Explore: Nassau
General Info
Be aware that Nassau is primarily a tax-free tourist mecca and has become a “Big City” with a commensurate crime rate. Be very street-wise. The crime rate is high (not only for theft), so take care where you walk, especially at night, and secure all your property as best you can. Locking your boat securely at night and when away from it is a must, as is locking your dinghy and outboard when tied to the boat and ashore at a dinghy dock.
Position 25°04.39’N 077°17.81’W (eastern end of the harbour)
Clearance
Review main Bahamas Clearance information.
Clearance procedures can take place at Prince George Wharf (cruise ship terminal), any marina in Nassau Harbour, Atlantis and Hurricane Hole marinas on Paradise Island, Lyford Cay at the west end of New Providence.
When clearing out from here Customs & Immigration charge $75 for an exit zarpe. However, if sailing to the Bahamas, the authorities there are happy to accept your Bahamas Cruising permit instead of a zarpe.
Last updated: November 2015.
Docking
Before entering Nassau harbour, when within a mile or so, be sure to call Nassau Harbour Control on VHF 16, who will shift to working Ch. 9. This procedure must be followed even if passing through to one of the marinas). They will ask for your last port of call, request details etc. and you will be advised of traffic and given permission to enter. You should also call them before changing location in, or leaving the harbour, for permission to do so, when they will ask for your destination and advise traffic.
Anchoring in Nassau Harbour
It is possible to anchor anywhere in Nassau Harbour outside the main channel, but you must stay clear of commercial shipping areas where freighters manoeuvre and unload. Harbour Control will probably advise you where to go.
Anchoring is possible in front of the Green Parrot restaurant and bar, at 25°04,7’N 077°19,6’W. Mooring buoys are planned. There are a dinghy dock and rubbish bins. Just have a meal or take a beer for this service.
There are two bridges across the harbour, clearance over the main channel is 70ft at high water springs.
There are two other anchorages around New Providence, both good in settled weather: Old Fort Bay just East of the Lyford Cay channel on the North Shore; the other further West at West Bay East of Goulding Cay. Coral Harbour on the South Shore is no longer available to the cruising public and is now the headquarters of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. However, you can gain shelter in extreme conditions.
Dinghy Docks
Going ashore by tender in Nassau Harbour from anchorages is more difficult than in the past. There are two places where tenders may be taken, both Texaco fuel docks, one at Harbour Central Marina, west of the bridges, and the other at Texaco Harbour View, east of the bridges. They make a small charge and you can take garbage ashore too. You should lock your dinghy and its motor both at anchor and while ashore, but do not impede access to the dinghy dock for others.
Bahamas Air-Sea Rescue Association (BASRA) has a small dinghy dock so, if you come ashore here (and even if you don’t), please go in and join this voluntary Association – it’s the only rescue service in The Bahamas. Just west of BASRA is Crocodile’s Restaurant, where there is a floating dinghy dock alongside the wall, for your use at any time. Please visit the restaurant for a meal and a beer or two. Both places are happy to accommodate visiting yachts but take no responsibility for loss or damage, so be sure to lock your engine and dinghy when you leave it, but do not block the facility for others.
Last updated: December 2013.
Bayshore Marina and Marlin Marine
Nassau Harbour Club and Marina
Yacht Clubs
The Nassau Yacht Club offers reciprocal facilities to members of some offshore sailing clubs, check with them if you think you qualify. The NYC holds an annual yachting regatta in early February, everyone welcomes to participate.
