Great Guana Cay (Nipper's)
Nipper's Beach Bar anchorage · Great Guana Cay ocean side
26°40.08'N 77°07.80'W
Depth
2–5m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m for good holding on sand in 2–5m. The 0.6–0.8m Abacos tidal range requires adequate depth planning. This anchorage and the Grabbers anchorage (same cay) share the same harbour area — position carefully to maintain swinging room from both the settlement dock and other anchored vessels.
About This Anchorage
Great Guana Cay's ocean-side Nipper's Beach Bar is one of the Abacos' most spectacular settings — perched on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic with a hillside pool, panoramic ocean views, and the famous Sunday pig roast parties that draw boats from throughout the Abacos chain. The Atlantic-facing location means Nipper's has a completely different character from Grabbers on the harbour side — the ocean energy, breaking waves on the reef below, and open-horizon views create a dramatic setting for what is otherwise a classic Bahamian beach bar experience. The anchorage is on the harbour (Sea of Abaco) side — access to Nipper's is by 10-minute walk over the cay or by dinghy around the south point in calm conditions. The Sunday pool parties are legendary in Abacos sailing circles.
Protected From
E · NE · N · S · SE
Exposed To
W · NW · SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring
- Permit required
- Yes — Cruising Permit ~$300/3 months
Restrictions: Cruising Permit required; shared harbour with Grabbers anchorage — coordinate positioning carefully; do not anchor in the settlement dock approach channel; dinghy around the south point to ocean side in calm conditions only.
Hazards
- !Shared harbour with Grabbers anchorage — coordinate carefully with other anchored vessels for swinging room
- !0.6–0.8m tidal range — adequate depth planning required in harbour
- !Dinghy route to Nipper's around south point — only attempt in calm conditions; the ocean side can have breaking swell
- !Sunday powerboat armada from Marsh Harbour — heavy traffic and wake in harbour on Sunday afternoons
Skipper's Tips
- →Nipper's Sunday pig roast starts at noon — secure your anchorage by 09:00 and walk over early to claim pool chairs
- →The walk over the cay to Nipper's takes 10 minutes — the contrast between the calm harbour side and the open Atlantic ocean side is striking
- →The pool at Nipper's overlooks the open Atlantic ocean — one of the finest views from any bar in the Bahamas
- →After Nipper's, walk back to the harbour side for Grabbers' happy hour — the combination of both bars makes for a memorable Great Guana Cay day
Facilities
Nipper's Beach Bar (ocean side) — famous Sunday pig roast and pool parties; panoramic Atlantic views; frozen drinks and fresh seafood. Walk over the cay (10 min) or dinghy around the south point. Grabbers Beach Bar (harbour side, adjacent anchorage).
Nearest provisions: Marsh Harbour Maxwell's Supermarket (6nm S) (6nm)
Best Months & Season
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
November–May. The Nipper's Sunday pool party is the social highlight of the Abacos mid-cays. Best weekdays for quiet anchorage. Sundays are the main event.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
The Abacos' tidal range and winter northers make anchor monitoring essential. Safety Anchor Alarm watches your GPS position continuously — so you can enjoy Grabbers, Nipper's, and Miss Emily's Goombay Smash with complete peace of mind.
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