Bahamas Safe Anchorages, Currents & Moorings #boating #sailing
Planning to anchor in the Bahamas? In this quick cruising guide segment, we break down the three main types of Bahamian anchorages—protected holes, leeward beaches, and current‑swept cuts—and when each one is safe (or sketchy) for the night. You’ll also learn when to use a Bahamian mooring, what to expect from local mooring balls, and how marinas like Abaco Beach Resort fit into a Bahamas cruising plan. Transcript: When you're looking at charts, you'll find three main styles of anchorage. Picking the wrong one for the night's forecast is a classic rookie move. First, the protected hole. These are 360 degree spots like Little Harbour. Total protection, but they get crowded. Second, the leeward beach. Your classic postcard spot. Great in the Easterly trades, but if a Norther blows through the beach becomes a dangerous leeshore and you need to leave. Third, the current sweep cut. Many Exumas spots are in narrow channels. The water is gorgeous but the current can rip at 4 knots. You'll often need a Bahamian mooring. That's two anchors, set in opposite directions, to prevent you from swinging into your neighbors. Anchoring is permitted in most areas once your cruising permit is in place. Holding is often good sand, so set well and back down properly because the winds love to shift at 2am. Mooring balls are common in parks and busy harbors where anchoring can damage coral or crowd the seabed. Expect to pay 20 to 50 USD per night, depending on the location and boat size. Always inspect the line and hardware before trusting it. Now if you're looking for a break from the salt, the Bahamas has some world‑class spots to tie up. A perfect example is the Abaco Beach Resort Marina in the heart of Marsh Harbour. It's a great home base with a full resort, and restaurants right on site.