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Governors Harbour

Location: North Eleuthera
Lat / Lon: N 25° 11.768' / W 076° 14.877'
Depth: 7'-12'
Tide: 2.5'-3.5'
Description:
The Harbour offers good protection from N-S but it is open to all westerly quadrants. While the bay itself is quite large, the anchorage area is on a band of sand that lies between 200 and 400 yards out from shore. It is important to seek this band as areas closer to shore are very shallow and fouled with debris from vessels and destroyed docks. There are also several small moorings just off the beach on the peninsula leading towards Cupids Cay that are used by locals for everything from small runabouts to class “C” Bahamian sloops. Do not attempt to pick up these moorings as they are private and are not suitable for even a small cruising boat.

3.60

(5)

3.60 out of 5 stars

Holding:

2.40

Fair holding in Sand Avoid grassy patches

Wind Protection:

3.40

NNE-SSW

Current Flow:

3.25

Wake Protection:

2.75

Open and Exposed W-N

Scenic Beauty:

3.40

Ease of Shopping:

4.60

Shore Access:

3.80

Beach nearby - also steps in the seawall

Pet Friendly:

4.67

Beach nearby

Cell Service:

4.80

Good Coverage

WiFi:

3.00

Review for Governors Harbour

Reviewed by: Tom Allison on Nov 29, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 45'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

3

Holding:

3

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

4

Shore Access:

3

Cell Service:

5

After reading the reviews we decided to spend a couple of days here. It took two tries to set the anchor well. Selecting to anchor in 13 feet of water 500 feet off Cupids Cay we did drag in less than 15 knot winds out of the NE, and still had a pretty lively ride. Getting to shore is easy if you don't mind beaching your dinghy. There is no dinghy dock. The community is excellent to explore of foot. Prices were a little higher than we experienced elsewhere in the Bahamas. A good lunch for two at the Buccaneer Club was over $100 and the tip was pre included in the bill. Not able to trust the anchorage and high prices, we cut the stay short and left after the second night.

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Review for Governors Harbour

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

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

3

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

3

Ease of Shopping:

4

Shore Access:

4

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

3

This anchorage remains our most difficult, once again taking 5 attempts! Every other Bahamas anchorage has been on our first this year. Close to shore is hard scoured rock. Best holding seems to be in 5-6 meter depths. We enjoy Governours Harbour. Visit beautiful pink sand beaches, Cupids Cay, the Tea Kettle, Generations Farm Stand (across from primary school next to tire shop). The groceries are expensive here, even by Bahamas standards. The one on Queens highway seems to be significantly less. There's a hardware store, check out the library, etc. Hot Buns Bakery is new and we recommend the chocolate croissants. If you're around Friday night, the fish fry is a long standing tradition.

We have multiple Facebook posts from Governors. Here's one of them. https://www.facebook.com/100063618668322/posts/pfbid02jpJTGcjUt6bGRCqwaKpB7TxTPvnxtgD7m6LAxkwepj447KnuEMEzybLg9d6pViJ4l/

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Review for Governors Harbour

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on Jun 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

3

Wind Protection:

2

Current Flow:

1

Wake Protection:

1

Scenic Beauty:

3

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

4

Cell Service:

4

Did not have any trouble with holding in Governors Harbour. Anchored in two locations. First, at the north end of the anchorage near French Leave, then about in the middle, about 500 yds. north of the marker. Was able to get our 45 lb. Manson Boss to dig in both times. Going slow with the backing down was the key. Good grocery store and restaurants on shore.

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Review for Governors Harbour

Reviewed by: Jason Spitz, Breathe, on Apr 17, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

2

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

3

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

3

Pet Friendly:

4

Cell Service:

5

As others have reported, anchoring can be a challenge. We tried close to shore in front of the dark patches and could not get our Mantus 55 to set. We moved back a few hundred feet more towards the center of the basin in about 15-20 feet of water. We set well here and had no issues during an unexpected storm that saw 360 degree wind shifts and 35 knot gusts. Several other boats dragged with multiple boats reporting they had their engines on and two moved during the storm to new spots in the anchorage. Beware of being too close to the sea wall.

There is a significant tide change and dinghy's can get stranded on the rocky shoreline. Plan your excursions or leave your dinghy far enough from shore during low tide. Or take a kayak or SUP.

The town has beautiful Victorian homes, the famous Friday night fish Fry, the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve, old Club Med Ruins, and lots more. It's worth the possible hassle of anchoring s few times.

Check out https://www.facebook.com/100063618668322/posts/395019269295359/ for a post of some Harbour. Several additional posts can be found on the BreatheSailDive page for Governor's Harbour.

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Review for Governors Harbour

Reviewed by: Lucy Wilcox, Independence, on May 10, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

3

Holding:

1

Wind Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

There are numerous challenges with anchoring off of Governor's Harbour: the bottom is nearly entirely scoured rock with NO holding. Patches that look like sand are only a few inches of sand over rock. If your draft allows, better holding may be found in the deep sand very near the sea wall, but this shoals very quickly. There are numerous unmarked moorings on the bottom all over the area. There are several unwater cables to avoid. There is good wind protection from the northeast - southwest, and none from the west - northwest. If you have calm winds, and can find any holding at all, then shore access is easy on the beach or on the stairs along the road. Coffee shop, gas station, hardware, restaurants, and Friday Fish Fry all steps away.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer