Allen’s Cay
Allen’s Cay is the first stop south of Nassau for most Exumas charters, and it is best known for the rock iguanas that come down to the beach. It is a short, easy hop that gets you out of the city on day one.
Why stop here
The group of small cays at the northern end of the Exumas chain shelters a pretty anchorage with clear water over sand. It is close enough to Nassau to reach in an afternoon, which makes it the natural first night of a southbound week. There is nothing ashore, which after a travel day is rather the point.
The iguanas
Northern Bahamian rock iguanas live on Leaf Cay and Allen’s Cay and are protected. They are used to visitors and will walk straight up the beach towards a tender. Do not feed them: it is illegal, it makes them aggressive, and grapes and lettuce make them ill. Watch from a few feet away and keep children close.
Anchoring and conditions
The anchorage sits between the cays and gets tidal current running through it, so yachts generally lie to the stream rather than the wind. It works well in the prevailing easterlies and less well when the wind goes into the north. Your captain will pick the spot and may move overnight if a front is coming.
What else to do
Snorkelling over the sandy patches is easy and good for beginners, and the beaches are empty by late afternoon once the Nassau day boats leave. Most crews run a tender tour of the surrounding cays before dinner.
Send us your dates and party size and we will put together a shortlist of crewed yachts that can take you here.