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Sandy Cay-Abacos

Location: Abacos
Lat / Lon: N 26° 23.959' / W 076° 59.790'
Depth: 7'-10'
Tide: 2.5'-3.0'
Description:
Sandy Cay is a very popular snorkeling destination that will delight divers of all skill levels. The Bahamas National Trust has installed several mooring balls off the cay that are suitable for vessels under 25’ LOA. When it is busy it is not uncommon to find more than one dinghy tied to a ball at the same time. Larger vessels have been known to anchor outside of the line of mooring balls, however it is not a good idea and potentially dangerous if the anchored vessel were to suddenly swing into the mooring field. It is strongly recommended that larger vessels anchor on the west side of the cay away from the mooring balls on the east side.

Holding:

2.00

Good, watch out for hard bottom

Wind Protection:

2.00

E-W

Current Flow:

1.50

Constant swell

Wake Protection:

2.50

Scenic Beauty:

4.50

Cell Service:

3.00

Good coverage

Review for Sandy Cay-Abacos

Reviewed by: Lawrence Wolfenden on Apr 26, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

3

Holding:

3

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

2

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

5

Cell Service:

3

This is an adequate anchorage but only because of its proximity to the reef just to the east of Sandy Cay. We found the holding sufficient with south winds, but the easterly swell that rolled in from the Atlantic—which, due to the winds, hit us broadside—made it quite uncomfortable.

We weren't there, however, in hopes of a great anchorage, but rather to have a short dinghy ride to the spectacular reef. And the reef was indeed spectacular. Sections come up to three or four feet off the surface (at high tide) and the lowest spots are 12-15 feet. There's a marvelous variety of fish and coral formations, as well as a couple of very friendly green turtles that swam right up to us and with us as if they were trying to show us different parts of the reef.

In Feb/Mar2023 there were only two or three of the mooring balls (for dinghies or small skiffs) available, so it was not unusual for two or three boats to tie up to a single ball.

There best time to enjoy the reef is one or two hours prior to high tide and perhaps the following hour: that's when the water is extra clear having just come in from the ocean. And of course the slack current at high tide makes it easier to get both to and from your dinghy.

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Review for Sandy Cay-Abacos

Reviewed by: Lucy Wilcox, Independence, on Apr 6, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

3

Holding:

1

Wind Protection:

1

Current Flow:

1

Wake Protection:

1

Scenic Beauty:

4

Day anchorage for snorkeling or diving the reef along the eastern side of Sandy Cay. There are moorings there available for small boats and dinghies. There is bad holding in this anchorage, thin sand over rock. Make sure your anchor sets and do not attempt in anything other than settled weather days. Expect swell.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer