Anchorage· New Providence (Nassau)· Bahamas — North

Nassau Harbour Western Anchorage

25° 4.8′ N · 77° 20.2′ W · approximate

The main inside anchorage of Nassau Harbour: the sheltered water between the cruise-ship terminal and Potter's Cay, with Paradise Island blocking the ocean and downtown Bay Street a dinghy ride away. It is all-round protected, but busy, wake-rolled and current-swept.

Practical

Waterway Guide position N 25°04.844' W 077°20.153'; depths 8-15 ft, tide range about 2-2.5 ft. Good holding in sand, but a long hard bar runs down the middle of the anchorage with very poor holding, especially along its south side in front of Bay Street Marina; do not anchor on it unless a competent person stays aboard. Best holding is between the cruise-ship docks and the bar's west end, and between the bar's east end and Potter's Cay; if full, the north side of the bar in more than 12 ft is a fallback. Strong reversing tidal currents and heavy daytime wakes. Call Nassau Harbour Control on VHF 16 before entering, leaving or moving within the harbour. Shore access is difficult: pay for dinghy dockage at a marina (Bay Street Marina takes dinghies for a fee) and lock the dinghy. Pet relief ashore at Bay Street Marina for a fee. Approach from the west through the harbour entrance, or from the east under the two 72 ft bridges and past Potter's Cay. A sunken boat lies at about 25.07941, -77.32851 in roughly 18 ft (still there February 2025) and a spoil area near 25.08073, -77.33203 snags anchors; do not anchor in the commercial channel, which tugs and freighters use at all hours.

Best for

Cheapest overnight in town for provisioning and a downtown run

Season

Year-round; currents and wakes every day

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