Anchorage· Mangrove Cay· Bahamas — North

Mangrove Cay (Little Bahama Bank)

26° 55.2′ N · 78° 37.4′ W

A tiny mangrove islet in the middle of the Little Bahama Bank, the usual first-night anchorage after crossing from Lake Worth or Fort Pierce via Memory Rock or after clearing at West End and coming through Indian Rock Passage. There is nothing ashore, but the holding is excellent and it splits the crossing to Great Sale Cay.

AbacosNassau & the Berry Islands

Practical

ActiveCaptain position (west side). Depths and holding: 8 ft with good sand holding almost everywhere around the cay; a 2023 crew in the east-side anchorage (see 'Mangrove Cay Anchorage (East)') had about 8 ft and good holding with an all-chain Rocna in settled weather. Anchor on whichever side gives a lee, as close in as depth allows; the cay blocks waves but not much wind. The current runs about 1 kt south on the flood on the west side, less on the ebb. Distances (derived from the ActiveCaptain positions): about 18 nm from Indian Rock Passage off West End, about 26 nm from the south-of-Memory-Rock entry, about 22 nm on to Great Sale Cay, and about 39 nm east to the Cave and Cashs Cays (a straight shot reviewers suggest as an alternative to Great Sale). Approach south of the pole and at least 100 yards west of the island, watching depth (boats over 7 ft draft may prefer the deeper water to the north). Mud flats surround the cay at low tide and there is no practical landing, even for dogs. Show an anchor light: it is a high-traffic route at night. A small Piper wreck was reported awash at low tide on the ESE side (2011), but later visitors couldn't find it. Handy to leave around 3 am to reach the Gulf Stream at dawn. Main reports 2011-2017, plus a 2023 east-side note. See passages: Indian Rock Passage, Memory Rock (south) entry, Little Bahama Bank crossing.

Best for

First or last night on the bank when crossing to or from Florida

Season

Year-round in settled weather; exposed to wind from every direction

Nearby