Morgans Bluff

Navigation Morgans Bluff is the loading port for drinking water shuttled to Nassau. The barges (some are actually fair-sized tankers) operate continuously. Keep an eye out for them when you’re in the harbor or in Northeast Providence Channel. The only safe approach to Morgans Bluff is from the northeast via the wide and deep (6 meters) Morgans Bluff Channel. The channel buoys are poorly maintained and difficult to see, but the approach is straightforward. Use the range poles on Joanne Point as a guide. There is a natural channel running inside the barrier reef, but it requires the very best conditions and a shoal-draft boat. The routes inside the reef are circuitous and demand expert eyeballing, especially over the prevalent areas of rock and dark, grass bottom. Nicholls Town is spread out along the northeast coast. It is not easy to get to, except in settled weather and good light. Nicholls Town can be accessed via the inside route, as described above, or through Bethel Channel, which cuts through the barrier reef. Use the two black range poles on shore. Keep your eyes on the water, the range, and the reefs; you do not want to stray from the channel here. Once the reef is behind you, turn north and keep close to the shore until you reach Nicholls Town. There is a public dock at Morgans Bluff’s commercial harbor. Delivery of fuel, supplies, and provisions to the dock can be arranged through the harbormaster. Nicholls Town has a small dock near the day anchorage, but getting provisions requires a little running around. WARNING: Any route along the inside of the reef requires optimal light and settled weather. Numerous grass patches obscure coral heads on the inside passage, requiring experience with eyeball navigation to move safely through. Anchorages Once you are clear of Morgans Bluff, turn south into the cove west of Morgans Bluff (Coleby Bay), where you’ll find good hold in 2 meters. This is not the place to be in a northerly blow. Even in settled weather, there is a slight surge in the cove. The smaller, inner basin (Commercial Harbor) offers all-around protection. Vessels can tie up to the rubber tires along the wall, raft up to another vessel, or Med-moor in here, but space is severely limited. A fair-weather, day-use anchorage is available off the public dock in Nicholls Town. About 0.5 miles offshore, the reef helps to break the swell, but it doesn’t protect against strong winds and seas. General Morgans Bluff can be used as a port of entry, as officials will come to the commercial harbor from San Andros airport. For details on clearing in and out of customs, contact the harbormaster (VHF 16), who can also facilitate delivery of fuel, water, and other needed items to the commercial harbor dock. These are not cruising harbors, although there are tourist businesses in Nicholls Town that can accommodate some of your provisioning and supply needs. Most of the hotels have restaurants.