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Our first stop in the Bahamas (this time) was Mayaguana (5) Abraham Bay, Mayaguana 22° 19.531’ north Abraham Bay is huge, nearly six miles long and 2.5 miles wide on the south side of Mayaguana Island. The west end is deeper. Holding is good in sand and coral. No wind protection. The reef provides surge protection unless seas are large. The bay is big enough to create its own wind driven waves. Beautifully clear water. Scary west entrance, but plenty deep. Follow guidebooks’ lat/longs. East end too shallow for us. Good diving (they say) off the reef. We don’t know what is ashore. It’s too far to dinghy to the dock that is too shallow for a dinghy motor at low tide. (6) Georgetown, Bahamas 23° 31’ north Maybe the availability of services is better at the height of the cruiser season, when many hundreds of boats anchor here, but we found the place both expensive (gasoline over $4/gal and diesel nearly $3/gal, when you can get it) and rather indifferent. Most of the time here, there has been no water available at the dock (although a bar sells it for 60-cents per gallon), no diesel fuel at the marina or adjacent gas station, no Internet access, and the town’s electricity has been out even more than usual. (7) The bay south of Black Point, Exumas 24° 04.77’ north A fine, remote spot with no services. Great beach, great holding, good wind/wave protection N through E through S. Be care of the 3.2 foot tidal range here, which can be greater in strong east winds. We found ourselves just touching bottom at 1:00 a.m. (8) Big Majors Spot 24° 10.9’ north Very popular large anchorage near Fowl Cay and Staniel Cay Yacht Club. Good holding in sand, 7.5 feet of clear water minimum close in. Good wave/wind protection except from SW through W to NW. Fuel, restaurants, some supplies and excellent snorkeling nearby. No water taxi to Staniel: dinghy ride can be wet. (7) Near Sampson Cay Marina 24° 12.59’ north Room for several boats to anchor just outside Sampson Cay Marina. Very good holding in 8 feet of clear water. Good wind/wave protection from N-NE-S. Very nice people and a small store at the marina. Internet access (including wireless), but it doesn’t always work. On the other hand, it’s free. (6) Outside Fresh Creek, Andros 24° 43.8’ north Very good holding in 8 feet of clear water between the town entrance and the barrier reef. Room for many boats. Moderate wave protection, no wind protection except west. Near Autec military testing headquarters. Check areas offshore for restrictions due to military activity. (1/8) Morgan’s Bluff, Andros 25 ° 10.364’ north No wind/wave protection from north, terrible holding anywhere in Morgan’s Bluff. If there is room, slip into the inner harbor pocket used by ferries and small freighters and suspend your boat near shore using lines from several directions (almost no anchor holding, and little room anyway). Excellent protection. Gasoline and diesel behind Willie’s Water Lounge. Tina’s Restaurant (owned by a woman named Rebecca) 300 meters south. No stores or groceries nearby. (8) Lake Worth, Florida 26° 45.4’ north Good wind/wave protection in this large anchorage with good holding and 10 foot depth. Note to cruisers arriving from outside the USA: no immigration facilities here. They made us go to the airport at Fort Pierce, to the north, to check in. Marinas in area can provide all services. Good ocean inlet, but watch tidal flow speed.
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