Explore: Great Exuma: George Town
General Info
Great Exuma, near the south end of the Exumas, is the largest island in the chain with a large harbour where more than 400 yachts usually congregate through the winter, culminating with the cruising regatta in March. This is the only port of entry in the Exuma chain and has an international airport. If you’re looking for company, George Town is the place to winter.
Position 23° 30.3’N, 75° 45.97’W (bay entrance, George Town).
Clearance
Review main Bahamas Clearance information.
On arrival call Elizabeth Harbour Harbourmaster on VHF 16 giving name of vessel, registration number, country of origin and last port of call. This also applies if already cleared in to the Bahamas. A VHF call to announce departure is also required.
Customs are now located in the building next to the fuel station, 2 minutes walk north of the Exuma Markets dinghy dock in Lake Victoria. Immigration is located at the south end of town, 5 mins walk from the Exuma Markets dinghy dock, in an office on the first floor of the block containing the Royal Bank.
Last updated: March 2017.
Docking
Once in front of Georgetown, you can drop the anchor almost everywhere except for the busy shipping channel that leads from the government dock to the north. The anchorage is very sheltered but the dinghy ride to town can get you very wet.
With the dinghy, you can enter Lake Victoria, where Exuma Markets provides a dinghy dock with easy access to the supermarket and other shops. On the opposite side, a smaller floating dock gives direct access to the fuel station.
Nearby Stocking Island has Volleyball Beach – the place where it all happens. You may use all the facilities as long as you buy your drinks and order your food at the bar “Chat ‘n Chill”. WiFi internet is available, you have to buy time-slots to log in. Kevalli House Marina & Cottages is situated here, offering short and long term storage and guardinage for yachts.
Emerald Bay Marina (12 Miles N. of Georgetown, Exumas) has now reopened and welcomes yachts. They have some ‘non-service’ slips that are cheaper if you are planning on leaving your boat here. Cruisers do warn about the surge here, however, so be sure to tie-up carefully and use chafe guards.
There are three marinas in George Town.
Two new developments, February Point Marina and Marina Village Crab Cay, have both stalled and are not open.
It is also possible to tie alongside the wall off Summers Quay for no charge.
See security warning in comments – October 2015.
Last updated: May 2018.
