Florida & Georgia - Sandy Point, Abacos

Does anyone have any experience with Sandy Point at the southern tip, actually SW of Great Abaco?

I'm looking for information concerning the water depth and dockage facilities.

I have stayed there several times and there are a couple of basic motels and a typical island restaurant serving typical Bahamian food (ie. good as long as you are not expecting too much). Lots of water depth leading up to the government dock, but mooring/tying up there is a little different.

Sandy point is a major lobstering town, and the people are some of the friendliest in the Bahamas (the town does not have a policeman because they say they do not need one). If you play basketball, be advised that the Sandy Point team has won the Bahamian National Championship several times - so if you or any of your crew want to play, you'll be welcome to join in one of their pick up games.

Ok, thanks. What I am trying to find out is dockage and depth.

Could a 4 foot draft be carried in there and is there a dock where it may tie up overnight? I see there is a little harbor creek that runs back behind the town, but I cannot tell how much water there is or if there is any available dockage.

There is plenty of depth for 4 foot draft at the public dock on the front side of the island (maybe 6-8 ft?). The creek that runs back behind town has a very shallow entrance where it goes around the island and is only navigable by small outboard boats. <- that said, I have not been to Sandy Point in about 6-7 years and a couple of hurricanes have passed over the area since my last visit, so that channel could have changed since my last visit. The last time I was there I got my 31 Contender on the back side of the island, but when I wanted to leave the next day it was low tide and I could not get out.

Ok, I see. I have a boat similar in size to your Contender, but plan to travel with a larger cushion boat (i.e., Formula 45).

I'm dying to check the place out, but am not sure the Formula will be able to overnight in acceptable fashion.

On the satellite, I can see maybe three docks, including the public dock, but I do not know which may be used overnight by visitors.

Further, while the folks seem nice over there--as you say--getting reliable information from this range has been difficult.

seems sandy point is a good place from which to fish the NW providence channel and hole in the wall. how are the accommodations/restaurants? thanks

I would not take the Formula to Sandy Point. Haven't been there in several years but it is shallow and not sure it would be friendly to a boat that size. Regarding restaurants or places to stay don't have any. It is a very small community.

C Skip R,

We have been told that very same thing about Andros and Spanish Wells, but loved both.

Can you elaborate a bit on why the Formula would not be appropriate there?

We are not tourists and do not need anything (e.g., restaurants, supplies, fuel...), except a secure place to dock the boat. I see at least 3 docks (from Satellite view), each looks large enough for the Formula and 4 feet is pretty shallow.


The potential problems I see are:


Not enough depth
Not allowed to tie up overnight at the public dock
Exposed dockage, such that the boat rolls or beats all night


Can anyone clarify on these points?

C Skip R,

We have been told that very same thing about Andros and Spanish Wells, but loved both.

Can you elaborate a bit on why the Formula would not be appropriate there?

We are not tourists and do not need anything (e.g., restaurants, supplies, fuel...), except a secure place to dock the boat. I see at least 3 docks (from Satellite view), each looks large enough for the Formula and 4 feet is pretty shallow.


The potential problems I see are:


Not enough depth
Not allowed to tie up overnight at the public dock
Exposed dockage, such that the boat rolls or beats all night

Can anyone clarify on these points?

BigBone
Since I haven't been there in a few years not sure its appropriate for me to comment too much. I do think you will have an issue with the depth and not sure about the condition of the docks since they may have changed. They were in pretty poor shape when I was there. Wish I could be of more help. Headed over to Green Turtle this week.
Skip

Ok, well the , good thing is that I plan to leave Lucaya at first light (no pun, FL) and run to Sandy Point. The mother ship (i.e., the Formula 45) will leave later and travel slower, unless I hook a nice YFT on the way. That way, I can duck into Sandy Point and have a look around long before the "big" boat gets that far.

So it doesn't have to work, but I'd sure like to spend a little time there.

Ok, well the , good thing is that I plan to leave Lucaya at first light (no pun, FL) and run to Sandy Point. The mother ship (i.e., the Formula 45) will leave later and travel slower, unless I hook a nice YFT on the way. That way, I can duck into Sandy Point and have a look around long before the "big" boat gets that far.

So it doesn't have to work, but I'd sure like to spend a little time there.


Let me know how the run to Sandy Point goes?

Please post up your experience

Sure will do. At the least, I'll have to get some local conch.