Great Harbor Cay Marina
- Thread starter rnbenton
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When we were down there a couple of years ago this time, I wished we had decided to go straight to the Exumas. Great Harbour was a perfect example of the depressed economic environment that exists at various places in the islands (all of them in the Caribean).
There is almost nothing open at the marina. There is no fuel there, but there is a fuel dock just inside the harbour. I believe it is the town gas station. Back on the subject of the marina, the restaraunt was closed but it did open for some people. Would I eat there? No. Nor would I swim in the algae green pool.
Skip Great Harbour except if you need a break and have the fuel to do everything you need to do. It is not even a shadow of itself that existed years ago when the hotel on the island was hopping. BTW that is all over grown and collapsing.
Very sad.
If you have some activities in the area plan on being self sufficient. There must be places of interest for water based things like diving or fishing, but Great Harbour is not one of them unless you want to tie up and perhaps walk a beach possibly finding a place that has conch fritters (if you are lucky it might be open).
There is almost nothing open at the marina. There is no fuel there, but there is a fuel dock just inside the harbour. I believe it is the town gas station. Back on the subject of the marina, the restaraunt was closed but it did open for some people. Would I eat there? No. Nor would I swim in the algae green pool.
Skip Great Harbour except if you need a break and have the fuel to do everything you need to do. It is not even a shadow of itself that existed years ago when the hotel on the island was hopping. BTW that is all over grown and collapsing.
Very sad.
If you have some activities in the area plan on being self sufficient. There must be places of interest for water based things like diving or fishing, but Great Harbour is not one of them unless you want to tie up and perhaps walk a beach possibly finding a place that has conch fritters (if you are lucky it might be open).
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Thanks Dan. For fueling in the Berry's there's always Chub or Berry Island Club. I was just curious about Great Harbor Cay.
Yes, there are some really nice smaller islands in the Berry's for anchoring and snorkeling/diving/fishing.
In searching out information about great Harbor I found a lot of conflicting information so I thought I'd ask here.
Glad I did.
Bob
PS: I would guess the cruise ships no longer go there?
Yes, there are some really nice smaller islands in the Berry's for anchoring and snorkeling/diving/fishing.
In searching out information about great Harbor I found a lot of conflicting information so I thought I'd ask here.
Glad I did.
Bob
PS: I would guess the cruise ships no longer go there?
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No, actually the ships still do hit the North West island up there. Many locals are dependent on the water activity concessions there. We passed a couple of them on the way South to GH. We did not see anyone from the ships at the marina (town). Everything, everything except the marina was closed. The airport had some folks around but we did not even see a small grocery open. We met some folks that needed to re-up their papers at the airport and they were told the officers were on the cruise ships. I think they eventually were able to hook up that day but wow were they hurting. They had to drag their dink over shallow water to get there.
Don't get me wrong, the people there are happy to have you visit. It's a beautiful island and the beaches are great. Just don't expect things to be well kept. It's not because they don't want to. There just isn't enough demand to drive the business.
We left from Lucaya and made sure we had what we would need for a while. I'll suggest the same to anyone who wants to pass through here.
Don't get me wrong, the people there are happy to have you visit. It's a beautiful island and the beaches are great. Just don't expect things to be well kept. It's not because they don't want to. There just isn't enough demand to drive the business.
We left from Lucaya and made sure we had what we would need for a while. I'll suggest the same to anyone who wants to pass through here.
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BTW The Berry Island Club is no longer open for dockage. Do not go there. Been there, it sucked, will never go back. Mooring balls are not being maintained either.
Chub is a dead cat bouncing. But it's open and expensive. Not much there either. Mostly unfinished facilities.
Chub is a dead cat bouncing. But it's open and expensive. Not much there either. Mostly unfinished facilities.
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Maybe this has not been said directly, but go directly to the Exumas. That is where things are being maintained at a few places. Highbourne, Compass, Staniel, and to some extent, but not alot, Sampson. We did not go South past Staniel. Fuel is cheapest in Nassau, if you can round trip South and back to Nassau you are good to go. Otherwise, there is fuel available at some of the Exumas Cays but your wallet will burn your butt.
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Does Chub and Berry Island Club at least still have fuel? If Kurt and I decide to do the Exuma's fuel will a concern. I'm not sure what his range is but I know he has fairly small tanks. For me, not so much. I can throttle back to trawler speed and go a Looooong ways.
Bob
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Perhaps things are moving there (BIC). I just revisited their web site, and it was redone. I'd research the BIC carefully before going again. I am thinking if you can make it to the Berry's you can make it to Nassau (from Bimini). Chub should work for fuel (I hope).
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We didn't go to GHC last year but went a few times in 2009 and 2010... I like it!
Yes, it is quiet (some may call it dead) and it s a longish channel in. Btw cruise ships never went there but go to their own cays at the north end. The marina was under new management and they were trying... Friendly and helpful. Worth renting a golf cart and head out to the long beach on the east side and the sugar beach caves. Dockage was cheap ($1 I think...)
