Great Guana Cay

Known for its expansive white-sand beach on the Atlantic side, Great Guana Cay is sparsely populated with few stores or restaurants. It’s an incredibly scenic island, one that will inspire you to return for more fun. Anchor off in Fisher’s Bay and enjoy a beautiful sunset, or head to shore for some of the popular refreshments like the blaster in Grabbers or the Nipper on the other side of the island. 

Mooring

Moorings are available for a fee through Dive Guana in Settlement Harbor. Orchid bay Marina is found at the same place, with all facilities Both of these harbors are near the village and the few stores and restaurants. The best anchorage is in Fisher’s Bay. Just North of Settlement Harbour. Bakers bay in the North has a great anchorage, but the activities are restricted to the beach, as the rest of property inland is private. 

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available at Fisher’s Bay.

Things to do

Dive Guana is a full-service dive shop that also rents out bikes. There are several restaurants, including the famous Grabbers Bar & Grill, or Nipper’s. From Baker’s bay, venture to Spoil Cay with a dinghy for shell collecting and exploring. 

Facilities

Dockage is available at Orchid Bay Marina on the south side of Settlement Harbor. Provisions are available in town.

Spanish Cay

Spanish Cay yachting is the essence of luxury at this private resort island. There are many amenities and three great beaches.

The day’s sailing

• 2 Hr Sailing time
• 28 Nautical miles

Mooring

Marina and anchorages available

Dinghy dockage: No dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

Full-service marina

Facilities

Dockage, full electric hook-ups, and fuel are available.

Moraine Cay

Cruising in Moraine Cay waters takes you out beyond Great Abaco Island to the incredibly beautiful cays and reefs north of Little Abaco. It’s isolated, scenic, and serene in this tropical paradise. Moraine Cay is perched atop the reef system and is vaguely reminiscent of the South Pacific. You’ll definitely get a good sense of the “Out Islands” and why they are so popular.

The day’s sailing

• 1 Hr 4 mins Sailing time
• 15 Nautical miles

Mooring

 

No moorings are available. The only anchorage is in a small nook at the south end of the island, sheltered only from the northwesterly winds. 

Dinghy dockage: No dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

The snorkelling off the east end of Moraine Cay is spectacular over coral gardens teeming with colourful tropical fish, and there’s a beautiful beach at the anchorage ideal for swimming and beachcombing. 

Facilities

No facilities for yachts are available.

Green Turtle Cay

New Plymouth, the quaint village on Green Turtle Cay, is the epitome of Bahamian charm with its narrow streets, white picket fences, and brightly painted buildings. First settled in 1783, at the end of the American Revolution, it grew into the second largest city in the Bahamas by the 1800s. Now it’s known for its shops, restaurants, and historic sites popular among boaters, making New Plymouth yachting a delight. The main harbour is White Sound.

The day’s sailing

• 1 Hr Sailing time
• 5 Nautical miles

Mooring

There are moorings available in White Sound, as well as marina facilities – Green Turtle Club and Bluff House marina. Anchorages exist off of New Plymouth and outside of White Sound and Cocoa bay. Holding is poor in Black Sound, but there are mooring buoys and a marina available. 

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

The Green Turtle Club in White Sound is highly recommended. New Plymouth is great for sightseeing, museum visiting and restaurants. 

Facilities

Dockage, fuel, water, ice, showers, provisions, and are available. Rent gold carts or bicycles, visit museums. 

Treasure Cay

Treasure Cay was developed as a resort in the 1950s, the first of its kind in the Abacos.Famous for its beautiful crescent-shaped, white-sand beach ideal for swimming and sunbathing.

The day’s sailing

• 42 mins Sailing time
• 10 Nautical miles

Mooring

Mooring balls are available, anchorage space is limited. 

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

The 3-plus-mile white-sand beach is the main attraction at Treasure Cay, where you can swim, or sunbathe. There is a local restaurant on the north end of the beach.

Settlement Harbour

Cruising in Settlement Harbour waters brings you to the southern end of Great Guana Cay, where you’ll find a number of attractions within an easy walk from your luxury yacht that you can’t easily reach from Bakers Bay at the northwest end of the island. Although it is still a sleepy hamlet, Settlement Harbour has undergone development in recent years, boosting its popularity as a great place to visit during your charter.

The day’s sailing

• 47 mins Sailing time
• 11 Nautical miles

Mooring

Mooring balls are available for a fee through Dive Guana in Settlement Harbour, there is the Orchard Bay Marina. You can anchor in Fishers Bay. 

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available in Fishers Bay and there is a public dock in Settlement Harbour.

Things to do

A popular attraction of Settlement Harbour cruising is the chance to dine out at one of the restaurants. Nipper’s Beach Bar & Grill is just a short walk from your yacht. Perched on high sand dunes on the ocean side of the island, the views from Nipper’s are truly spectacular as you watch the swells break on the outer reef. Other restaurants worthy of a visit are Orchid Bay Restaurant, and Grabbers Bar & Grill. They all serve good food. Dive Guana is a full-service dive shop and offers bicycle rentals, so you can take a tour of the island to see the sights.

Facilities

Dockage is available at Orchid Bay Marina on the south side of Settlement Harbour. Some provisions are available in town.

Elbow Cay

Elbow Cay has much to offer cruisers, including historic Hope Town, White Sound, and Tahiti Beach. Snorkeling, and fine dining are all popular pastimes. Yachting in Tahiti Beach waters is a highlight of cruising to Elbow Cay.

The day’s sailing

• 51 mins Sailing time
• 12 Nautical miles

Mooring

Mooring slips in marinas in Hope Town are available and can be reserved in advance of your arrival. No anchorage is available in Hope Town Harbour. There’s an anchorage off Tahiti Beach

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available in Hope Town.

Things to do

The Wyannie Malone Museum is named for Hope Town’s founder, Wyannie Malone, who fled her home in South Carolina because of the American Revolution. She began the settlement of Hope Town with fellow refugees in 1785. The museum is a fascinating homage to this turbulent time in British and American history, which helped give the Bahamas part of its unique character. Naturally, a climb to the top of Elbow Reef Lighthouse is a must; the views are extraordinarily beautiful. There are a number of eclectic shops. Restaurants include Cap’n Jacks, On Da Beach Restaurant, Firefly Bar and Grill and Bridget’s Rum Bar & Restaurant.  At White Sound, you’ll find the casual elegance of the Abaco Inn and the Boat House Restaurant.

Facilities

Dockage is available in Hope Town and White Sound. Fuel, water, ice, provisions, Internet access, and golf cart rentals are available.