Sampson Cay - Note "Closed" Sign on Photo's Right Side

We have just received confirmation that the Sampson Cay Club, Exumas, Bahamas, is closing as a commercial facility and will become the private island of it’s owner, John Malone. One of our loyal partners was cruising in the area and took the pictures, depicted below, showing that Sampson was “Closed for Renovations,” and then an article in the Nassau Guardian (excerpted below) confirmed that Mr. Malone would not re-open to the public.
Then, just yesterday, we heard from SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Staniel Cay Yacht Club’s owner (http://www.stanielcay.com/), David Hocher, that indeed Sampson is closed, and not likely to ever reopen to the public again. More importantly, as you will see in the note from Mr. Hocher below, Staniel Cay is ready, willing and able to provide ALL the services cruisers once looked to find at Sampson Cay.

Sampson Cay Sign

This is a rather BIG DEAL for these waters, because in the central Exumas, Sampson Cay was one of three functioning marinas, along with Compass Cay Marina and Staniel Cay Yacht Club. The closure of Sampson Cay effectively eliminates about 40% of the available slips in the area.
So, having spent some time at Staniel Cay Yacht Club ourselves, I can attest, with no fear of relaying any sort of inaccuracy, this is an absolutely FIRST-CLASS establishment in every way, with plentiful fuel (see below), superb dining, plus a great bar, and plenty of wet slip dockage. In short, if you are cruising the Exumas, this is THE place to be!
You can also read the excerpt below, taken from a “Nassau Guardian” article to learn more about the closing of Sampson Cay!

Sampson Cay has closed and announced that it does not intend to re-open as a “public” establishment. We [at Staniel Cay Yacht Club] have made arrangements to increase our fuel supply to cover the increased demand. Other services that they provided (store and laundry) will be absorbed by the existing local establishments on Staniel and Blackpoint. In terms of actual dock space, Staniel Cay Yacht Club and Compass Cay are now the only two options in our area of the Exumas.
We warmly invite all the former patrons of Sampson Cay to Staniel Cay Yacht Club. We are waiting to serve you!
Regards,
David Hocher

Excerpted From “The Nassau Guardian” (http://www.thenassauguardian.com)
Billionaire shuts down Exuma island resort
Allison Lowe
Guardian Business Editor
alison@nasguard.com

A popular Great Exuma resort and marina has shut its doors, in a move which will lead to job losses for employees and a reduction in destinations for visiting boaters, Guardian Business has learned.
The Sampson Cay Club, owned by billionaire telecommunications mogul John Malone, was taken out of commercial use by it owner in August, and will not be reopened.
The property includes five villas, a restaurant and a marina.
IN an emailed statement sent to Guardian Business yesterday, Christine Stewart, island manager for Sampson Cay Club, confirmed the closure.
“The Sampson Cay Club closed for renovations August 1, 2013. When the renovations are complete, the island will not reopen for business. It will be the owner’s private island for use by his family and his guests. Mr. Malone’s decision to go private had many contributing factors.”
“The bottom line is that over the time that he has owned the island, his usage has changed, and he now wants to be able to enjoy this Bahamian paradise with his family and friends.”
Malone served as chef executive office of cable and giant, Tele-Communications Inc., for 24 yers from 1973 to 1996.
He is now chairman of Liberty Media and Liberty Global, and CEO of Discovery Holding Company, and was recently recognized as the “largest landowner in the United States” by Fortune Magazine.

When I was there [at Sampson Cay – Editor] in late June, I wasn’t impressed by the level of service we received ‘“ the staff seemed as if they could care less about our presence. I imagine they were already aware of what was coming. I was sorry I didn’t go to Staniel, but I’d wanted my crew to see what this place was like. I imagine anchoring and going ashore there will now be impossible.
Another piece of paradise lost to the common man. How long, I wonder, before the Bahamas is ‘˜sold out’?
Wally Moran

Disappointing to hear this, but billionaires certainly need their privacy.
So much for the public good.
Gregory Yount

A sad day for southern Bahamas cruisers and another billionaire erecting no trespassing signs. It is a good time to remind them of what I believe is Bahamian law, that all Bahamians (and I presume seafarers) have the common law right to use the foreshore (the area between the average high and low tide marks) and beach for swimming, fishing and navigation. So enjoy your picnic notwithstanding the sign when you arrive by dinghy.
Chuck Waygood

Sampson Cay will surely be missed. The docks are much more secure weatherwise than either Compass or Staniel.. I enjoyed many nights `snugged up tight’ in Sampson waiting for a Norther to blow out so I could return to the Big Majors Spot anchorage where I spent 2 months one winter. Lovely Islands’¦’¦’¦..lovely people; the best cruising grounds in the world!.
Howard Means

March 12, 2014
Well, it is certainly a sad time for the boating community that enjoyed the marina and its services. I am all for freedom to do as you please and manage your holdings in the way you desire. It is the American way and that is Mr Malones choice. Why should he not do with it as he pleases? He owns it..
The water and the lovely sand bar that surround sampson key , he does not own.. That is the loveliest part and still available to the boaters and locals to enjoy, swimming , snorkeling and just loving the beauty of the bahamas,
I say’¦ live and let live.. Good going, Mr Malone’¦. You have done well and deserve to enjoy your island with your friends and family..
I would possibly do the same’¦Freedom is good’¦freedom is the key to living life as it should be lived.. Think of the alternative’¦ some people aren’t so free. lets rejoice in our freedom.
Susan Castellanos

Really sad to know that there is not more Samson Marina summer vacations, it will be miss in the family !
Albert Vivas