Best Spot in the Abacos - S&W Protection

[clamshack]

Any tips? The north side of the chain would be better. It looks like Pensacola Cay might have some on the Atlantic side. Does anyone have experience with that spot?

[Meandercp]

Yes, I stayed there for a couple days waiting out a front. There is a beach and not much else, but good protection until the wind goes north. Not too hard to get out if that happens. Lots of space and you can pick your depth.

Other anchorages include the North west corner of Manjack (Nunjack), Double Breasted and Grand Cay if there is space (there never seems to be space for me).

[s/v Jedi]

You can find protection for about every wind direction here… just move around a bit when needed.

[Tin Tin]

Most of those anchorages that are on the north to east side in barrier islands are subject to ocean swells that come over the shallow reefs at high tide and wrap around what look like good anchorages on paper, for example North Manjack - perfect place in perfect weather though. There are far more harbors on the southern side for 360 protection. When the wind clocks S W NW N it can be quite violent so need to be confident weather is settled, or be prepared to move - not easy at night in some places. We have sat out SW W winds on the open beaches of Great Abaco and when the wind clocked north - NE we would go to Manjack/ Crab cay, no obstacles between the two. Little Grand Cay has reasonable wind protection but holding is spotty in places, it is one of the rare places our Rocna dragged with a tide and wind change..

[Lowcountry]

What about White Sound, GTC?

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Lowcountry

What about White Sound, GTC?

Wehave stayed at anchor during some wild weather in that area, incl. thunderstorms with 70kts wind. All mayhem happened in White Sound and only one motorboat dragged outside.

At the Manjack / Crab Key anchorage we even just stay there during fronts passing by. Yes you get some chop but not enough for us to move to the lee of Abaco.

When you choose a spot wisely, Manjack will offer protection once the wind clocks north of 300 degrees.

[Wolfe10]

And, just south of Whale is the old Treasure Cay anchorage/mooring field. Totally protected from 360 degrees.


Probably would not trust any moorings unless you dive to verify. But, plenty of room to anchor a number of boats.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Wolfe10

And, just south of Whale is the old Treasure Cay anchorage/mooring field. Totally protected from 360 degrees.

Probably would not trust any moorings unless you dive to verify. But, plenty of room to anchor a number of boats.

Where exactly do you mean? Whale and Treasure Cays are separated by a reasonable amount of open water with the “don’t rock” passage.

[Wolfe10]

Yup, Treasure is immediately south of Whale Cay so "out and around".


Don't do Whale Cay Passage without checking on weather/seas first. And, slack tide is preferred.



But, as the OP asked about protection from winds from the South and West, likely Whale Cay "out and around" will be OK.


And, yes, we always go out and around, not the route inside of Whale.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Wolfe10

Yup, Treasure is immediately south of Whale Cay so "out and around".


Don't do Whale Cay Passage without checking on weather/seas first. And, slack tide is preferred.



But, as the OP asked about protection from winds from the South and West, likely Whale Cay "out and around" will be OK.


And, yes, we always go out and around, not the route inside of Whale.

I mean where exactly do you recommend anchoring there? You mentioned an old mooring field?

[Wolfe10]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

I mean where exactly do you recommend anchoring there? You mentioned an old mooring field?

The open area straight east of Clipper Cay on this map:


https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tr...6zL20vMGRzczBj


It was Treasure Cay's mooring field/anchorage for the many decades we visited there.


My brother anchored there in his sailboat a week ago and all was fine.

[s/v Jedi]

Yes, that’s the same field I had in mind. I was thinking that maybe there was another one on the outside when you wrote “south of Whale Cay”

I have a bit of chart attached, showing our anchoring circle for windy conditions (60’ of chain out and 64’ boat)

This will give an idea of how many boats fit in there at anchor. Some boats still use moorings there (fixed and maintain them themselves)

[Wolfe10]

Yup, if we are south of Whale Cay that Treasure Cay anchorage is one of our "go to" places with bad weather approaching, as it is protected through 360 degrees.


Another is Man-O-War.


North of Whale Cay, Green Turtle.


Weathered storms in "all the above" over the years.

[clamshack]

Have you guys tried off Cooper's Town for the West component?

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by clamshack

Have you guys tried off Cooper's Town for the West component?

I have anchored at several spots along that coast and it’s fine. Quite a bit of current but never had a problem.