I recall having run out of eggs on that trip and none could be found on the island as the mail boat had not come in that week... When asked why they didn't have hens the locals said it s because hens are too loud. We ended up getting eggs from a people of a sailboats, trading them for Rum cake made with the eggs...
Weather permitting you can anchor in the bay on the east side behind petit cay, but not in any easterly blow!
They had fuel back in 09 and 10 but like everywhere in the Bahamas call ahead!
Indeed The restaurant was not worth it..
Further south, skip little harbor cay.. I know it s listed in many guides but Flo's is closed and the anchorage and beaches are well below average
Hoffman/White is worth a stop though. The entrance is easy and plenty of sheltered room to anchor. Quiet and peaceful, a few beaches and a trail to the Blue Hole. Worth ghe short hike. With boats your size, you should be able to come in at Fish Market and proceed on the west side of Hoffman. I ve anchored behind fish market/soldier, nice and deep and ok scenery wise but hoffman is nicer
Chub cay? Yuck! Unless you have a sportsfish and want to fish the drop off there, it s not worth it. $3 a ft for clean docks but not much else except their private beach which has GREAT sunsets. Save the dockage and anchor of the beach...
Fuel is a lot higher than Nassau so throttle back and make Nassau
BIC is closed afaik. Anchored off bird cay last year and dinghied by, there were some boats on moorings but not much else. Docks look very small. I like anchoring in the lee of bird, some nice exploring around by dinghy incl the ghost bungalows on bird, and the sandbars around cockroach cay.
The Berrys are nice if you only have a week out of Miami and don't have time to make it to he exumas. On the way to Nassau and the exumas, dropping the hook for a day or overnight off Bird or Chub makes for a nice stop. From the abacos, if you want to cut the run south, Hoffman is worth a stop.
But yes, check fuel availability on the phone, and price! The smaller islands are 0.50 to 0.75 higher than Nassau, which is usually about $1 higher than the US
I m planning 3 trips to the Exumas out of Nassau in the next couple of months. My favorite spots (also based on guest feedback) are Normans, Warderick wells, Staniel and Shroud. I ve been to Highborne and don't find it worth a stop and the dockage, not much there
I have never been to compass cay which I understand is nice.
Further north, I ve stopped at Allens cay, once. Not enough to see there to be worth going back. What i like about Normans, Warderick and Staniel is that there is so much to do/explore within just a few miles.
South of Staniel, the scenery changes with a little more elevation starting with the cay just south of Staniel (forgot the name..). On the downside for larger boats, further south you have to hop in the sound between cuts as the bank side is too skinny and it get a little rough.That said there are some great places like Rudder, rat, lee stocking with higher elevation giving them more of a Caribbean feel
A round trip to Staniel from Nassau is about 120nm and should be doable on a tank of somewhat reasonable Nassau fuel...
If I had to pick a place to spend 2 weeks anywhere in the world... It would be Staniel! I don't know why, there is something special about that place and the surrounding cays.
A couple of years ago, we did a wedding charter there, at the end of the dock right on the swim platform with nurse sharks and stingrays swimming around while the couple (a BE RO) said "I do".
Yes, it is quiet (some may call it dead) and it s a longish channel in. Btw cruise ships never went there but go to their own cays at the north end. The marina was under new management and they were trying... Friendly and helpful. Worth renting a golf cart and head out to the long beach on the east side and the sugar beach caves. Dockage was cheap ($1 I think...)
I recall having run out of eggs on that trip and none could be found on the island as the mail boat had not come in that week... When asked why they didn't have hens the locals said it s because hens are too loud
. We ended up getting eggs from a people of a sailboats, trading them for Rum cake made with the eggs...Weather permitting you can anchor in the bay on the east side behind petit cay, but not in any easterly blow!
They had fuel back in 09 and 10 but like everywhere in the Bahamas call ahead!
Indeed The restaurant was not worth it..
Further south, skip little harbor cay.. I know it s listed in many guides but Flo's is closed and the anchorage and beaches are well below average
Hoffman/White is worth a stop though. The entrance is easy and plenty of sheltered room to anchor. Quiet and peaceful, a few beaches and a trail to the Blue Hole. Worth ghe short hike. With boats your size, you should be able to come in at Fish Market and proceed on the west side of Hoffman. I ve anchored behind fish market/soldier, nice and deep and ok scenery wise but hoffman is nicer
Chub cay? Yuck! Unless you have a sportsfish and want to fish the drop off there, it s not worth it. $3 a ft for clean docks but not much else except their private beach which has GREAT sunsets. Save the dockage and anchor of the beach...
Fuel is a lot higher than Nassau so throttle back and make Nassau
BIC is closed afaik. Anchored off bird cay last year and dinghied by, there were some boats on moorings but not much else. Docks look very small. I like anchoring in the lee of bird, some nice exploring around by dinghy incl the ghost bungalows on bird, and the sandbars around cockroach cay.
The Berrys are nice if you only have a week out of Miami and don't have time to make it to he exumas. On the way to Nassau and the exumas, dropping the hook for a day or overnight off Bird or Chub makes for a nice stop. From the abacos, if you want to cut the run south, Hoffman is worth a stop.
