George Town, Bahamas

We have spent our first time this year, Feb 2013, exploring and discovering George Town, Bahamas. This is a great place for cruisers to base because there are many places to anchor and to be protected from the cold fronts that arrive every week. When a cold front arrives, the normal east winds will be pulled to the south, then southwest, then increase as they build blowing from the northwest. This northwest wind will then move around to the north and eventually to the northeast where it will really howl and then blow itself out. Once the front has passed, the winds will move back to the normal east winds and all is fine once again.

If you look at this map picture of the George Town harbor, and if you think about this frontal passage and the wind directions, you will see that there are various places to move to to deal with these fronts. Or you can simply stay put and just ride it out for a day.

Here is a Google Map...



#1. Lake Victoria. The heart of the town. Dinghy dock, Exuma Market, Fuel, water, trash, recycle!
#2. Hamburger Beach, this is where Big D's is located and they serve great meals and drinks
#3. Monument Beach, a very poular anchorage just off Monument Hill
#4. Chat n Chill plus St. Francis Resort, this is the center of the action and where Volleyball Beach is located.
#5. Sand Dollar Beach, another great anchorage with access to a spectacular beach and hiking trails
#6. Kidds Cove, where you anchor when you want to service your boat by jugging fuel, and water or stocking up on groceries from the Exuma market.

The dinghy ride across the harbor is 1.1 miles and in a blow this can be a real rough and wet ride. You normally put on foul weather jacket and sometimes bibs, so that you are not soaked after the crossing.

In Feb 2013, there were nearly 300 boats at anchor in George Town harbor, and with all the services, great beaches, pubs and town access, I can see why so many cruisers make this a winter home.

Hayden, anchored in Kidds Cove, loading up fuel and water