Reviews: Spanish Wells Yacht Haven

Reviewed by: Brian Sims , Whatever Bytes, on Aug 11, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 55'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Great marina, staff was friendly and helpful. We had our bikes with us so we were able to tour around the whole island. Great Island to get grocery's in bahamas.

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Reviewed by: Galli Family , Sun Goddess, on Jun 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 50'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 3

We loved the marina, staff and onsite restaurant. Everything was well kept and convenient. That part was 5 stars. But, be sure you check the water if you have a water tester BEFORE you fill up your tanks. We filled 2 empty tanks and then tested the water. It was over 1200 ppm. "Unacceptable" by world health standards. It did not taste salty, so it's undetectable without a tester. Marina said they forgot to switch from city water to R/O. I hope that's not the case for the residents who live in Spanish Wells. Regardless, this should never happen! Cost us renting a golf cart to buy gallons of drinking water since our tanks were full of unsuitable water.

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Reviewed by: Eric Ramsey , SunBums, on Mar 28, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Great marina in the Bahamas. We loved this area and was easy to walk to everything needed. Grocery store, hardware store, couple of marine stores, and beaches were an easy walk. The Wreckers restaurant is great food and has awesome happy hour drink specials. The marina does rent golf carts but they didn't' have any available when were were there. We just used our scooters that we have on board and got us all around the island. The Shipyard restaurant was also a good restaurant. Staff at the marina was always helpful and friendly.

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Reviewed by: Scott Sidoti on Feb 14, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 44'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Very neat clean marina with helpful staff. I tasted the water and it was fine so I filled my water tank. Nice open air bar and restaurant. Easy walk to a really nice beach. There is a huge sandbar even at high tide. Nice little lagoon before the sandbar. Great place for our dog to run. A large grocery store, almost like a US store is a short walk so great for provisioning. On the road to the beach is a little booth where a woman sells soft serve ice cream from 7-10 pm every night. Flavors change every day. Walk a bit further on the main road to marina is on but west to Bernard's. A longish walk but worth it. He sells fresh caught lobster after 4pm. Not sure how often. A crowd is usually gathered waiting. We loved the small town feel and the colorful homes. Also RB boatyard is there for any needed repairs. We will definitely be back.

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Reviewed by: Jeremy Hatch on May 13, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

The only Marina in Spanish Wells but it is very nice -completely rebuilt in 2016. Everything is clean, neat and well maintained and this is reflected in the price. Fixed docks, but solid, good power and water - we did not find it salty.
The access is straight forward but narrow, favor the mangroves as you head to Port to the Yacht Haven. Treadwell is very helpful with lines and Leroy, the manager can help with most everything else. 1/2 mile walk to a large supermarket. Smaller convenience stores along the docks too. If you don't want to fight with the reefs and prices taking your own boat to Harbour Island, it's a surprisingly easy 1 hr. trip each way via water taxi from Gov dock to Jean Bay, Eleuthera land taxi to 3 island dock then water taxi to Harbour Island where you can rent a golf cart on the dock to explore. The pink sand beach on the ocean side is sublime with everything from beach chairs, horseback riding, local food at the beach bars to 1st class dining at your disposal.
If heading North to the Abacos, the Eastern channel is quite straight forward despite the foreboding comments in AC. The Explorer charts have the Lat Long for the Ridley Head inner and outer waypoints. You must be precise but the channel carries 25' or so through the short reef. Actually easier at low tide when you can see the reef awash. For a slow boat like ours, saves 2-3 hours.

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Reviewed by: Jennifer Nicolai , Friend Ship, on Nov 15, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

Unfortunately there are no weekly or monthly rates. We would have stayed longer if the marina would negotiate.

Facilities are top class. Air conditioned showers are huge and very clean. Laundry is new and the pool is lovely. Docks are recently refurbished.

Wreckers restaurant serves good food and has reasonable bar and food prices.

The staff, and all the locals, are very friendly and helpful.

WiFi did not reach our boat, but the marina is looking into the issue.

Don’t fill your water tank here because the water is too salty (and .50/gal). If there has been recent rain you could get quality, free water when you fill at a fuel dock.

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