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Rock Sound Settlement

Location: South Eleuthera
Lat / Lon: N 24° 51.880' / W 076° 09.720'
Depth: 7'-9'
Tide: 2.0'-3.5'
Description:
There is a large anchorage area that spreads north and south of the large wooden public dock. The nominal southern limit of the anchorage is the white structure of St. Lukes Anglican Church which is located on the beach and is clearly visible as soon as one enters the harbour. The north extent of the anchorage is a smaller wooden dock north of the public dock that belongs to Dingle’s Service Station. Anchor anywhere between the church and Dingle’s dock in a draft appropriate depth. Be sure to not block the approach to the government dock which is located just north of the very prominent cell tower The holding is very good but the bottom is covered with a layer of silty sand which requires some effort to dig through to ensure a good set. If a strong west wind is forecast, a swell can develop and consideration should be given to moving 1.5 nm west to the other side of the harbour.

4.50

(6)

4.50 out of 5 stars

Holding:

4.83

Good holding in sand, avoid grassy patches

Wind Protection:

4.33

Open and Exposed Southwest

Current Flow:

3.80

Wake Protection:

3.67

Open and Exposed Southwest

Scenic Beauty:

3.83

Ease of Shopping:

4.00

Shore Access:

4.17

Go ashore at the public dock or dinghy dock

Pet Friendly:

5.00

Go ashore at the dock

Cell Service:

4.67

Good Coverage

WiFi:

3.67

Review for Rock Sound Settlement

Reviewed by: Jason Spitz, Breathe, on Apr 17, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

5

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

3

Rock Sound is one of the major settlements of Eleuthera. This anchorage is close to restaurants, shops, grocery, and attractions such as Ocean Hole and Cathedral Caves. The town dinghy dock is super nice, but you also have dinghy docks at Wild Orchids and Frigate's. Please support these establishments as they've built these docks for the cruising community. Frigates is the closest dock to the grocery store at Market Place. Multiple small groceries are scattered throughout the settlement. Dingle Esso has a dock between the town dock and Wild Orchids. Diesel and Gas are available across the street. Come in at high tide for easier access to the dock. At low tide, you can tie your dinghy to the dock but it may be easier to just walk across the rocky beach than ladders with fuel cans.
This is a nice settlement to explore with very friendly people (and potcakes). Check out some photos from around Rock Sound during our most recent visit in January 2023.
https://www.facebook.com/100063618668322/posts/pfbid02ARqjLPx3LZ7Rrr3i28ECGGVn4QkKUSWhnCaxD5CG1axPvya5gJuD4iYDz3SZpVnUl/

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Review for Rock Sound Settlement

Reviewed by: Brian Sims, Whatever Bytes, on Mar 28, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 55'
Draft: 4.5'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

3

Shore Access:

4

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

4

Great place to anchor and explore for a few days. We loved that the dingy dock had a dog access so it was easy to get our german shepherd ashore. We had no problem with getting anchored and had very good holding. We explored onshore the ocean hole, boiling hole, cathedral caves and pink beach. All within 1 mile or so except pink beach was about to miles. We shopped at the grocery and gas station and they had good selection. Recommend spending at least a day or two here.

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Review for Rock Sound Settlement

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

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

1

Wake Protection:

1

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

3

Shore Access:

3

Cell Service:

4

Might be the best anchorage in the Bahamas. Great place to make a 'home base' in any case. Wherever the wind is coming from, you can find a spot with minimum fetch and good holding. Good grocery store is about 1.5 miles from the dinghy dock (north on the main road), but closer if you dock at Frigates. Great protected place to relax for a while. Don't miss cathedral caves about a mile south of the town dock.

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Review for Rock Sound Settlement

Reviewed by: Scott Stewart, Nikki, on Apr 12, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.5'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

5

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

5

Anchored close to Frigates restaurant. Great holding in 7'. Good protection from anything with an East component. Access to shore is great at either Frigates or Wild Orchids. Wild Orchids is very cruiser friendly with free trash drop off and use of there dinghy dock. Cathedral Caves are a short walk as is the ocean hole and groceries.

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Review for Rock Sound Settlement

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

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

3

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

The east side of Rock Sound has excellent holding in deep, sticky sand. For good wind protection, you must move around the Sound: near town for prevailing easterly/southeasterly winds, the southern shore near Starved Creek for southerlies, and the western shore for westerlies. Dingies can be landed at Frigate's Restaurant on the north end of town which is a 5-minute walk to the supermarket (one of the best provisioning stops south of Nassau). Propane can be filled at the hardware store next to the supermarket. There is also a liquor store and auto parts store in the same plaza.

On the south side of town, dinghies can land at the old wooden dock near the large white church. From here, it is a quick walk to Dingle's gas station and local restaurants. Dingle's dock is in ruins.

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Review for Rock Sound Settlement

Reviewed by: Eve on Mar 17, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

3

Shore Access:

3

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

3

Good stop to wait out weather. Move about to get protection from west winds.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer