Staniel Cay
Staniel Cay Yacht Club anchorage · Thunderball Grotto anchorage
24°10.08'N 76°26.28'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 0.8–1.0m Exuma tidal range requires depth planning — the bank shallows noticeably at low water. Staniel Cay Cut (the pass from Exuma Sound to the bank) requires careful timing — enter at slack water or with the flood for first-time visitors.
About This Anchorage
Staniel Cay is the hub of the northern Exuma Cays — the best-equipped stop between Nassau and George Town. Staniel Cay Yacht Club (founded 1956) offers fuel (diesel and gas), fresh water, ice, provisions, an excellent restaurant, bar, VHF 16 monitoring, and wifi. The moorings and anchorage north of the club fill quickly December–March. Thunderball Grotto — a dramatic sea cave at the south end of the cay, used in the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball and subsequently in Never Say Never Again — is one of the finest snorkelling sites in the Bahamas. The cave is accessible by swimming or dinghy at low to mid-tide; strong tidal current at high water makes entry dangerous. The Exuma Sound side of Staniel Cay offers diving. The 0.8–1.0m tidal range is critical for both the anchorage depth and Thunderball Grotto access timing.
Protected From
E · S · SW · W
Exposed To
N · NE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring
- Permitted in sand
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in approach area; yacht club moorings ~$20/night; fuel and facilities at club.
- Permit required
- Yes — Cruising Permit ~$300/3 months
Restrictions: Cruising Permit required; Staniel Cay Cut from Exuma Sound to bank — enter at or near slack water; tidal current up to 3kt in cut; no entry to Thunderball Grotto at high water (strong current through cave entrance); no spearfishing around the grotto.
Hazards
- !Thunderball Grotto high-water danger — strong tidal current through the cave entrance at high water; visit at low to mid-tide only
- !Staniel Cay Cut tidal current 2–3kt — time passage through the cut at or near slack water
- !0.8–1.0m tidal range — bank shallows significantly at low water; draft 1.6m is practical limit
- !Crowded anchorage in peak season — set anchor firmly and use appropriate alarm radius; no room for dragging
- !Fuel dock can be very busy on weekends — arrive early or call ahead on VHF 16
Skipper's Tips
- →Visit Thunderball Grotto at exactly low tide — the cave entrance is largest, the current is slack, and the light shafts through the ceiling holes are spectacular
- →Staniel Cay Yacht Club (VHF 16) monitors continuously — call ahead for mooring availability and fuel dock timing
- →The 0.8m tidal range makes the anchorage colour change dramatically during the day — shallower areas show brilliant white sand at low water
- →Pig Beach (Big Major Cay) is 0.8nm north by dinghy — go early morning before the tour boats arrive
- →Compass Cay (nurse sharks, 4nm N) is an easy upwind dinghy or short sail — plan a full Exumas day from Staniel Cay
Facilities
Staniel Cay Yacht Club restaurant and bar — popular gathering place for cruisers; Thunderball Bar serves lunch and dinner; Pink Pearl restaurant nearby. Provisions available at the club store. Best-stocked provisioning stop between Nassau and George Town.
Nearest provisions: Staniel Cay Yacht Club store (0.1nm) (0.1nm)
Best Months & Season
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
November–May. The central hub of the Exuma Cays. Always crowded December–March — arrive before noon for a mooring. April–May excellent and quieter.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
The Exumas' 0.8–1.0m tidal range and extremely shallow banks make anchor alarm monitoring essential — even a small drag on the Exuma Bank can leave you aground. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors continuously through every tidal cycle.
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