Volleyball Beach (Chat 'N' Chill)

Approach and Mooring

Volleyball Beach lies on the southwestern shore of Stocking Island in Elizabeth Harbour. The Gaviota Bay East mooring field provides 21 moorings for vessels visiting Chat 'N' Chill and the surrounding area.

Approach Elizabeth Harbour via Conch Cay Cut or North Channel Rocks Cut and proceed to the Stocking Island shore. Be careful not to anchor in the channel along the north side of Gaviota Bay, which services yacht traffic. Consult current charts for precise waypoints and hazard locations.

Holding and Protection

The mooring field at Gaviota Bay East is professionally maintained. For those anchoring in nearby areas of Elizabeth Harbour, holding is generally good in sand.

Protection is good from most directions given the surrounding cays. Stocking Island shields the anchorage from ocean swells. As with all Elizabeth Harbour anchorages, some wind patterns can create uncomfortable conditions in certain spots.

What's Ashore

Chat 'N' Chill is the centerpiece, operating a bar and restaurant from 11 AM to 7 PM, 363 days per year. The conch burgers are legendary, the frozen Nipper-style cocktails flow freely, and the Sunday pig roast has been Stocking Island's biggest social event since 2001.

Beyond the bar, Volleyball Beach offers stingray feeding, nature hikes, volleyball courts, and over 1,000 feet of pristine white sand beach with magnificent sunsets. The laid-back, authentically island atmosphere draws cruisers, day-trippers, and visitors from around the world.

Practical Considerations

The beach and bar get crowded during peak season, especially on Sundays for the pig roast and when cruiser events are scheduled. Arriving by mid-morning on busy days secures better mooring or anchoring positions.

Georgetown on Great Exuma provides full provisioning, fuel, and yacht services a short dinghy ride across the harbour. Water taxi service runs from Georgetown to Stocking Island beaches. Elizabeth Harbour monitors VHF Channel 16.

Getting there

Volleyball Beach lies on Stocking Island in Elizabeth Harbour at the southern end of the Exumas. Enter Elizabeth Harbour via Conch Cay Cut or North Channel Rocks Cut and proceed to the Stocking Island shore. Water taxis also run from Georgetown to Stocking Island beaches. Georgetown has a commercial airport with scheduled flights from Nassau.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Sunday pig roast at Chat 'N' Chill?

The Sunday pig roast has been Stocking Island's biggest social event since 2001. Arrive by mid-day for the best experience, as the bar operates from 11 AM to 7 PM.

Can I dinghy to Chat 'N' Chill from other Elizabeth Harbour anchorages?

Yes. Chat 'N' Chill is accessible by dinghy from anchorages throughout Elizabeth Harbour. The bar welcomes visitors from any anchorage position.

What food is Chat 'N' Chill famous for?

The conch burgers are legendary. Caribbean Travel and Life Magazine described them as worth swimming ashore for. Fresh grilled native foods and tropical drinks round out the menu.