Crooked Island Lodge & Marina
Remote southern Bahamas marina beneath the historic Bird Rock Lighthouse offering deepwater dockage and legendary bonefishing.
Crooked Island Lodge & Marina occupies one of the most remote positions in the Bahamian cruising circuit, where the 112-foot Bird Rock Lighthouse has guided mariners since the 19th century. Located at Pitts Town Point on Crooked Island's western shore, this full-service facility provides a critical waypoint for vessels transiting between the central Bahamas and the Caribbean.
With 42 slips accommodating yachts to 160 feet and consistent 10-foot depths throughout the basin, the marina handles serious cruising vessels in a setting that feels worlds away from civilization. The surrounding waters offer some of the least-pressured bonefishing flats in the Bahamas, while the island's 350 permanent residents maintain traditions unchanged for generations.
Marina Infrastructure
The well-protected marina basin maintains 10-foot mean low water depths throughout, with a marked approach channel offering 15 to 18 feet of clearance. Forty-two slips accommodate vessels up to 160 feet LOA, including wide catamaran berths designed for easier access. Shore power options include 30, 50, and 100 amp single-phase plus 100 amp three-phase service.
Dual fuel docks with six pumps draw from a 72,000-gallon fuel farm with primary and secondary filtration, ensuring reliable clean fuel even at this remote location. A state-of-the-art reverse osmosis water plant supplies high-quality fresh water to every slip.
Lodging and Amenities
Beyond the docks, Crooked Island Lodge operates eight air-conditioned guest rooms and six one-bedroom bungalows with efficiency kitchens, providing shoreside options for crews and guests. The on-site restaurant and bar serves Bahamian cuisine using locally caught seafood.
Additional amenities include a fish cleaning station, free WiFi throughout the property, laundry service, and 24-hour security. Car rentals arranged through the lodge allow exploration of this elongated island's scattered settlements and deserted beaches.
Bonefishing and Offshore Grounds
Crooked Island's extensive flats system ranks among the most productive and least-fished bonefishing destinations in the Bahamas. The Bight of Acklins, separating Crooked Island from neighboring Acklins Island, contains hundreds of square miles of wadeable flats where bonefish cruise undisturbed.
Offshore anglers find productive grounds on the Mira Por Vos Passage and the dropoffs along the island's Atlantic coast, with wahoo, tuna, and billfish available to those willing to run beyond the shelf. The marina serves as an ideal base for multiday fishing expeditions exploring waters that receive minimal pressure.
History and Navigation
The Bird Rock Lighthouse has marked Pitts Town Point since 1876, guiding vessels through the Crooked Island Passage that served as a major sailing route between the Americas and Europe. Christopher Columbus may have made his second New World landfall on Crooked Island in 1492, and the island's name reportedly derives from its shape when viewed from the sea.
Approaching mariners should contact the marina on VHF channel 16 when reaching the lighthouse for channel and docking guidance. The marked channel uses red and green buoy balls as advisory markers. After-dark arrivals are discouraged except in emergencies.
Getting there
Crooked Island Lodge Marina is located at Pitts Town Point on Crooked Island's western shore, approximately 225 miles southeast of Nassau. The approach is via the Crooked Island Passage, with Bird Rock Lighthouse marking the marina location. Contact the marina on VHF 16 when approaching the lighthouse for channel guidance. Colonel Hill Airport on Crooked Island receives scheduled flights from Nassau, with taxi service available to the marina.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Crooked Island Lodge Marina a port of entry?
- No. Vessels must clear customs and immigration at another Bahamian port of entry before or after visiting Crooked Island. The nearest ports of entry are in the Exumas or Long Island.
- How remote is Crooked Island?
- Very remote. The island has approximately 350 permanent residents and limited infrastructure beyond the lodge and marina. Provisions are basic, though the marina can arrange catering and supplies with advance notice.
- Is the bonefishing really that good?
- Yes. The Bight of Acklins and surrounding flats see minimal fishing pressure compared to more accessible Bahamian destinations. Guides familiar with the area can be arranged through the lodge.