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Great Guana Cay - Orchid Bay

Location: Sea of Abaco
Lat / Lon: N 26° 39.878' / W 077° 06.593'
Depth: 6'-8'
Tide: 2.0'-2.5'
Description:
Anchoring is not recommended inside the bay for any vessel drawing more than 2’ as there is simply not enough room for a vessel with properly set anchor to clear the numerous docks and mooring balls that have been installed.

1.25

(4)

1.25 out of 5 stars

Holding:

3.67

Poor, thick grass

Wind Protection:

3.00

Open and exposed southwest

Current Flow:

4.50

Wake Protection:

2.33

Open and exposed southwest

Scenic Beauty:

3.00

Ease of Shopping:

4.00

Shore Access:

4.33

Beach nearby

Cell Service:

4.67

Good coverage

Review for Great Guana Cay - Orchid Bay

Reviewed by: Tom Allison on Nov 5, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 45'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

1

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

1

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

3

Shore Access:

4

Cell Service:

5

Don't bother. We tried to anchor in the harbor, but it was shallow, tight and the moorings seemed insufficient. Thus, one star for anchoring in the harbor. This said smaller boats may fare quite well.

Instead we are anchored just outside the harbor in front of Orchid Bay. It took two tries to get the anchor to hold. The weather is calm with light winds out of the northeast. Our biggest problem has been the passenger ferry to Marsh Harbor passing close by and leaving wakes large enough to dislodge secured and cause minor damage to gear. Next time I will anchor just outside of Fisher Bay.

Dinghy access is excellent and Dive Guana has been great. We rented a golf cart, but really didn't need it. Dining options are limited and so far, underwhelming.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Great Guana Cay - Orchid Bay

Reviewed by: Lawrence Wolfenden, Gracefull, on Jul 31, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

1

Holding:

2

Wind Protection:

3

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

3

Ease of Shopping:

4

Shore Access:

4

Cell Service:

4

We pulled in here looking to anchor for the evening. There isn't much room to drop a hook and I would only do so while expecting the wind to be from a consistent direction. Swinging would be risky.

Before we could lower the anchor, though, some (self-appointed?) "harbor master" came out and told us that we were incapable of getting a solid set and that dragging was inevitable. Essentially he made it very clear that we were unwelcome here unless we took a mooring ball (and, of course, none of the half-dozen or so were available). He then proceeded to his moored catamaran, and we decided that we didn't want to put up with him or the tight quarters, so we headed to the other side of the spit to the west and anchored with plenty of room and good holding in Fisher's Bay. The only thing we gave up was quicker access to Nipper's dinghy dock and a crabby old man off our stern. The ride to Nipper's from Fishers was only about 5 minutes and provided no significant benefit over the dock that Grabber's has.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Great Guana Cay - Orchid Bay

Reviewed by: Graeme Walker, Confirmed Aquaholic, on Feb 28, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 54'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

1

Very difficult to pick-up mooring ball, were in a WSW wind so had no protection. At 54' were encouraged to go elsewhere as we were considered too big.

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Review for Great Guana Cay - Orchid Bay

Reviewed by: Doug Hobbs, Rock Chalk, on May 10, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 44'
Draft: 6.0'

Overall Rating:

2

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

2

Scenic Beauty:

2

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

5

Cell Service:

5

Dive Guana maintains 3 mooring balls in the Harbor. Very limited area to anchor, however, if not on a ball with our 6' draft. We dropped the hook right off Orchid Bay Marina and felt like we were in the way of boat traffic. The better option would be to go around the corner to Fisher's Bay. New public/ferry dock for easy shore access with short walk to Nippers and settlement. Tie up to west side of dock as the ferry uses east side.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer