🌊 The Anchorages That Made Us Stay Longer — Bahamas & Caribbean Sailing Life

Discover our favorite anchorages in the Bahamas and Caribbean—from Exumas to Dominican Republic. Real family sailing experiences, protection tips, and hidden gems.

As we get ready to leave Puerto Bahía Marina and head toward new islands, I find myself thinking about the anchorages that made us stay longer than we ever planned.

The places that weren’t supposed to be more than a stop—but somehow drew us in and became part of our story.Over the past 3 years aboard SV Bogumila, we’ve found a few of these anchorages. Some offered protection when we needed it most, others gave us connection, and some simply gave us a feeling we didn’t want to let go of.These are the anchorages that made us stay longer.

🏝 Thomas Cay & Pipe Cay Area, Exumas

We originally tucked in near Thomas Cay while waiting out stronger winds, looking for protection and a comfortable place to ride it out. The anchorage offered exactly that—good holding, solid protection, and a sense of ease that’s hard to find when conditions aren’t ideal.

But Thomas Cay gave us more than just shelter. We spent time exploring ashore, enjoying quiet hikes with beautiful views and taking in the kind of crystal-clear water the Exumas are known for. Nearby Pipe Cay added endless sandbars and space to slow down, where the days felt simple in the best possible way.What started as a weather stop quietly became one of those places we stayed for simply because it felt good to be there.

⚓ Staniel Cay, Exumas

Staniel Cay is where cruising life and convenience come together.

After quieter anchorages, arriving here felt lively—fuel, groceries, movement, and people coming and going. It’s the kind of place where you can reset, restock, and reconnect with the rhythm of cruising life.We found ourselves staying longer than planned, not just because of what there was to do—but because everything felt easy.And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

🌊 Lee Stocking Island (Williams Cay Anchorage), Exumas

Lee Stocking Island, near Williams Cay, was one of those places that completely surprised

us.We came in expecting a short stop, but ended up staying much longer. The anchorage offered great protection, making it an easy place to settle in, but what really made it special was everything around it.There were multiple beaches to explore, each with its own feel, and plenty of space to wander without ever feeling crowded. One of our favorite moments was hiking along the cliffs, where the views opened up to that endless Exuma blue. It’s the kind of place where time slows down without you noticing—and leaving takes a little effort.

🌴 Georgetown, Exumas (Stocking Island)

Georgetown was different for us.It wasn’t just about the anchorage—it was about the experience for our whole family. The protection here is incredible, but what makes Georgetown truly special is the community.This is where Sophia found her rhythm in a completely different way. Days filled with beach meetups, volleyball, and time spent with other kids living this same life. There was a sense of freedom for her—making friends, exploring, and just being a kid.We didn’t stay because of weather.We didn’t stay because of convenience.We stayed because she was having the best time.

🌴 Thompson Bay, Long Island

As we continued south, the pace shifted again.Thompson Bay gave us something different—not just a comfortable anchorage, but a chance to explore beyond the boat. The protection here made it easy to relax, but what really stood out was everything beyond the shoreline.

We rented a car and explored Long Island, visiting Dean’s Blue Hole and discovering parts of the island that made us realize just how much there is to see here. Even having been before, it still felt like a place we could return to again and again.Some places don’t feel finished—and this was one of them.

🌿 Acklins Island, Bahamas

Acklins felt like stepping into a completely different world.After more traveled areas, arriving here reminded us how quiet and untouched these waters can be. The anchorages were open, the shorelines endless, and the stillness unlike anything else.And yet, even in that quiet, there was connection.The local community was incredibly kind—offering us a ride to a store, small gestures that stay with you long after you leave. At the same time, we felt something we hadn’t felt in a while—complete freedom.No crowds of cruisers.

No busy dinghy docks.Just space, stillness, and the feeling that we had this part of the Bahamas almost entirely to ourselves.It was the complete opposite of Georgetown.And somehow, we loved both for entirely different reasons.

🇩🇴 Luperón, Dominican Republic

Luperón was one of those places we weren’t sure what to expect.We had heard mixed things before arriving, and came in unsure of what we would find. But once we arrived, everything shifted.The harbor offers incredible protection, and after time offshore, stepping into that kind of calm feels like a relief you can’t quite describe.We ended up staying longer than planned, not by choice at first, but because we were waiting for a weather window. What could have felt like being stuck turned into something else entirely.We settled into the rhythm of the place—the cruiser community, familiar faces, and small daily routines.

We arrived unsure.We stayed because of weather.But we left with a completely different perspective.

⚓ Puerto Bahía Marina, Samaná

This stop was something different for us.Staying in one place for a month is something we almost never do, but here in Puerto Bahía, we slowed down.For once, we traded anchor swings for steady docks, pool days, and a sense of pause. It wasn’t planned—but it became exactly what we needed.It also gave us something we didn’t even realize we needed—a break from the boat. Not in a negative way, but in the best possible sense. A chance to step away from the constant awareness that comes with life onboard.No checking the wind.

No worrying about the anchor.No planning the next move.Well we were waiting for a next window but chose to be patient and enjoy this place to the fullest.We rented a car and explored—driving to Santo Domingo, visiting Las Terrenas, and hiking to the incredible El Limón waterfall. It gave us a completely different perspective on this journey, beyond life at anchor.The community and hospitality here made it even more special.We didn’t come here planning to stay this long.But just like so many places before it…we stayed longer than planned.

Finnaly 🤍 The Places We Stay for the People

Sometimes, we don’t stay because of the anchorage.We stay because of the people.

There are places where life becomes easy—kids making friends within minutes, familiar faces, shared moments that quickly turn into something meaningful.But we’ve also learned something just as important.Sometimes we need that human connection…

and sometimes we need to step away from it.Some places fill us up with people.

Others give us space to reset and be on our own.And the beauty of this life is finding that balance.Knowing when to stay…and knowing when it’s time to move on.

The best anchorages aren’t always the ones you plan for.They’re the ones that slow you down.The ones that give you something unexpected.The ones that stay with you long after you leave.And somehow…they’re always the hardest to leave.

Follow our journey on Instagram @SVBogumila for real-time updates from these locations.

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