Dollar Harbour, South Cat Cay
A secluded bank-side anchorage where turtles glide and the Bahamas spreads endlessly east.
Dollar Harbour is a secluded anchorage on the Great Bahama Bank side of South Cat Cay, roughly ten miles south of Bimini. The cay provides shelter from westerly winds while the endless shallow flats of the bank stretch east toward the Berry Islands. It is a place of solitude, sea turtles, and crystalline water that turns from pale aqua to emerald as clouds pass overhead.
This is a remote anchorage with no facilities and strong tidal currents that swing boats more than winds do. In settled conditions it rewards cruisers with pristine snorkeling, beachcombing, and the satisfaction of having the Bahamas almost entirely to themselves.
Approach and Positioning
Dollar Harbour is approached from the Great Bahama Bank to the east of South Cat Cay. The cay is private and under development, but anchoring in the surrounding waters is permitted. Pick your way in carefully, watching depths as you near the cay.
Position to balance shelter from the cay with swinging room for tidal current shifts. In winds under 15 knots, boats tend to swing with the current rather than the wind, so allow plenty of scope and room.
Holding, Current, and Protection
The bottom is sand with excellent clarity; you can often see your anchor set from the deck. Holding is generally good once dug in. The tidal current is the dominant factor here, strong enough to override light winds and swing boats through wide arcs.
The cay provides protection from west winds, and the sand banks fringing the Great Bahama Bank offer surprising shelter from easterly chop. In moderate conditions the anchorage is comfortable, though never flat calm. Strong fronts or north winds call for relocating to Bimini's protected waters.
What's Here
Dollar Harbour's appeal is its emptiness. Sea turtles are common, surfacing to breathe and grazing on the grass flats. The snorkeling is excellent in the clear bank water, and beachcombers can circumnavigate the cay by dinghy at high tide, dragging over sandbars as needed.
There are no facilities, no people, and often no other boats. The flats extend for miles, and at sunset the low cay silhouettes against colors that deepen through orange to purple. It is the kind of anchorage you remember long after you leave.
Getting there
Dollar Harbour is reached by sailing south from Bimini along the Cat Cays, then approaching South Cat Cay from the Great Bahama Bank to the east. The passage from Alice Town is roughly ten miles. Plan for daylight arrival to navigate the shallows visually and allow time to find a good anchoring spot.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you go ashore at South Cat Cay?
- South Cat Cay is private and under development. Anchoring in the surrounding waters is permitted, but going ashore may not be. Respect private property signs and focus on the water-based attractions.
- How strong is the current at Dollar Harbour?
- Strong enough that in winds under 15 knots, boats swing with the current rather than the wind. Allow plenty of scope and swinging room, and expect your boat to shift orientation with the tide.
- Is Dollar Harbour a good overnight anchorage?
- In settled conditions with west winds it is fine overnight, though never flat calm due to current. Relocate to Bimini in strong fronts or north winds for better protection.
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