Warderick Wells North Mooring Field

Approach and Mooring Procedures

The north mooring field is approached from the banks via Warderick Wells Cut and Wide Opening, historically one of the safest passages between Exuma Sound and the banks. Twenty-two mooring balls accommodate vessels of various sizes, including one rated for yachts up to 180 feet.

Moorings are assigned by the park office and cannot be reserved in advance. Contact ECLSP on VHF Channel 9 at 0900 to request a mooring; assignments are broadcast before 0930. A waiting list is maintained, and requests can be made 24 hours ahead. Always consult Explorer Charts and current cruising guides for approach waypoints and depths — conditions change and this guide provides general orientation only.

Protection and Conditions

The J-shaped harbour provides excellent protection from the prevailing easterlies and offers shelter from most wind directions. The inner moorings are particularly well protected, though strong reversing tidal currents flow through the field — be prepared when picking up your mooring ball.

In settled weather, conditions are calm and the holding reliable for the park-maintained mooring tackle. During unsettled weather or frontal passages, the north field remains a safe choice, though swell can work in during strong northeast winds.

Ashore and Nearby

The park headquarters sits on the hill above the mooring field, with a small visitor centre, gift shop, and the famous whale skeleton display. Miles of marked hiking trails lead to Boo Boo Hill (leave a piece of driftwood for good luck), Loyalist ruins, and spectacular overlooks of the turquoise banks.

Snorkelling directly from your boat reveals healthy coral heads and abundant marine life protected by decades of conservation. The park's strict rules — no fishing, no collecting, no anchoring — are the reason this ecosystem thrives.

Approach and Docking Procedures

The north mooring field at Warderick Wells is approached via Warderick Wells Cut or Wide Opening from the banks side. Warderick Cut enjoys a reputation as one of the finest passages in the Bahamas, being wide, deep, and straight. The outer moorings at the northern entrance are marked by red and green buoys, with a narrower channel of approximately 7.5 feet at mean low water leading into the main horseshoe-shaped basin.

Contact the park on VHF Channel 9 at 0900 daily to request a mooring. Assignments are announced before 0930, and your boat name will be broadcast when a ball is available. No reservations are accepted, though requests can be made up to 24 hours in advance. A waiting list is maintained for busy periods. Be prepared for strong reversing tidal currents when picking up your ball, as water flows vigorously through the harbour on each tide change. Tides at Warderick Wells run approximately 20 minutes ahead of the Nassau tide station. This information is for general orientation only and should not be used for navigation; always consult official charts and cruising guides.

Facilities and Services

The park headquarters sits on the hill overlooking the mooring field, with office hours Monday through Saturday from 0900 to 1200 and 1300 to 1600, and Sunday mornings from 0900 to 1200. A small retail store offers clothing, charts, souvenirs, and a book exchange with DVD rentals. WiFi is available for a daily fee or limited data allowance.

A dinghy pier serves visiting vessels, though it can become crowded during peak season. Use a longer painter to allow space for others. There is no potable water, fuel, pumpout station, or trash disposal at Warderick Wells. Plan to arrive self-sufficient and depart with your garbage. Ice may occasionally be available at the office, but do not count on it. Mooring fees are assessed per foot of vessel length, payable online through the Bahamas National Trust website or at the park office.

Hiking and Exploration Ashore

The island offers an extensive network of well-maintained hiking trails, with maps available at the park office. The most celebrated route leads to Boo Boo Hill, whose summit delivers panoramic views over the turquoise banks and surrounding cays. At the top, a makeshift shrine of driftwood pieces left by visiting cruisers honors a tradition dating back decades. Leave a piece with your boat name for good luck; pallets of scrap wood are left near the dinghy dock for this purpose.

Other trails wind past the preserved whale skeleton near park headquarters, through dense native vegetation, and to the Loyalist-era Russell family estate ruins, offering a glimpse of 18th-century settler life. Saturday evenings often feature a social hour with a bonfire beginning around 1800, a highlight for many cruisers. Snorkelling directly from your moored vessel reveals healthy coral heads and abundant marine life protected by decades of strict no-take enforcement.

Who It Suits and When to Visit

Warderick Wells is the destination for cruisers seeking pristine waters, world-class snorkelling, and the camaraderie of fellow sailors in a protected natural environment. It suits those who value self-sufficiency and want to disconnect from provisioning worries for a few days while exploring trails and reefs.

The mooring field is busiest from late November through April, when weather windows bring the cruising fleet south. Arriving midweek improves your chances of securing a ball. Frontal passages are manageable here, as the north field offers excellent protection from most directions, though strong northeast winds can push swell into the harbour. Summer brings fewer boats, warmer water, and easier mooring availability, balanced against increased hurricane awareness and reduced park staffing.

Getting there

Warderick Wells lies in the central Exuma Cays, roughly midway between Nassau and Georgetown. Most cruisers approach from the banks via Warderick Wells Cut or Wide Opening, both among the easier passages from Exuma Sound. The north mooring field is approximately 35 nautical miles south of Highborne Cay and 25 nm north of Staniel Cay. Plan to arrive with time to request a mooring at the 0900 VHF roll call — the park does not accept advance reservations.

Frequently asked questions

Can you anchor at Warderick Wells?

No. Anchoring is prohibited throughout the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. All vessels must use park-maintained mooring balls, which are assigned by the park office.

How do you get a mooring at Warderick Wells?

Contact the park office on VHF Channel 9 at 0900 daily. You will be placed on a waiting list if no moorings are available. Requests can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Moorings are first-come, first-served with a two-night limit per ball.

Is fishing allowed at Warderick Wells?

No. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is a strict no-take zone. Fishing, lobstering, spearfishing, shelling, and collecting of any kind are prohibited throughout the park boundaries.

What are the current mooring fees at Warderick Wells?

Fees are assessed per foot of vessel length. As of recent reports, vessels under 90 feet pay approximately $0.50 per foot per night, while vessels over 90 feet pay approximately $1.00 per foot. Payment is accepted online through the Bahamas National Trust website or at the park office. Confirm current rates with ECLSP on arrival, as fees are subject to change.

Is there a dinghy dock at Warderick Wells?

Yes. A dinghy pier serves visiting cruisers near the park headquarters. It can become crowded during peak season, so use a longer painter to allow other dinghies to raft alongside or tie stern-to. Be courteous and move your dinghy promptly after loading supplies or returning from hikes.

What is the Boo Boo Hill driftwood tradition?

Cruisers visiting Boo Boo Hill traditionally leave a piece of driftwood inscribed with their boat name at the summit shrine. The tradition honours sailors who have passed through these waters and is said to bring good luck. Scrap wood pallets are provided near the dinghy dock for those wishing to participate.