Anchoring off of Gun or Cat Cay

[Wind Buddy]

We are crossing sometime next week from Key Largo to Cat/Gun Cay. We don't want to take a slip at Cat or go into Bimini so might want to anchor in the area of Gun/Cat Cay for one night before crossing the bank. Anyone had experience with anchoring in this area? Any good or bad experiences?

[roberttigar]

We have anchored on both sides of Gun Cay-outside and inside. Both are fine holding. Suggest you avoid Honeymoon harbor as it seems to be sand over coral. You may think you are firm but could break loose as the wind shifts or increases. Bob

[exkma367]

We had our worst rolly night at Gun on the west side. Was nice when we dropped the hook but started building after we went to bed. We were rail to rail in the middle of the night. I bridled the anchor and winched her around.

The next day we slid into Honeymoon harbor. We had no problem with the holding at Honeymoon but it was not blowing. Snorkeling around the big coral between Gun and Honeymoon we found a ledge we call the Lobster Store. The shelf was always stocked.

[the_alpine]

The southwest corner of north cat cay has a nice cove if wind is easterly. The bottom is mixed grass and sand, so double check the hook, but a very comfy place to relax. The anchorage is called citrus haven on activecaptain.com.

[appick]

Oh man both a GUN and ANCHOR thread! Duck and cover!

[neilpride]

Good holding in sand , stay away from the beach close to the lighthouse , find a spot far away in the bank, i anchor there several times, 1 in a strong cold front and the others in nice weather ....

[Dave852]

Ocean side of gunn or cat is nice, bank side of gunn if it's not blowing too bad. Avoid honeymoon as all the day trippers from Miami will be in there with their anchor poorly set in the grass. You can also anchor south of s Bimini (nixons harbor?) depending on your draft.

[CSY Man]

Avoid Honeymoon, you may hold good in benign conditions but when a squall kicks up at 02:00 you will be sorry.

Been there done that, no more.

The public anchorage next to the airport is pretty convenient, shopping, bar, restaurant, etc. Also good holding, spent 3 days in a gale there.