Hawksbill Cay, Exumas
Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park



Hawksbill Cay in an uninhabited cay and part of the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park. It has moorings, trails, beaches and snorkeling areas.

Warderick Wells Cay is the headquarters of Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park (ECLSP). The park is governed by the Bahamas National Trust. It was established in 1958 to preserve and maintain the delicate ecological balance of marine life in the Bahamas. The Trust operates National Parks throughout the Bahamas

There are no support facilities or services available in the at Hawksbill Cay other than moorings.

The Park is a special place to cruisers; many return year after year. If you are a member of this group, you will want to do something extra to support the Park: Ways for cruises to support Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park.

Explorer Chart: EX-12; EX-13
Anchorage

  • Anchoring is not permitted to interfere with the mooring fields.
Area Information / Tourism
  • See Hawksbill Cay Guide
  • Hawksbill Cay in an uninhabited cay and part of the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park. It has moorings, trails, beaches and snorkeling areas.
  • Warderick Wells Cay is the headquarters of Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park (ECLSP). The park is governed by the Bahamas National Trust. It was established in 1958 to preserve and maintain the delicate ecological balance of marine life in the Bahamas. The Trust operates National Parks throughout the Bahamas
  • There are no support facilities or services available in the at Hawksbill Cay other than moorings.
  • ECLSP is a special place to cruisers; many return year after year. If you are a member of this group, you will want to do something extra to support the Park: Ways for cruises to support Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park.
  • Exumas Visitors Guide. An free guide booklet available at many local businesses. It provides a good directory of services and attractions throughout the Exumas.
Ecology
Fishing
  • ECLSP is a no take zone by land and sea. Fishing, lobstering, shelling and conching are prohibited in the area which extends from Wax Cay Cut in the N to Conch Cut in the S and includes 4 nm on each side of the cays.
Government / Administrator
  • Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is administered by the Bahamas National Trust. There is an on-site Park Administrator and Wardens who manage and patrol the park.
  • Park headquarters is located on Warderick Wells Cay overlooking the northern anchorage. Contact on VHF Ch-09.
  • Park office hours are: Monday - Saturday: 0900-1200 and 1300-1600. Sunday: 0900-1200.
  • There are yacht moorings available at the bays on the central and S sections of the W coast of the cay
  • Moorings are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Mailboxes are located ashore for registration forms and mooring fee deposit envelopes.
Moorings
  • There are yacht moorings available at the bays on the central and S sections of the W coast of the cay
  • Moorings are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Mailboxes are located ashore for registration forms and mooring fee deposit envelopes.
Navigation
  • Caution: Northern and southern shore waters are very shallow. Explore on a rising tide to avoid stranding.
  • Caution: There are strong tidal currents in the cuts.
Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
Things to See & Do
Tides
  • Tides are about 20 min. before those in Nassau.
Trash
  • There is no facility for trash disposal - take it with you.
VHF Protocol
  • Park headquarters monitors VHF Ch-16 and Ch-09.
  • Use VHF Ch-09 to communicate with the Park to keep Ch-16 open.
  • Park headquarters monitors VHF Ch-09 after office hours for emergencies and mooring assignments for the current day only.
  • Standard Bahamas VHF Protocol: Ch-16 is for marine emergencies, safety, and hailing. It is also used by local Bahamian shore facilities for hailing. Communication traffic must be shifted to another channel.
Water
  • There is no source of potable water available in the Park for cruisers.
  • There is an old well on the cay but the potability of the water should not be trusted.
  • RO water is available for purchase at Highborne Cay, Compass Cay, Sampson Cay, and Staniel Cay.
Weather
  • Highborne Cay Marina broadcasts weather daily at 0730 on VHF Ch 06.
  • 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.

Updated: 19 Jan 13
Topics: 19 Jan 12