day's wanderings, albeit a bit on the touristy side.

PM me if you'd like some more info. I was stuck there quite awhile due to weather.

[rognvald]

And just remember, the enlightened souls who paved our way to decency, civility and humanity and harshly criticized the French for their infamous penal colony at Devil's Island would surely find a far better way to handle crime in the Islands . . . Biscotti, a creamy latte Maschiotto, washed down with a well seasoned Jerez Amontillado . . . now that's some punishment for crime! Power to the people!