Marsh Harbour
From CruisersWiki
Marsh Harbour
| Coords: 26°32.54′N, 77°03.83′W Chartlet: Chartlet Gallery: Photos |
| Marsh Harbour | |
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Marsh Harbour | |
| Flag: | Bahamas |
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| Port Control: | VHF - |
| Chart: | No.- |
| Notes about this port | |
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Background
Home to more than five thousand residents, Marsh Harbour is the third largest town in The Bahamas and the main focus of tourism in the Abacos. Marsh Harbour is a shipbuilding center, but tourism accounts for most of its revenues. A number of good inns are located here. Although the town doesn't have the quaint New England charm of either New Plymouth or Hope Town, it does have a shopping center and various other facilities not found in many Out Island settlements.
The settlement lies on a peninsula just off the smoothly paved Great Abaco Highway, which runs south through Great Abaco to Cherokee Point and Little Harbour. North of town, the road becomes S.C. Bootle Highway, another smooth stretch that runs north and west toward Treasure Cay and Little Abaco.
Marsh Harbour has the majority of services available in all of the Abacos, including a post office, bookstore, grocery stores, specialty shops, travel agencies, and laundries.
Notes on cruising/sailing in the region?
Climate & Weather
Climate and local general weather conditions?
Sources of weather information:
Charts
Submit the chart details that are required for safe navigation.
Radio Nets
The Abacos has an informally organized local VHF channel specifically designed to help yachtsmen who are not totally familiar with The Abacos' waters. Since many local and cruising yachtsmen standby on VHF 68, a convenient source of "local knowledge" or help in an emergency. Additionally, at 8:15 AM, the Abacos' most accurate local weather and sea conditions forecast is available. Medical and rescue help (through Bahamas Air Sea Rescue) stands by on VHF 83 out of Treasure Cay.
The Network begins its day at 8:15 each morning and continues for just over an hour. Weather reports are given, cruiser news and information is exchanged, newcomers and returnees welcomed to the area and those departing for stays elsewhere are bid a fond farewell. Advertisements for restaurants, bars and community events are announced free of charge and there is a special segment called the "open mike" which invites comments and advice from anyone in the area who can tune in to VHF 68.
If you are unable to receive the Abacos Cruisersnet on VHF 68 at 8:15 am, you can get it slightly delayed on the internet
Arrival/Approach
Making landfall
Port
Details
Customs & Immigration
See Bahamas
Check-in facilities
Details & where to berth, etc?
Marinas
Yacht Clubs
- Marsh Harbour Yacht Club
Anchorages
- Good holding and lots of room in a large well-protected anchorage. Some shoal spots (see chart).
Marine stores
Businesses of interest to cruisers
Haul-out/Repairs
Facilities?
Fuel and Water
Where available?
Groceries and Supplies
Garbage Disposal
?
Laundry
Available?
WiFi and Internet
?
Tourism & things to do ashore
Details.
Eateries
Security
Details?
Restrictions
References & Publications
- The Cruising Guide to Abaco, Bahamas: 2008 by Steve Dodge
- The Abaco Guide: A Cruising Guide to the Northern Bahamas Including Grand Bahama, the Bight of Abaco, and the Abacos by Stephen J. Pavlidis
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Routes/Passages To/From here
Popular routes, timing, etc.
Departure
Procedures for departures
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on the Cruiser Log Forum
External Links
Links to relevant websites.
Personal Experiences
- Marsh Harbour is the major supply port for Abaco and its Cays. Its central location makes it popular for folks who rent a slip at one of the marinas for a month to three months at a fairly low price and use it to venture out to the nearby cays from time to time. There are many restaurants, gift shops, grocery stores, etc. within a mile or so from the public dinghy dock. It's certainly not the most attractive harbor in the Abacos, but it's convenient and close to everywhere.
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