Gun Cay
A tiny cay with the Bahamas' first Imperial Lighthouse and the stingray haven of Honeymoon Harbour.
Gun Cay rises from the turquoise waters nine miles south of Bimini, an uninhabited speck of land marked by the Bahamas' first Imperial Lighthouse. Built in 1836, the distinctive red-and-white tower guided ships through these treacherous waters for nearly two centuries, finally automated in 1995 after generations of keepers lit its kerosene flame each night.
Today, Gun Cay draws visitors not to the lighthouse but to Honeymoon Harbour, a sheltered anchorage on the cay's northern shore where southern stingrays have gathered for over twenty years, swimming to greet boaters in crystal-clear shallow water.
The Historic Gun Cay Lighthouse
The Gun Cay Lighthouse was established in 1836, making it the first lighthouse built in the Bahamas by the Imperial Lighthouse Service. The 77-foot round stone tower, painted red on its upper half and white below, was constructed after shipwrecks throughout the Bahamas prompted concerned shipping interests to implore London to increase navigational aids in the colonies.
Remarkably, the lighthouse was still fueled by kerosene and lit nightly by resident keepers as late as 1995, when it was finally automated and converted to solar power. The original lens and turning mechanism were transferred to the Elbow Reef Lighthouse in 1936, connecting Gun Cay to another historic Bahamian beacon.
Honeymoon Harbour and the Stingrays
Honeymoon Harbour, a small anchorage on Gun Cay's northern shore, has become one of Bimini's most popular excursion destinations. For over twenty years, southern stingrays have gathered here to greet visitors, drawn by decades of feeding that has made them remarkably comfortable around humans.
The experience takes place in water just three feet deep, where anywhere from three to fifteen stingrays swim up to interact with visitors. The sandy bottom and crystal-clear water make Honeymoon Harbour ideal for families, with the shallow depth allowing even children to wade in and encounter these gentle creatures.
Visiting Gun Cay
Gun Cay is uninhabited and has no facilities, making it accessible only by private boat or organized excursion from North Bimini. Tour operators from Alice Town and Resorts World Bimini run regular trips to Honeymoon Harbour, typically lasting two to three hours and including time to feed and swim with the stingrays.
For yacht crews, Gun Cay offers anchorage off Honeymoon Harbour with the lighthouse visible from the water. The cay is often combined with visits to the nearby SS Sapona shipwreck or snorkeling at surrounding reefs, making it part of a full day exploring the southern Bimini chain.
Getting there
Gun Cay is reached by private boat or organized excursion from North Bimini. Tour operators from Alice Town and Resorts World Bimini offer Honeymoon Harbour stingray trips, typically departing in the morning and lasting two to three hours. The journey from Bimini takes approximately 20 minutes by fast boat. There are no facilities on the uninhabited cay.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you swim with stingrays at Honeymoon Harbour?
- Yes, Honeymoon Harbour on Gun Cay is famous for its friendly southern stingrays that have been gathering here for over twenty years. Visitors wade in shallow water (about three feet deep) to interact with, pet, and feed the stingrays.
- How old is the Gun Cay Lighthouse?
- The Gun Cay Lighthouse was established in 1836, making it the first lighthouse built in the Bahamas by the Imperial Lighthouse Service. It was maintained by resident keepers using kerosene until automation in 1995.
- Can you visit Gun Cay independently?
- Gun Cay is uninhabited with no facilities, so visiting requires a private boat or joining an organized tour from Bimini. Tour operators run regular trips to Honeymoon Harbour for stingray encounters.
Nearby
North Bimini
The closest Bahamian island to Florida, where Hemingway fished and the Goombay spirit runs deep.
ExploreSouth Bimini
The quieter Bimini island with a nature trail, shark research station, and the gateway airport.
ExploreAlice Town
The colorful fishing village where Hemingway wrote and rum-runners once ruled the docks.
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