Elizabeth Harbour - Sand Dollar Beach

Approach and Mooring

Elizabeth Harbour is entered via Conch Cay Cut on the northwest end or North Channel Rocks Cut on the southeast end. Consult current charts for approach waypoints and hazard locations, as conditions change.

Sand Dollar Beach mooring field lies on the southern Stocking Island shore, identifiable by the mooring balls and the beach. The 43 moorings accommodate vessels up to 60 feet. Book moorings through Dockwa, with weekly and monthly discounts available. Anchoring remains permitted in designated areas throughout Elizabeth Harbour.

Holding and Protection

The Sand Dollar Beach area offers some of the calmest water in Elizabeth Harbour, protected by Stocking Island from ocean swells and by surrounding cays from most wind directions. Mooring balls are professionally maintained for reliable holding.

For those anchoring elsewhere in Elizabeth Harbour, holding is generally good in sand. The harbour provides protection from most directions given the surrounding cays, though some areas can become rolly in certain wind patterns. Red Shanks mooring field offers an alternative with 34 balls.

What's Ashore and Nearby

Sand Dollar Beach provides a pristine stretch of sand adjacent to Moriah Harbour Cay National Park, excellent for beachcombing and swimming. The snorkeling off Stocking Island offers healthy reef ecosystems close to shore.

Chat 'N' Chill beach bar lies a short dinghy ride north at Volleyball Beach, famous for its conch burgers, Sunday pig roast, and quintessential Bahamian beach bar atmosphere. Georgetown proper on Great Exuma offers provisioning, restaurants, fuel, and yacht services.

Practical Considerations

Elizabeth Harbour sees 150-300 boats during peak season (December-April), creating a vibrant cruiser community with daily radio nets, organized activities, and social events. The annual Georgetown Regatta draws hundreds of participants.

Anchor lights are required in all anchorages. Avoid anchoring in marked channels. Direct sewage discharge is prohibited with fines up to $4,000. The harbour monitors VHF Channel 16. Provisioning, fuel, and yacht services are available in Georgetown.

Getting there

Elizabeth Harbour lies at the southern end of the Exumas, approximately 75 nautical miles from Nassau via the Exuma Banks. Enter via Conch Cay Cut (northwest) or North Channel Rocks Cut (southeast). Georgetown has its own airport with scheduled flights from Nassau. Consult Explorer Charts EX-24 and EX-25 for detailed approaches to Elizabeth Harbour.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book a mooring at Sand Dollar Beach?

Moorings at Sand Dollar Beach can be booked through the Dockwa app, with weekly and monthly discounts available. The mooring field accommodates vessels up to 60 feet.

Is Chat 'N' Chill close to Sand Dollar Beach?

Yes. Chat 'N' Chill at Volleyball Beach is approximately a five-minute dinghy ride north from Sand Dollar Beach mooring field.

When is the best time to visit Elizabeth Harbour?

The cruiser community is most active from December through April, when 150-300 boats gather in the harbour. This is also when the annual Georgetown Regatta and most organized cruiser activities take place.