Reviews: Cambridge Cay Moorings

Reviews Summary

The reviews for Cambridge Cay highlight it as a beautiful and well-protected anchorage in the Exumas, ideal for both mooring and anchoring. Reviewers appreciate the stunning natural scenery, including hiking trails, beaches, and nearby snorkeling spots like Rocky Dundas and the Aquarium. Many noted the anchorage's ability to withstand strong winds, although some experienced challenges with currents affecting their moorings.

Key points from the reviews include:
- Location and Scenery: Cambridge Cay is praised for its gorgeous landscapes, hiking opportunities, and access to various beaches and snorkeling sites.
- Mooring and Anchoring: While mooring balls are available for a fee, some reviewers mentioned issues with currents and the need for proper anchoring techniques. The mooring field is generally well-protected, but conditions can vary.
- Activities: Reviewers enjoyed hiking trails, exploring caves, and snorkeling, with specific recommendations for trails and nearby attractions.
- Cell Service: Some noted the availability of cell service, which is helpful for managing fees and staying connected.
- Overall Experience: Many found Cambridge Cay to be a favorite stop on their Exuma trip, appreciating its natural beauty and recreational opportunities despite some challenges with wind and current.

Overall, Cambridge Cay is recommended as a great spot for boaters looking to enjoy the natural beauty and activities in the Exumas.

Reviewed by: Bret Butler , Lucy 2, on Apr 30, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Stayed here a few nights. What a beautiful location. Weathered a wind storm, winds from the east and north, the bay is well protected. Several nice walks on the island. A short dingy ride to the aquarium.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Abroad Reach on Mar 9, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 37'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Cambridge Cay is a great spot for both the moorings and to anchor. We sat our a significant NW blow here on anchor in January 2023 with winds 30-35 knots for three days. It is not the most comfortable anchorage in NW winds but we held very well. There is at least some protection from all directions but NW and S can kick up some waves especially when wind opposes current. And there is a lot of current through the anchorage.

Cambridge Cay itself is gorgeous and has a really nice hike up to a beautiful over look on the eastern side. There are several great beaches and it is also in a great location to dinghy to the Aquarium, Rachel's Baths, and Rocky Dundas.

The small island to the south west of the anchorage is a great place to take the dog ashore, especially since dogs are not permitted on the trails on Cambridge cay, only the beaches.

We found this is one of the few spots within the Exumas Land and Sea Park that had ALIV cell reception, and we were able to pay for our mooring and anchoring fees online. Otherwise, park wardens typically come in the morning to collect fees.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Tom Allison on Mar 9, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 45'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

This is a great place to stop in the Exumas. As I write this its blowing 20+ knots and we are holding fast on our anchor. You do have to pay to anchor here as it is in the park. Mooring balls are available for a fee as well but limited in number. Entry into the anchorage was easy in less-than-ideal conditions and even with 20 boats there was plenty of room.

Beaches are easy to access via dinghy and enjoy a walk. There are a couple of trails on the cay to hike. Coral formations nearby make for good snorkeling, and we have seen an abundance of sea life swim by the boat. There are no shore amenities available, but that's not why we came here.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: James Waters , Waters Edge, on May 24, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 60'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Our favorite anchorage so far in our Exuma trip.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Jason Spitz on Jan 31, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

As of late January, 2022, there were 9 moorings at Cambridge Cay. We stayed for 5 days during strong N to NW to W winds sustained to 30 and gusts in the upper 30s. The mooring field is well protected from wind but strong currents run through and different moorings have different currents. All boats were spinning on their moorings at one time or another. The pendants are too long for most boats. Our ball dragged under the boat repeatedly with reverse current/wind the first night. We tied directly to the ball to prevent this the next morning and we rode much better. The island itself is gorgeous with a great trail that you can follow all the way around to the north. It provides a great view of Bell rock. Wear decent shoes as quite a bit is iron-shore. The caves and coral at Rocky Dundas are beautiful. And there are several good snorkeling or diving areas. Don't miss the beaches and the path to honeymoon beach. Aliv and BTC service was good.

For an overview of the mooring field from above, check out our drone video at
https://youtu.be/dyAsnJlef8g
And for pictures of the cay, visit https://www.facebook.com/100063618668322/posts/340308048099815/

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Dan , Cat’n Around, on Apr 4, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

We stopped here with a blow coming from the NE. Good protection. Mooring balls are in great shape. Snorkeled a couple small islands on the SW side of the anchorage. Very nice. Also visited the Caves to the SW and Rachel’s Bubbles which were both great. If you want to hike take the trail across the island then north on the beach to pick up a the trail marked Ridge Trail. Good 1.5 - w mile hike on the north shore. Overall great anchorage for a few days!

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Lucy Wilcox on Apr 4, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 3.9'

Rating: 5

Beautiful location. Good protection from all directions; a good spot to wait out a cold front. Visit the sand bar, dinghy to the Aquarium snorkel site at O'Briens or down to Rocky Dundas Caves. If the moorings are full, you can anchor to the south of them and have good holding in sand. There is a current here. Occasionally, there will be an uncomfortable high tide surge and boats will swing in different directions. 2 bars of BTC 3G cell service.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer