Our favorite anchorages in Bahamas
- Anna Wanecka Swiacke
- Mar 6
- 5 min read
Best 3 Anchorages in the Bahamas for Families with Kids
SV Bogumila-style cruising guide
1. Staniel Cay & Big Major Spot (Pig Beach)
Why we love it?!
This is probably the most iconic family anchorage in the Bahamas. The protected anchorage has good sand holding and calm water, making it comfortable for boats with kids aboard.
The real highlight is nearby Pig Beach, where kids can dinghy ashore and meet the famous swimming pigs—one of the most memorable experiences for cruising families.
Kid highlights
• 🐷 Swim with the famous pigs at Pig Beach
• 🤿 Snorkel inside Thunderball Grotto underwater cave
• 🏝 Dinghy to shallow sandbars for beach picnics
• 🍦 Grab ice cream or dinner at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club
Anchoring tips
• Depth: ~8–12 ft
• Bottom: sand (excellent holding)
• Best in: E–SE winds
Parent tip
Go to the grotto at slack tide—currents can be strong for younger swimmers.
Staniel Cay is the social and provisioning hub of the central Exuma Cays.Cruisers love anchoring here because of easy access to fuel, water, groceries, and restaurants.
2. Compass Cay
Why we love it
Compass Cay offers a protected marina and anchorage in calm waters, making it a comfortable stop when cruising with children.
Compass Cay Marina (mooring / dockage)it’s not exactly an anchoring spot by it’s definitely place you don’t want to miss. I know it said anchoring locations that’s why i offer two nearby locations to stay at anchor and still be able to visit.
The marina at Compass Cay offers mooring balls and limited dockage.
Depths are generally 7–10 ft in the channel.
Good protection from most winds.
Often required if you want easy access to the nurse shark dock.
📞 It’s best to call ahead on VHF or phone, especially during busy cruising seasons.
Rachel’s Bubble / Compass Cay anchorage
A popular nearby anchorage is close to Rachel’s Bubble Bath on the north side of Compass Cay.
Typical conditions:
Depth: 8–14 ft
Bottom: Sand with good holding
Protection: Best in easterly winds
Many cruisers anchor here and dinghy over to the marina.
The biggest attraction is the friendly nurse sharks that live in the marina—kids can safely swim or stand on the dock and interact with them. The island also has small beaches and mangrove creeks perfect for dinghy exploring.
Kid highlights
• 🦈 Swim with gentle nurse sharks
• 🏝 Explore shallow beaches
• 🛶 Dinghy through mangrove creeks
• 🍔 Grab snacks at the marina
Prepare kids for the nurse sharks
Compass Cay is famous for its friendly nurse sharks that swim in the marina.
Explain to kids beforehand that they’re safe but still wild animals.
Younger kids may feel nervous when they first see them.
Let them watch from the dock first before getting in the water.
Go early in the day
Most boat tours from Great Exuma or Staniel Cay arrive late morning.
Arriving earlier means:
Fewer crowds
Kids can interact calmly with the sharks
Set clear rules
Before they get in the water, remind kids:
No grabbing or chasing sharks
No splashing wildly
Listen to the guides
another option is
Pipe Creek area (very popular cruising anchorage)
Just south of Compass Cay is Pipe Creek.
Why we like it:
Large sandy anchorages
Good holding
Beautiful shallow water for swimming
Multiple wind protection options depending on where you anchor
From here it’s a short dinghy or tender ride to Compass Cay.
Many cruisers anchor south in Pipe Creek rather than right by the marina.
Pipe Creek has multiple sandy spots and great protection depending on wind direction.
⚠️ Important navigation tips
Watch the tides carefully in the Exumas; currents run through cuts.
Stay in marked channels—shoals are everywhere.
Enter slowly and rely on visual navigation in daylight (sun overhead is ideal).
3. Warderick Wells (Exuma Land & Sea Park)
Why families love it
This anchorage sits in a horseshoe-shaped bay inside the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, famous for its crystal-clear water and marine life.
The park has mooring balls instead of anchoring, which makes it simple and safe for families. Kids can snorkel directly from the boat and spot starfish, rays, and reef fish. But you can also anchor right outside the horse shoe by Emerald Rock .
Kid highlights
• 🐠 Snorkel reefs full of tropical fish
• 🥾 Short hiking trails with panoramic views
• 🐚 Hunt for shells on pristine beaches
• 🦎 Spot iguanas and marine life
Anchoring tips
• Excellent protection inside the harbor
• Water clarity is incredible
Emerald Rock in the Warderick Wells anchorage area.
Typical conditions:
Depth: ~10–15 ft
Bottom: sand with surrounding grass and coral
Protection: good from E–SE winds
🧭 Navigation tips around Emerald Rock
The rock itself is shallow and surrounded by reef heads.
Approach slowly and in good overhead sunlight.
Stay in the clearly deeper sand channels when maneuvering
Water is extremely clear, so visual navigation works well with polarized glasses.
🌬️ Wind considerations
The Warderick Wells mooring field around Emerald Rock is best in:
E–SE winds (most common in the Exumas)
Less comfortable in:
Strong W or NW winds (the harbor can roll).
🚤 Why cruisers stop here
This area is one of the most popular stops in the park because it’s close to:
Boo Boo Hill – famous cruiser driftwood sign hill
Wells Cathedral – stunning coral reef snorkeling
Emerald Rock – great shallow snorkeling
Parent tip
Bring a snorkel set for each child—this is one of the best shallow snorkeling spots in the Exumas.
✅ SV Bogumila-style takeaway:
If sailing the Bahamas with kids, aim for anchorages that offer short dinghy rides, sandy beaches, and wildlife encounters. The Exumas are ideal because the waters are shallow, clear, and usually calm, creating a natural playground for young sailors.
🧭 Why this triangle works
Distances are perfect for easy cruising days:
Staniel Cay → Compass Cay: ~7 nautical miles
Compass Cay → Warderick Wells: ~18 nautical miles
Warderick Wells → Staniel Cay: ~25 nautical miles
That lets you move with the wind and weather without long passages.
Why We Love Staniel Cay, Compass Cay, and Warderick Wells
After spending time cruising through the Exuma Cays, three places keep drawing us back: Staniel Cay, Compass Cay, and Warderick Wells. Each offers something completely different, yet together they create the perfect cruising triangle—great protection, incredible water, and endless things to explore.
Staniel Cay is our go-to base. It’s lively, welcoming, and practical. When we anchor near Big Major Cay, we’re just a short dinghy ride from fuel, groceries, and a great meal ashore. From here we can snorkel Thunderball Grotto, visit the famous swimming pigs, or simply enjoy the beautiful anchorage with its crystal-clear water and sandy bottom. It’s the perfect blend of convenience and classic Exumas scenery.
Compass Cay feels quieter and more relaxed. The water here is impossibly clear, and the surrounding anchorages offer some of the most beautiful shades of turquoise in the Bahamas. We love exploring the nearby sandbanks, visiting Rachel’s Bubble Bath, and stopping by the marina to see the famous nurse sharks. When the weather shifts, the nearby creeks and anchorages often provide just the right protection.
Warderick Wells, in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, is the place we go when we want to reconnect with nature. The mooring field is one of the most beautiful in the Bahamas, surrounded by shallow banks and emerald-colored water. From here we hike up Boo Boo Hill for panoramic views, snorkel vibrant reefs like Wells Cathedral, and enjoy the peaceful feeling that comes from being in a protected marine park.
What makes these three spots special is how well they work together. They’re close enough for easy cruising days, yet each offers a completely different experience—community and convenience at Staniel Cay, tranquil turquoise waters around Compass Cay, and untouched natural beauty at Warderick Wells.
For us, this little triangle in the central Exumas captures everything we love about cruising in the Bahamas.
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