Pipe Cay

• Location: Northern Exuma
• Lat / Lon: N 24° 14.164' / W 076° 30.265'
• Depth: 8'-12'
• Tide: 2.5'-3.0'
• Description:

  While not quite as dramatic as the Scylla and Charybdis of Homer's Odyessy, the modern-day metaphor of caught between a rock and a hard place is an apt description of this anchorage. Nestled in a gap between the south end of Pipe Cay and the north side of Little Pipe Cay, those who feel confident in their anchoring skills will enjoy one of the most dramatic anchorages in the middle Exumas. 

  The gap is one of several entries into the Pipe Creek area and is subjected to ferocious reversing currents when the tide is running; however most of the anchorage is deep sand so with properly set ground tackle swinging through 360° is generally not a problem. There is good protection from winds in every direction except SW which diminishes its suitability for weathering a cold front but winds from any other direction will not present a problem. It is possible to ride out a cold front if one can get far enough back into the anchorage

  To the NW of the anchorage there is a large drying sandbar that is popular with local boaters and every day the beach will be busy with the crews from mega yachts who bring their charges for a protected beach day, even when it is inclement.

  The most important part of using this anchorage is to ensure your anchor is well set with adequate scope because even in settled conditions the current will test your anchor every tide cycle.