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Highbourne Cay West

Location: Northern Exuma
Lat / Lon: N 24° 42.860' / W 076° 49.760'
Depth: 8'-15'
Tide: 2.0'-2.5'
Description:
The Highbourne Cay West anchorage is very popular for vessels of all sizes. It is not uncommon to see small cuddy cabin vessels anchored amongst +100 mega yachts. In prevailing easterly conditions the anchorage is well protected, exhibiting little to no wrap around swells from Exuma Sound. The shores are technically private, but the beach on the north end of the anchorage is popular with pet owners and to-date there are no reports of boaters being chased away.
The bottom in the area is clear sand and except for a few highly visible patches of grass the holding is excellent.

3.50

(6)

3.50 out of 5 stars

Holding:

4.50

Good, Sand

Wind Protection:

2.83

NE-SE

Current Flow:

3.75

Mild Current

Wake Protection:

2.83

Exposed to west

Scenic Beauty:

3.83

Ease of Shopping:

3.20

Shore Access:

4.17

Private Beach nearby

Pet Friendly:

4.50

Private beach nearby

Cell Service:

5.00

Good Coverage

WiFi:

1.00

Review for Highbourne Cay West

Reviewed by: Rey, ÎLE DE REY, on Apr 17, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 14'
Draft: 1.3'

Overall Rating:

3

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

3

Shore Access:

5

Very good anchorage, not very sheltered because the swell swirls around.
The marina is fun to visit and watch the sharks at the end of the dock!!!

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Review for Highbourne Cay West

Reviewed by: Tom Allison on Feb 28, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 45'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

3

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

2

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

3

We stopped here for our first stop ever in the Exumas. There is no real protection. We had a gentle SSW wind under ten knots and it was a bit lively on the anchor. That said it was much more stable than where we anchored in Nassau. With winds out of the east it should be excellent. There is plenty of room so even though there were a lot of boats, it was not crowded.

We did not take advantage of any on shore services or such like.

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Review for Highbourne Cay West

Reviewed by: Eric Ramsey, SunBums, on Feb 8, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

4

Shore Access:

4

Great stop with good holding in east winds. Alot of local tour boats speed through the anchorage creating too much wake during the day and getting to close to anchors. The area is beautiful with lots of snorkel spots. It is also a nice dinghy ride to Allen's Cay and Leaf Cay to see the iguanas. Also have to be careful of boats coming into the anchorage after dark. Several boats came in and got a little too close for comfort. There are alot of charter boats that come in from Nassau.

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Review for Highbourne Cay West

Reviewed by: Brian Sims, Whatever Bytes, on May 4, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 55'
Draft: 4.5'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

3

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

A great place to stay and explore. We have anchored here several times in about 10 to 12 ft of water. The hold is pretty good especially in calm weather. Ok protection if wind is out of the east, can get some surge if wind is up. Very good beaches to take the dogs to play and have fun. Went to marina several times and they were very friendly.

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Review for Highbourne Cay West

Reviewed by: Andreas, AKKA, on Feb 6, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 6.2'

Overall Rating:

3

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

2

Wake Protection:

2

Scenic Beauty:

3

Ease of Shopping:

4

Shore Access:

4

Cell Service:

5

For easier marina access by dinghy we anchored a bit to the south with 5m in sand, good holding in front of the rough coastline. Winds were E12kt (good protection) to SW15kt (no protection, long fetch ... bumpy). We were welcome in the marina for shopping, good selection of groceries fresh and frozen and were even offered, to use their free bikes to explore the island. The nice restaurant is not for sailors on a budget, we invested only once and it was excellent. When a northern blow 25 - 30 was expected, all ships left, while we took a slip in the marina and enjoyed some days with comfort.

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Review for Highbourne Cay West

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

Overall Rating:

3

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

3

Wake Protection:

2

Scenic Beauty:

3

Ease of Shopping:

4

Shore Access:

4

Pet Friendly:

4

Cell Service:

5

Good holding in sand. Good stopover from New Providence Island. Great beach for walks. Easy access to dinghy to the marina for groceries, gas, and diesel. This anchorage is frequented by mega yachts, jet skis and fast boats - you will have plenty of company and experience wakes. Full BTC LTE signal.

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