Port Nelson Settlement
Map of Rum Cay with facilities and attractions.
Note: A topic with no bullets following indicates that there is nothing of this type available or that if it does exist no information is available. Email the Guide. if you have any related information. Check nearby locations for the services you seek.
Updated: 27 February 2015
Note: Port Nelson received substantial damage from a hurricane in ~2010. Sumner Point Marina ceased operations due to the damage. In February 2015, SV Onward talked with several vessels that stopped at Port Nelson and reported that the marina remains closed with no services. There are few remaining services on the island.
Explorer Chart: RUM-1, RUM-1A, RUM-2
Airstrip
- Airstrip; 4500'; paved. 23º41'N, 74º50.1W'.
Anchorage
- Port Nelson. Off government pier in settled weather. Protection from NNW to E.
- Flamingo Bay: A large uninhabited bay in the NW corner of Rum Cay with beautiful beaches. It is necessary to carefully thread a course though the coral heads to anchor in sand offshore. Protection from E to WSW. Visit requires settled weather and vessels must avoid being trapped in the bay by N-component winds.
- Bahamas Area Websites. Sites that can be searched for tourist and business information throughout the Bahamas.
Bakery
- Kaye's Restaurant.
- Ocean View Restaurant.
- Two Sisters Takeaway.
Beverage Store
- Tobby's Wholesale & Retal Liquor Store; 242-331-2819.
Boat Rental / Charter
Book Exchange
- Ocean View Restaurant.
- 242-331-2871 / 2872; Fax: 242-331-2873.
Cell Phone Service
Church
- St. Christopher's Anglican.
- St. John's Baptist.
Cruisers Net
Customs & Immigration
Dinghy Landing
- Beach at Port Nelson in settled weather.
Ferry
Fishing
- Bonefishing and deep sea fishing guides operate in the area.
Fuel
- Sumner Point Marina; is not in operation and there are no services available due to hurricane damage.
Government / Administrator
Groceries & Produce
- Last Chance Convenience Store; 242-331-2806.
- Strachan's One-Stop Shop Grocery.
- Hermie Bain's Variety Store.
Ice
Ice Cream
Internet & WiFi
Laundry
- Ask around for locals providing service.
- Strachan's One Stop Shop.
Lodging
- Bain's Guesthouse.
Marina & Dockage
- Sumner Point Marina; is not in operation. The marina was severely damaged by a hurricane and there are no services available. From local sources: The owner decided not to rebuild. A charter fisherman took a 5-year lease with intent to rebuild. Little progress has been made. The piers are damaged but there is some space where boaters can berth without charge.
Marine Services & Repairs
Medical / Clinic / Pharmacy
- Monthly visit by doctor and nurse from San Salvador.
Navigation
- The channel into the marina basin had been dredged and marked. Since the hurricane damage the status is not known. SV Shearwater noted that there were orange buoys marking the channel which has a reef to the S and sandbars to the N. SV Yolo, a catamaran drawing ~ 4.5' was able to enter the basin and turn around in 2014.
- Good visual piloting conditions are a must for navigating among the large coral heads in Flamingo Bay.
Personal Services
Police
- 242-331-2870.
- PO located in administration building.
- Tanks sent by mailboat to Nassau for filling; week turnaround,
Restaurant & Bar
- Kaye's Bar; 242-331-2816.
- Ocean View Restaurant & Bar; 242-331-2818.
- Two Sisters Takeaway. Will deliver to marina and government dock.
- Toby's Bar.
- Kaye's Last Chance Food Store.
- Strachan's One-Stop Shop Grocery.
Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
- Snorkeling guides can be arranged by marina.
- Huge coral heads to explore by snorkeling in Flamingo Bay.
- Wall dive by SCUBA just W of the reef that guards the W side of Flamingo Bay.
- Try VHF Ch16 for taxi service to airport.
- Hartford Cave is located the SW area of the cay. It has produced artifacts from the Lucayan-Arawak era.
- DVDs: Kaye's Last Chance Food Store.
Trash
- Trash bins are located in the settlement.
VHF Protocol
- Most businesses monitor VHF Ch-16.
- Sumner Point Marina; is not in operation and there are no services available due to hurricane damage.
- 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.