Matthew Town - Docking

Much of the island's coastline is hostile with no anchoring opportunities and no road running along much of the coast, so help will not be forthcoming should a yacht encounter difficulties. Docking Matthew Town has good facilities for docking. Matthew Town Docks yacht basin houses 2 wooden finger piers (80ft in length) with a comfortable 17-21ft depth.

Additional space is available at the hard wall service dock (300ft in length) with the starboard side for pleasure crafts and Ro Ro ramp access for freight boats.

The yacht basin is popular with catamarans (eight can be comfortably accommodated).

Note: The port side hard wall dock and ramp in Matthew Town belongs to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force zone. Private or commercial vessels are not allowed to dock there.

The dockmaster, George Harris, can be contacted on 1-242-339-2143 or call on VHF Ch. 16 "Master Dock". Services available include (we are currently getting this confirmed).  Ladders are available on all slips, but be sure you are near them. The height from water to dock is about 7-10 ft, so ladders are useful for getting to land. The Customs dock may permit boats to stay overnight, however, there is only room here for three vessels. Anchoring Anchoring off the town is fine in settled weather. There are no dangers, however, holding can be poor in places with sand over hard coral. With care, a secure anchorage can be found in approx. 3.5m. A more sheltered, less rolly anchorage can be found at Man of War Bay, well past the Morton salt pier. Anchor off the sandy beach in about 10 feet of water (Waypoint 21 05.58 N, 73 39.20 W). This anchorage lies between two patches of coral that are partially exposed at low water. The beach in front of the general store is reported to be a better dinghy landing than elsewhere on the waterfront. It is unmistakable, as it is near a large sailboat tossed up onto the shore by a recent hurricane. The only activity on the island is in the southwest at Matthew Town. Almost anything can be found by asking at the general store. Marina: A new marina is located at the large red metal cell tower just on the north side of the entry. Four slips face the entry, making access easy. Last updated:  December 2024