Seasonal· New Providence (Nassau)· Bahamas — North
Winter cold fronts and harbour surge (Nassau)
25° 5.2′ N · 77° 21.2′ W · approximate
From roughly December to March, cold fronts sweep in from the north-west every five to ten days, clocking the wind through south and west into a hard northerly; New Providence's north-shore anchorages and the western end of Nassau Harbour then take swell and surge.
Practical
Pin is the Nassau Harbour west entrance (generic). Frequency: fronts arrive from the north-west every 5-10 days January to March (Yacht Warriors, Exumas conditions). Exposed in northerlies: Junkanoo Beach (constant roll in northerlies, and anchoring there is no longer allowed), Cable Beach and Delaporte Bay (ever-present swell; Cable Beach East has more surge protection than Cable Beach), Long Cay (small swell wraps over the reef), and the Paradise Island (The Cloister) anchorage, which is also hit by current and wake. Where boats ride fronts out: Athol Island South (protected W through N, a recognised front anchorage), Salt Cay Southwest (a 2021 crew rode out 50 knots on two anchors), Rose Island South (good holding in northerlies), Southwest Bay at Albany (protected NW through E; a 2020 boat held two days in 20+ knots), and the north side of Clifton Bay close to the beach (not a heavy-weather spot). The western-harbour anchorage has a hard bar with very poor holding; do not leave the boat there unattended in a front. Better still, take a slip in the inner harbour for the blow. The west entrance itself is deep (39-45 ft) and well marked, but call Nassau Harbour Control on VHF 16 before entering in any conditions. See also Hurricane season (New Providence).
Best for
Picking the right anchorage before a norther
Season
December to March, peak January to March