Matthew Town - General Info
Description:
If you love nature, Great Inagua is the island to visit. For many years, the Bahamas National Trust has managed more than half the island as a national park, created to bring back the flamingo population from the brink of extinction. Two full-time wardens have been successful in building the population to many thousands of flamingos. At the same time, many other species of birds have benefited from these efforts. The park wardens will be happy to arrange a field trip on request.
About 2500 people and 100,000 flamingos live on the island. The only industry is salt production and the island can export up to 6000 tonnes a day.
Little Inagua is uninhabited and, it is hoped, will soon become a national park.
See the report on a cruiser’s visit to Great Inagua in August 2012.
Entrance Notes or Cautions:
The docks are heavily built with many deep pilings which are used for tie ups.
Note: most charts have NOT updated the entry, so daylight entry only.
Position:
20° 57.45’N, 73° 40.84’W (harbour entrance)
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Related to following destinations: Bahamas, Great Inagua, Matthew Town
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We were in Great Inagua beginning of February. It is a great place. We came in at night and anchored in front of the airport, in front of the big “BURIED CABLE” sign (Waypoint 20 58.28 N, 73 40.78 W). Very fine sand but enough holding for a quick stop.
After that, we stayed in the marina. Dockmaster George is so nice and helpful. We only had good experiences with the locals. They are very kind. Always ready for a talk or to give you a lift. We really liked Great Inagua.
Reported by Olivier Bausset:
We were in Great Inagua for a few days at the beginning of January 2018.
There is a brand new little marina with 2 docks.
10 US $/day
Free wifi
No electricity
No water
Gasoil available if you ask for Romano.
George, the dockmaster is very friendly.
The general store (5 minutes walking) is full of goods (fresh food and frozen food).
Posted on behalf of Hugh Pilsworth of SY Blue Flyer – 10 May, 2017:
We pulled into the harbour this morning. There is 3.5m water all the way in and in the harbour. All the works are for a floating Marina, hopefully, ready this year.
Be aware that when you check in, the Customs and Immigration are about 4 kilometres away, and the charge for 3 on board was US$300!
This covers the whole Bahamas for 1 year, but is expensive for a few nights.
If you’re going there ask for Kevin, he lives on the dock area each day.
Beautiful island though and NO crime at all.
Posted on behalf of Joan Conover:
Just left the dock at Great Inagua. Good customs officers, and lots of activity as they are completing a new harbor. The charts do not show the new entrance..and the larger harbor (in process of being dredged out) will be at least 1/3 or larger.
The concrete is still on the southern side of the harbor, no fuel or such. However, you can still tie up for customs etc., as long as no mail or cargo vessel comes in at the same time.
Steve Fawkes (see Bahamas Cruising Guide) is still there. He came down to say Hi. In fact, several people came to see the boat..guess it was an event to see cruisers in the harbor. OR they knew of our vessel and articles–
Anyway, they are working hard to get this harbor finished, the main heavy equipment has been sent to Ragged Islands..once they get the piles driven, and slips completed..it should be great for a quick stop/safe harbor. I believe the expected traffic to Cuba from the USA is a driver.