Updated: 29 April 2017
Explorer Chart: EX-10, 10B
Airstrip
- The closest airstrip is on Normans Cay.
Air Service
- Contact marina office for information on charter air service to the Cay.
Anchorage
- The anchorage on the SW shore offers good holding in sand and carries > 10’ in close to shore. Avoid reef that stretches W from the NW tip of cay.
Area Information / Tourism
- Bahamas Area Websites. Sites that can be searched for tourist and business information throughout the Bahamas.
- Exumas Visitors Guide. An free guide booklet available at many local businesses. It provides a good directory of services and attractions throughout the Exumas.
Art Galleries / Art
Bakery
- Bread and catering services are available; contact "Cool Runner" VHF 16 242-365-1010.
Banks & ATMs
Beaches
- There are eight beaches around the island.
Beverage Store
- The marina store has a election of beer, wine and liquors for sale.
Bike Rental
- The marina has bikes for use by marina guests.
Boat Rental / Charter
- The marina has 2 Hobie Cats available for rental ($50 / hr; Feb 2017)
- "Cool Runner" VHF 16 242-365-1010. For other options.
Book Exchange
- A book exchange is available.
BTC Bahamas Office
- While there is a large BTC tower on the cay, there is no office.
- The marina store has BTC top-up cards for sale but there are no phones or SIM cards for sale.
Car Rental
Cell Phone Service
- There is good cellular voice and data service; a BTC cell tower is located on the island that provides services to the northern segment of the Exumas as far S as Shroud Cay.
Church
Coffee Shop
- Coffee is available in the marina store.
Cruisers Net
Customs & Immigration
Dinghy Landing
- The marina has a dinghy landing on the fuel pier.
Ecology
- Report whale sightings to BMMRO! Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organization; 242-366-4155; 242-357-6666; info@bahamaswhales.org.
- See: Environment & Ecology for Cruisers
Emergency
- Contact marina office.
Ferry
Fishing
- The cay is a favorite stop for boats who fish in the nearby deeps of Exuma Sound.
- The marina store has a limited selection of fishing gear.
Fresh Fish
- Check with "Cool Runner" VHF Ch-16
Fuel
- Diesel and gas are available at marina fuel pier. The marina has one of the largest diesel supply systems in the cays, 30,000 gal.
Golf Cart / Scooter Rental
- The marina has golf carts for rental.
Government / Administrative
Groceries & Produce
- Highbourne Cay Marina Ships Store. The marina has a well stocked grocery store including staples, frozen meats, vegetables, clothing and gifts.
Hardware & Lumber
Ice
- Bags of ice are available at marina ($6.00 / bag; Feb 2017).
Ice Cream
- The marina store carries a good selection.
Internet & WiFi
- WiFi available @ $15 / day for marina guests.
- There is a BTC tower on the cay that provides cellular voice and data services to the northern segment of the exumas as far S as Shroud Cay.
- In 2017, 3G cellular data service was available.
Laundry
- The marina office can arrange for laundry wash/dry/fold with next-day turn around depending on guest traffic.
Library
Lodging
- Highbourne Cay Marina; 242-355-1008; email: info@highbournecaybahamas.com. Offers 2, 3, and 4 bedroom cottages for rent.
Mailboat
- Regular service by mailboat.
Marina & Dockage
- Highbourne Cay Marina; 242-355-1008; Monitors VHF Ch 71; email: info@highbournecaybahamas.com. Office Open: 0800 - 1700. 26 slips; vessels to 105'; 9' draft. Dockage: $2.75 / ft; Feb 2017.
Marine Supplies & Parts
- The marina store offers a limited selection of marine supplies.
Marine Service & Repairs
Medical / Clinic / Pharmacy
Moorings
- There are no moorings available for rent.
Navigation
- Highbourne Cut runs pas the S end of the cay and is one of the better cuts in the Exumas.
- There are two routes through the series of small cays that run N-S across the cut. The N route run between the cay that divides the cut into the two routes and the SW tip of Highbourne Cay. This small cay is marked with a pylon at the N end.
- The N route through the cut is shown in the Explorer charts. There are two red triangular range marks for this channel when approaching from the banks.
- The S route is the primary route shown on Navionics eCharts (2017). It appears to be slightly wider and deeper. However most vessels use the N route.
- The entrance to the marina is a short distance E of the narrowest part of the N section of the cut. Exercise caution as tidal currents can sweep a vessel into shallow waters. There are two red triangular range markers for the entrance to the marina from the cut.
Packages & Shipping
- MV Retriever; 910-599-8707; captnmarc@aol.com A freight boat providing regular freight service between Miami FL and the Exumas. The ship has a 3000 lb crane to handle heavier items. They handle customs and VAT.
- MV Yamacraw, Captain Mike, 242-; provides weekly freight shipments between Nassau and cays in the northern Exumas.
- See Staniel Cay for information on air shipment of mail and items from Ft. Lauderdale.
Police
Post Office / Mail
- Regular service by mailboat.
- Marina address: Highbourne Cay Plantations, POB SS-6342, Nassau, NP, Bahamas.
Propane
Resort
- Walking trails
- Beaches: eight beaches around the island. One of the beaches is on the S end of the cay just E of the marina entrance channel; a nice sandy beach with picnic tables.
- Picnic areas
- Snorkeling
- Bicycling
- Hiking
- The marina offers paddle boards, kayaks, and sunfish for rental.
Restaurant & Bar
- Xuma Restaurant and Bar at Highbourne Cay Marina; 242-355-1000. Newly opened in 2011 season provides a beautiful waterfront bar and dining overlooking the cut and beach. It is open for lunch 1200 - 1500; dinner: 1800 - 2100. Reservations for dinner must be made in the restaurant. The bar is open all afternoon.
- "Cool Runner" Catering; 242-355-1010. Catering and beach barbecues can be arranged for groups of marina guests.
Retail Therapy - Shopping
- Highbourne Cay Marina Ships Store. The marina has a well stocked dockside shop for cold drinks and snacks, food, clothing and gifts.
Showers
- Showers are available for marina guests.
Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
- The surrounding waters offer many outcrops and reefs for snorkeling.
Taxi
Things to See & Do
- Allens Cay is a short dinghy ride to the NNW for a visit to the iguanas.
- Guides can be arranged by the marina.
- The marina offers paddle boards, kayaks, and sunfish for rental.
Tides
- The marina reports that local tides are 20 minutes after those at Nassau.
Trash
- Trash disposal is available at marina ($5 / bag for 2 large bags, $25 for any additional). Recycling of aluminum cans , cans, bottles.
- Veterinarian
- There is no local veterinarian.
- Bahamas Humane Society; Exumas; 242-557-0838; bhsexuma@gmail.com
VHF Protocol
- Standard Bahamas VHF protocol.
- The marina monitors VHF Ch71
Water
- RO is water available from the marina ($0.50 / gal; Feb 2017).
Weather
- Highbourne Cay Marina broadcasts weather daily at 0800 on VHF Ch 06 after an
- Marine Weather Center; Daily SSB, webcast, & email forecasts by Chris Parker. Note: Best reception in this area is usually on 4045 KHz USB Simplex at 0630 AST.
- Bahamas Met Office website provides weather forecast for local areas throughout the Bahamas.