Nassau Harbour Main Anchorage
Nassau Western Anchorage · Nassau Harbour anchorage
25°04.92'N 77°20.52'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m for good holding on sand/mud in 3–8m. Nassau's 0.8m tidal range means boats swing on anchor — allow generous radius. Cruise ship wake causes continuous surge; a well-set anchor with adequate scope (5:1 minimum in 5m) is essential. Do not anchor less than 80m from the dredged cruise ship channel. If a norther is forecast (30–40kt N), move to Montagu Bay or an enclosed marina immediately.
About This Anchorage
Nassau Harbour is the capital's commercial heart — one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, receiving 5–7 mega-ships daily during the winter season. The main anchorage area lies north of the cruise ship channel near the Paradise Island bridge. While holding in sand and mud is generally good, this anchorage is subject to constant ship wake, ferry traffic, water taxis, and the general noise of a busy commercial port. It is, however, superbly convenient for provisioning, customs clearance, and exploring Nassau's historic downtown. Nassau Yacht Haven marina (VHF 16) lies to the east and offers berths, fuel, water, and laundry. Downtown Nassau is 10 minutes by dinghy — Bay Street, the Straw Market, the Queens Staircase, and Fort Charlotte are all within walking distance. The Bahamas National Trust office is also downtown for park permits. With the Bahamas' 0.8m tidal range, plan anchor depth at high tide and allow for the drop.
Protected From
S · SE · SW · W
Exposed To
N · NW · NE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in harbour; Nassau Yacht Haven marina berths ~$2–3/ft/night
- Permit required
- Yes — Cruising Permit ~$300/3 months
- Permit details
- Cruising Permit ~$300 for 3 months (up to 10 people). Departure tax BSD $25/person. Fish & Wildlife permit $20 extra if fishing.
Restrictions: Customs and immigration mandatory on arrival — Nassau is the main Bahamian port of entry; Q flag until cleared; Cruising Permit required (~$300/3 months); do not anchor in dredged cruise ship channel; give absolute right of way to cruise ships; harbour speed limit 5 knots.
Hazards
- !Cruise ship wake — 5–7 ships daily create continuous large wake; anchor must be extremely well set
- !Tidal current 1–2kt in harbour entrance — factor into anchoring scope and swing radius
- !0.8m tidal range — anchor depth at high tide; allow for tide drop; recheck holding after low tide
- !Main dredged channel — absolute exclusion zone for anchoring; cruise ships and ferries give no quarter
- !Northers (Nov–Apr) — 30–40kt N winds can develop within hours; monitor forecasts closely
- !Dinghy theft reported in downtown Nassau dinghy docks — lock outboard and use official dinghy dock
Skipper's Tips
- →Clear customs at the cruise terminal immigration office as soon as you arrive — the customs and immigration officers expect yachts to check in promptly
- →Nassau Yacht Haven (VHF 16) on the south side of the harbour has the best facilities — fuel, water, laundry, showers, and WiFi
- →The 0.8m tidal range is more than most Caribbean sailors expect — anchor in 5m at high tide to ensure 4.2m at low water with room to spare
- →Bay Street supermarket (Solomon's Fresh Market) and City Market are the best provisioning options in Nassau
- →If a norther is forecast, move to Nassau Yacht Haven or Montagu Bay immediately — the main harbour is exposed to 30+ kt N winds
Facilities
Nassau has extensive restaurants and provisioning. Atlantis resort (Paradise Island) has multiple restaurants. Downtown: numerous local Bahamian restaurants, fast food, supermarkets. Nassau Yacht Haven has a dockside restaurant and bar.
Nearest provisions: Nassau downtown (Solomon's Fresh Market, City Market) (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
November–May (winter cruising season). Peak traffic December–March. Hurricane season June–November — leave Bahamas by late May. Northers November–April require constant weather monitoring.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 90m
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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