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Pipe Cay Marina Channel

Location: Exuma Sound
Lat / Lon: N 24° 14.290' / W 076° 31.278'
Depth: 9'-12'
Tide: 2.5'-3.0'
Description:
The marina at Pipe Cay is under construction and is not receiving vessels. Until it is completed there is an anchorage just outside of the marina channel that is a viable overnight stop in settled conditions. The holding is good and there is decent protection from the east however it is exposed in most other directions. The anchorage is popular with larger yachts that wish to tour the Pipe Creek area in their tenders and it is very close to the channel into Pipe Creek at Little Pipe Cay

N.B. The water inside the basin at the Pipe Cay Marina is very shallow off the channel. As tempting as it might seem there is not enough swing room inside for any vessel drawing over 3'. If you are seeking shelter from weather Pipe Creek is a better choice.

Holding:

4.50

Good holding in sand and broken shell.

Wind Protection:

3.50

NE-SE

Current Flow:

4.00

Mild Current

Wake Protection:

4.00

Scenic Beauty:

4.00

Ease of Shopping:

1.00

Shore Access:

2.00

Shore access is via a beach inside the basin opposite the marina

Pet Friendly:

2.00

Beach nearby

Cell Service:

3.50

Good Coverage

WiFi:

1.00

Review for Pipe Cay Marina Channel

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on May 12, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

3

Cell Service:

3

WiFi:

1

Good anchorage in prevaling easterlies, but not much protection otherwise. There are some small islands scattered around the anchorage that would offer minimal protection. Holding seemed good in sand and clay.

Interesting place to explore. As mentioned there are ruins of an old communication station. Otherwise, you can walk across to the beautiful flats on the east side of the cay and wade out for nearly a mile in shin deep water.

Terrific stop in the right weather.

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Review for Pipe Cay Marina Channel

Reviewed by: Jason Spitz, Breathe, on Mar 13, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

1

Pet Friendly:

2

Cell Service:

4

Pipe Cay was once the home of a US Navy Decca station. Abandoned, the ruins still stand along with dolphin pilings marking a channel from the Tongue of the Ocean to a small cove where the deserted buildings of the station stand on the west side of the island. There is a concrete wall inside the cove that was the dock for ships.
The ruins can no longer be explored as a marina is rebuilding here and "No Trespassing" signs abound.

This remains a great anchorage with good protection from prevailing NE to SE winds. Some swell wraps around as winds turn SSE. Lots to visit here, from small coral heads to mangroves, to salt flats, and even an abandoned E is plenty of room for many boats in what is generally 2-3 meter depths. Shallow draft boats can push in deeper towards the mangroves just south of the marina channel. Aliv and BTC cell service reasonably good. Sand beach is accessible to high water line south of ruins. No trespassing signs posted. We saw a goat walking on the beach! For pictures, visit https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid021Z7YjApVUWDc2T9ozGsBbPFR6KvSaWpnnzNnnVret9R6HcuZ5tEb1BYreoX3kScQl&id=100063618668322

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer