Little Harbour

The Johnston Legacy and Bronze Foundry

The story of Little Harbour begins in 1952 when Randolph Johnston, a Smith College art professor, sailed into the harbour aboard his schooner Langosta with his wife and four children. When the boat began to sink, the family took shelter in a large cave on the shore, sharing the space with bats and owls while they built a thatched-roof home. Johnston established a bronze casting foundry using the ancient lost-wax method—a 5,000-year-old technique requiring twelve collaborative steps.

The Johnston Studio remains the only working bronze foundry in The Bahamas. Three generations of the family have continued the tradition, producing sculptures that range from marine life to human figures. Their work has gained international recognition, with pieces displayed in museums worldwide, including the Vatican, which houses Johnston's sculpture titled St Peter: Fisher of Men. Visitors can tour the gallery adjacent to Pete's Pub and purchase works ranging from small keepsakes to major sculptural pieces.

Pete's Pub: Heart of the Community

Pete's Pub is far more than a beach bar—it is the social and cultural centre of Little Harbour. Established by the Johnston family, this open-air eatery serves fresh Bahamian seafood, including whatever the local fishermen bring in that day. The pub operates Thursday through Sunday, with lunch served from noon and dinner available later in the week.

The atmosphere is deliberately casual and welcoming, with historic murals, live music on occasion, and views of bronze sculptures scattered across the property. Pete's also maintains moorings in the harbour for visiting boats at approximately twenty dollars per night, with discounts for longer stays. The pub offers vacation cottage rentals, boat storage, and provisioning services, making it a one-stop destination for cruisers exploring the Southern Abacos.

Anchorage and Access

Little Harbour provides well-protected anchorage within a scenic natural harbour. The entrance channel carries approximately four feet at mean low water and seven feet at high tide, so deeper-draft vessels should time their arrival accordingly. Inside, depths range from six to twelve feet at low water. Pete's Pub maintains fourteen secure moorings; anchoring in the inner harbour is now restricted, so plan to pick up a mooring ball.

For vessels that draw too much to enter, nearby Lynyard Cay offers an alternative anchorage with dinghy access into Little Harbour. The settlement is also accessible by road from Marsh Harbour, roughly twenty-five kilometres to the north, via a scenic drive that ends on a white-sand track leading into the village. Explorer Charts AB-23 and AB-23A cover the area, and the Abaco Cruisers Net on VHF Channel 68 provides daily updates from 0815 to 0915.

Exploring the Surroundings

Beyond the foundry and pub, Little Harbour rewards visitors who take time to explore. Quiet beaches fringe the harbour, ideal for swimming, beachcombing, or simply relaxing. The nearby reefs and cays—including Sandy Cay Reef en route from the north—offer good snorkelling in clear Bahamian waters.

A footpath leads to the remains of the old Little Harbour Lighthouse, established in 1889 on a remote promontory at the harbour entrance. Though the light is no longer active—successive hurricanes destroyed both the original tower and its steel replacement—the hike offers panoramic views and a glimpse into the area's maritime history. Birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts will find plenty of interest in the surrounding mangroves and coastal bush.

Getting there

Little Harbour is most commonly reached by private yacht or charter catamaran, making it an ideal stop on a Southern Abacos itinerary. The harbour entrance is navigable for vessels drawing up to four feet at low tide or seven feet at high tide; deeper boats can anchor at nearby Lynyard Cay and dinghy in. By land, the settlement is accessible via a scenic drive from Marsh Harbour, approximately twenty-five kilometres to the north. The final stretch of road is unpaved white sand, adding to the village's remote character. There is no scheduled ferry service to Little Harbour.

Frequently asked questions

What are Pete's Pub hours and is a reservation needed?

Pete's Pub is generally open Monday through Wednesday for lunch (12-5pm) and Thursday through Sunday for lunch and dinner (12-4pm lunch, 6-9pm dinner). Reservations are not typically required, but it is wise to confirm hours in advance, especially during the off-season, by calling 242-577-5487 or emailing pete@petespub.com.

Can I visit the Johnston Art Foundry?

Yes, the foundry gallery is open to visitors and showcases bronze sculptures created on-site using traditional lost-wax casting methods. Pieces range from small affordable items to large commissioned works, and some of the foundry's sculptures are displayed in the Vatican and other major museums.

Is Little Harbour suitable for anchoring overnight?

Little Harbour offers a well-protected anchorage with moorings maintained by Pete's Pub at around twenty dollars per night. The inner harbour no longer permits anchoring, so plan to take a mooring ball. Vessels with deeper drafts can anchor off Lynyard Cay and dinghy into the harbour.