Subject: Bahamas – Grand Lucayan Waterway
Cruising News: I just returned from an 8 day trip to the Bahamas and wanted to report on some of the water and marinas we experienced.
After a 2 day stay at Port Lucaya, we took the Grand Lucayan Waterway to Dover Sound on to Little Bahama Banks and then on to Spanish Cay. The water depths in the Grand Lucayan Waterway were very good except for the very north end of the canal as you enter Dover Sound. We transited the water on a rising tide approximately 1 hour before high tide. We experienced at least 5 to 6 feet at the very north end going through the markers. The rest of the waterway carried at least 12 to 15 feet or more all the way through. Once you clear the last set of green and red markers into Dover sound, we had good water all the way to Spanish Cay. After having spoken to the Dockmaster in Port Lucaya and several other local boaters, they said as long as you head out on a rising tide and draw no more than 6 feet, you sould be able to trasit the canal without any problem. Take your time, slightly favor the green markers as you head out of the waterway into Dover Sound and go slow.
As far as marinas went, we stayed at Spanish Cay Marina, Green Turtle Club & Marina on Green Turtle Cay, Orchaid Bay on Great Guana Cay and The Boat Harbour on Marsh Harbor. All of the marinas were very nice and the staff extremely friendly. We were very impressed with Orchid Bay Marina on Great Guana Cay. These are very nice facilities and the staff went out of their way to make us feel welcome. If we were to go back any time soon, in addition to Orchaid Bay, I think we change our stay on Green Turtle and visit The Bluff House Marina. They have great facilities and incredible views of both the harbor and the sound. The value was very good and the diesel prices were excellent. From a value perspective, I might also be inclined to choose Conch Inn & Marina in Marsh Harbour. All in all, a great passage that was a lot of fun.
Capt. Keith Mckey

Keith ,
Tx for taking time to report’¦.Timely for our trip next month.
Brian Barr