Great Guana Cay
Seven miles of beach, a legendary beach bar, and the Abacos' easy barefoot pulse.
Great Guana Cay runs roughly five and a half miles along the eastern edge of the Sea of Abaco, its ocean side backed by a near-continuous ribbon of beach and a living barrier reef. Its motto — "It's better in the Bahamas, but it's gooder in Guana" — captures the cay's relaxed, barefoot spirit.
The settlement is small and welcoming, but Guana is best known for its beach bars. Sunday at Nipper's, with its hilltop pool decks above the dunes, is one of the most famous parties in the out islands.
Nipper's & the beach bars
Nipper's Beach Bar & Grill sits on a dune overlooking the Atlantic reef, its multi-level decks painted in tropical colours. The legendary Sunday pig roast draws boaters from across the Abacos, and the frozen "Nipper" cocktail is a rite of passage. Just along the beach, Grabbers offers a mellower sunset-facing scene on the Sea of Abaco side.
Between the two, you can spend a full day moving from reef snorkel to beach to bar without ever putting your shoes back on.
Beaches & snorkelling
The ocean-side beach stretches for about seven miles, rarely crowded once you walk beyond the bars. The barrier reef lies close to shore, with healthy coral heads and tropical fish reachable by snorkellers on calm days — among the most accessible reef snorkelling in the Abacos.
The protected Sea of Abaco side offers calm anchorages and easy swimming.
Getting around & marinas
Golf carts are the way to move around the cay. Orchid Bay and other marina facilities provide moorings, slips and provisioning on the harbour side. The northern end of the cay is dominated by the large Baker's Bay private development, but the settlement and beaches retain their unhurried character.
Getting there
By private charter, Great Guana Cay is an easy sail from Marsh Harbour or Hope Town, with moorings and marina slips on the harbour side. Ferries also run from Marsh Harbour. Many charters time a visit around Sunday to catch the Nipper's pig roast.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Great Guana Cay famous for?
- Its beaches and beach bars — especially Nipper's Beach Bar & Grill, known for its Sunday pig roast and frozen "Nipper" cocktail — plus a near-shore barrier reef that makes for excellent, accessible snorkelling.
- How long is the beach on Great Guana Cay?
- The ocean-side beach runs for roughly seven miles, with the barrier reef close to shore. It is rarely crowded once you walk beyond the main beach bars.
- How do you get to Great Guana Cay?
- By private charter directly to a mooring or marina, or by ferry from Marsh Harbour. Golf carts are used to get around once ashore.