Anchoring in the Exumas

[Clarjr01]

We’ll be cruising the Exumas for approximately two weeks and wondered what the best practices / locations were for anchoring with a strong wind out of the west? We were considering just finding a protected sand area on the east side of an island, but I was noticing there was no recommended good anchorages on navionics for that side of the islands, which has me concerned.

[steamgoat]

Cambridge/Bell island is a nice spot

[Hudson Force]

Georgetown is one of the most popular cruising destinations in the Exumas with the approach largely protected from the west. We often selected the area west of Red Shank Cay with the two Devine Cays to the west and northwest. At the north end of the Exumas you might find good shelter at Highborne Cay; however, I don't know about current space available or the status of the marina now. My advice is becoming outdated as I'm no longer cruising.

[steamgoat]

Also you may get lucky enough to get a mooring ball in Warderick Wells,awesome spot, also the HQ of the land and sea park who maintain many rugged moorings in the area.

[MicHughV]

Depends on where you are.
As noted above, GT and WW offer some spots, as does around Staniel Cay, just to the north of town.
Several other places as well.

Two weeks is not a whole lot of time to be traipsing around. The weather will really dictate when and where you are likely to go.

If you are chartering, the charter company will give you recommendations.

[ElGordo]

I will refer you to another forum where there is an excellent write up of exploring the Exumas. You will likely have to register to see the submission, but probably worth it given the detail.

https://www.yachtforums.com/feature/...-exumas.35786/

[Clarjr01]

Thank you for all the replies and suggestions. I’ve made notes of all of them. Is there any reason you wouldn’t anchor on the Sound side?I assume probably the swell?

[Kettlewell]

There are many spots on the west side of the islands you can get decent shelter from the west to northwest to northeast, which is what you get in a frontal passage. Often the worst part of the blow is from the northwest to northeast, so you'll want shelter from that quadrant. It is often difficult to get to the east side of the cays due to shallows, coral, etc., and you don't want to be caught over there when it blows hard from the northeast.

[The Boat Galley]

Our Quick Reference Cruising Guides are designed to answer exactly this type of question. Here's a page from the Anchoring section of the Bahamas guide, with the check marks showing the protection directions for every anchorage, along with holding, current, swell, and dog-walking potential.



Our guides also cover services, haulouts, cuts and more, in the same table format so you know exactly where to go to find what you need.

https://products.theboatgalley.com/p...cruising-guide