Athol Island Anchorage
Athol Island · Nassau Harbour approach
25°04.74'N 77°16.08'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 0.8m tidal range requires adequate depth margin at anchor. Shoal patches in the channel area require careful positioning within the deeper water. Set anchor securely and confirm with engine test before leaving unattended.
About This Anchorage
Athol Island sits in the approach to Nassau Harbour — a small, mostly private island that creates a useful anchorage in the channel between it and New Providence's north shore. The anchorage offers the Bahamas' characteristic turquoise water and sand holding with easy access to Nassau for provisioning and customs. The island itself is private (formerly an oceanographic institute) but the surrounding waters are open. The anchorage benefits from good NE trade wind protection from the island mass while maintaining clear access to the harbour for dinghy runs. The 0.8m Nassau tidal range requires careful depth planning. Nassau's cruise ship traffic passes east of the anchorage — less wake than the main harbour but still audible in season.
Protected From
N · NE · NW
Exposed To
S · SE · SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring
- Permit required
- Yes — Cruising Permit ~$300/3 months
Restrictions: Cruising Permit required; Athol Island is private — do not land; maintain clear passage through the approach channel; 0.8m tidal range requires careful depth planning.
Hazards
- !Shoal patches in the approach channel — use charts carefully; the deeper route is well-defined but narrow
- !0.8m tidal range — anchor in adequate depth; check swing area at low tide
- !Southern exposure — any southerly wind component makes anchorage uncomfortable
- !Nassau Harbour approach traffic — commercial vessels using the harbour entrance pass close
Skipper's Tips
- →Athol Island is a good overnight stop when Nassau Harbour is too busy — quiet, good holding, and easy dinghy access to Nassau Yacht Haven
- →Use the rising tide to enter the channel — easier depth margin and can see the sandy bottom colour changes clearly in Bahamian water
- →The snorkelling off Athol Island's rocky shores is good — check the tidal current direction before jumping in
- →A weather anchor alarm of 80m is appropriate for normal conditions; tighten to 65m in calm settled weather to stay within the deeper channel water
Facilities
No facilities. Nassau Yacht Haven (3.5nm W by dinghy or sailing) has full marina facilities and provisioning access.
Nearest provisions: Nassau Yacht Haven (3.5nm W) (3.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
November–May. Useful staging anchorage between Nassau and Rose Island to the east. Good holding and reasonable NE trade protection.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
Nassau's 0.8m tidal range and cruise ship wake mean conditions change continuously. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position through every tide cycle — so you can explore Nassau with complete peace of mind.
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