New Providence & Nassau

New Providence and Nassau form a busy cruising hub in the central Bahamas, combining marina berths, anchorages, and nearby day-sail spots. Nassau Harbour is a practical base for reprovisioning and essential repairs. Anchorages around New Providence and the outlying cays offer quieter options with varying levels of shelter and exposure.

The waters near Clifton Heritage Park, to the west, provide a quieter anchorage and a short dinghy ride from here takes you to the underwater Ocean Atlas statue, a popular snorkelling site for visiting crews.

Within Nassau Harbour, traffic can be dense, and visiting yachts should be aware of ferry and commercial vessel operations. Moorings and slips often fill quickly due to high demand, requiring advance reservations. Eastern anchorage areas, while more secluded, may offer less protection.

Places to stay

Below are the most popular and highly rated places to stay, based on feedback from the noforeignland community:

Anchorages

	Clifton Bay	4.2 ★	Review summary: Clifton Bay offers protection primarily from north to east-southeast winds, making it an ideal refuge when sheltered from these directions. Depths of 2.5 meters with a sandy bottom allow for good holding. Some beach facilities include trash disposal and snorkeling opportunities near the shore.
	Rose Island (Snorkel Reef)	4.1 ★	Review summary: Rose Island provides a scenic anchorage with good snorkeling opportunities on surrounding reefs. The location is generally calm under E to SW winds, but all Reviews note potential discomfort in northern winds. Tour boats and jet skis make it busy occasionally.
	Old Fort Bay	4.0 ★	Review summary: Visitors find Old Fort Bay appealing due to its good holding conditions and deep sand, which facilitates anchoring. The anchorage provides protection from South and East winds, enhancing its suitability for those navigating these conditions.
No image	Nassau Yacht Club Anchorage	4.0 ★	Review summary: Anchoring here offers calm conditions at night although waves from passing boats are notable during the day. The area features two visible sunken boats. Some reviews indicate good holding, with recommendations to use more scope during storms for stability.
	Rose Cay North	3.8 ★	Review summary: Visitors find Rose Cay North offers excellent shelter from southerly winds with good sand-bottom holding. The anchorage is praised for its accessibility and protection, though awareness of the presence of sizable reefs is advised when navigating the area.
	West Athol Island	3.8 ★	Review summary: Anchoring at West Athol Island offers good wind protection from the north, northwest, and northeast. Multiple Reviews mention significant boat traffic during the day, with some wake issues, which cease by sunset. There is ample space, though finding clean sand can be challenging.
	Athol Island	3.7 ★	Review summary: Anchoring at Athol Island provides good holding with navigational consideration required due to barge wrecks near the shoreline. Protection is strongest from the north, though boat traffic can result in wakes. The site is preferred by some for its proximity to Nassau.
	Rose Island South	3.6 ★	Review summary: Anchoring access shows clear water with sand bottoms and good holding in northerly winds. However, the anchorage may become crowded with local boats, especially on weekends. Visitors might encounter rolly conditions, especially during still nights with little wind, as noted by several Reviews.
	Nassau (Outside East Channel)	3.3 ★	Review summary: The anchorage outside East Channel in Nassau offers good holding and convenient access to shoreside services, like groceries and marine stores. It can be noisy and busy due to tourist boats and jet skis, affecting comfort levels and desirability for extended stays.
	Nassau Harbour	3.2 ★	Review summary: Nassau Harbour offers adequate shelter for anchoring, though the area can be busy with boat traffic. Visitors found the location convenient for shopping and dining, especially praising the availability of a secure dinghy dock at Bay Marina. Noise may be a consideration for some.

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Marinas

	Atlantis	4.3 ★	Review summary: Calm and well-protected marina offers ample maneuvering space. Guests appreciate receiving passes to the resort water park. While moorage is expensive, the inclusion of resort amenities makes it appealing for longer stays.
	Nassau Harbor Club	4.1 ★	Review summary: Nassau Harbor Club Marina often serves as a convenient base for provisioning, with a supermarket and several eateries just across the street. Visitors appreciate the friendly staff and recent renovations to the docks. However, boat wakes are a noted concern for some guests.
	Palm Cay - ONE Marina	4.0 ★	Review summary: Staying at Palm Cay - ONE Marina offers visitors amenities like a pool, beach, gym, and a courtesy car for grocery provisioning. Multiple reviews highlight these facilities as a benefit during their stay.
	Bay Street Marina	3.8 ★	Review summary: Visitors frequently use the marina for its facilities, taking advantage of services like restaurants and secure parking. The Green Parrot restaurant inside the marina is particularly notable for its quality service and food, creating a memorable dining experience.
	Nassau Yacht Haven	2.8 ★	Review summary: Visitors at Nassau Yacht Haven frequently encounter a notable wake from the main channel, impacting docking conditions. Staff are commonly described as helpful, though the marina's fixed docks pose a challenge with protruding metal parts that may damage boats. The marina's proximity to amenities is a highlight.

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Boatyards and services

Below are the most popular and highly rated boat services, based on feedback from the noforeignland community:

Chandlers

	Harbourside Marine	4.6 ★	Review summary: Harbourside Marine provides a vast selection of marine supplies, including fishing gear, diving equipment, engines, and more. Visitors regularly find the stock extensive and the staff knowledgeable. It's recommended to have a list to avoid overspending due to the large inventory.
	Lightbourne Marine	4.0 ★	Review summary: Chandlery services at Lightbourne Marine facilitate parts acquisition. If unavailable on-site, staff can order parts or refer to competitors for assistance. Personnel at the parts counter provide guidance, demonstrating a customer-oriented approach to fulfilling specific nautical equipment needs.

This table summarizes first-hand reviews from sailors who have checked in to this part of Bahamas.

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