But yes, check fuel availability on the phone, and price! The smaller islands are 0.50 to 0.75 higher than Nassau, which is usually about $1 higher than the US
I m planning 3 trips to the Exumas out of Nassau in the next couple of months. My favorite spots (also based on guest feedback) are Normans, Warderick wells, Staniel and Shroud. I ve been to Highborne and don't find it worth a stop and the dockage, not much there
I have never been to compass cay which I understand is nice.
Further north, I ve stopped at Allens cay, once. Not enough to see there to be worth going back. What i like about Normans, Warderick and Staniel is that there is so much to do/explore within just a few miles.
South of Staniel, the scenery changes with a little more elevation starting with the cay just south of Staniel (forgot the name..). On the downside for larger boats, further south you have to hop in the sound between cuts as the bank side is too skinny and it get a little rough.That said there are some great places like Rudder, rat, lee stocking with higher elevation giving them more of a Caribbean feel
A round trip to Staniel from Nassau is about 120nm and should be doable on a tank of somewhat reasonable Nassau fuel...
If I had to pick a place to spend 2 weeks anywhere in the world... It would be Staniel! I don't know why, there is something special about that place and the surrounding cays.
A couple of years ago, we did a wedding charter there, at the end of the dock right on the swim platform with nurse sharks and stingrays swimming around while the couple (a BE RO) said "I do".
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Two weeks at Staniel is a bit much unless you travel around to the surrounding cays. Come on now Pascal, you'd be out and about down there for sure.
We certainly agree the Exumas is a stretch for a vacation. The odds of the weather breaking the trip are high. Too many crossings of big water. Gulf Stream, North East Providence Channel to the Berries, running to Nassau etc.. Don't forget that the banks while shallow, can get very ugly as well.
I am on record for saying a trip to the Exumas on a limited schedule is a high risk bet. MANY boats better equipped than ours, waited as long as we did to cross the Gulf Stream this past Fall.
We certainly agree the Exumas is a stretch for a vacation. The odds of the weather breaking the trip are high. Too many crossings of big water. Gulf Stream, North East Providence Channel to the Berries, running to Nassau etc.. Don't forget that the banks while shallow, can get very ugly as well.
I am on record for saying a trip to the Exumas on a limited schedule is a high risk bet. MANY boats better equipped than ours, waited as long as we did to cross the Gulf Stream this past Fall.
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We stopped at Highborne two years ago, and i didn't find much there. The marina is nice, and the beach on the east side (a shirt walk over) is ok but nothing special. They have fuel but again much higher than Nassau
Staniel in the other hand has a ton to offer all within dinghy range from the sandbar maze behind Samson to the north to the cliff and beautiful beach on that cay just to the south. And those small cats to the west, plus big majors, and the rocky area in the east side. You could spend two weeks and never hit the same beach twice
The worst crossing to get there is the gulf stream to Bimini. After that, the bank to the Berrys is rarely bad. Yes, the 30nm crossing from Chub to Nassau can be a little choppy but not has bad as the stream. Same with the shorts exposed stretch out of Nassau before the the exumas. I think the run south from the abacos along the Berrys and to Nassau is more exposed and rougher over a longer stretch
Once you hit Norman's you re on the inside and while it can be exposed during a front it doesn't last as long and again nothing compared to the stream
That said, you really need 2 weeks minimum out of S Florida to do the exumas which is why the Berrys are worth considering for those who have a week to spend in the Bahamas. Miami (or FTL) - Bimini- chub - Hoffman - GHC - Bimini - Miami / FTL is actually a shorter distance than a round trip to key west.
Staniel in the other hand has a ton to offer all within dinghy range from the sandbar maze behind Samson to the north to the cliff and beautiful beach on that cay just to the south. And those small cats to the west, plus big majors, and the rocky area in the east side. You could spend two weeks and never hit the same beach twice
The worst crossing to get there is the gulf stream to Bimini. After that, the bank to the Berrys is rarely bad. Yes, the 30nm crossing from Chub to Nassau can be a little choppy but not has bad as the stream. Same with the shorts exposed stretch out of Nassau before the the exumas. I think the run south from the abacos along the Berrys and to Nassau is more exposed and rougher over a longer stretch
Once you hit Norman's you re on the inside and while it can be exposed during a front it doesn't last as long and again nothing compared to the stream
That said, you really need 2 weeks minimum out of S Florida to do the exumas which is why the Berrys are worth considering for those who have a week to spend in the Bahamas. Miami (or FTL) - Bimini- chub - Hoffman - GHC - Bimini - Miami / FTL is actually a shorter distance than a round trip to key west.
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quote:
Originally posted by mixman
Bob,
Are you going to print this out to take along or shall I?
I printed it out already.
Plus I printed out a couple of Pascal's threads from last year. He and Bill go there a lot and have really good, current information.Most of the places mentioned I've been to before but it's been a few years and, in the islands, things change dramatically and quickly. Best advice I've seen is from Pascal; "Call ahead".
Bob