Highborne Cay

Navigation Highborne Cay is easily identified by its 30-meter-high hills and 80-meter-tall Batelco tower. A dangerous reef protrudes for nearly 1.75 miles west of Highborne Cay and must be avoided. The narrow passage between the reef and Highborne Cay carries just 1.2 meters of water and should only be attempted by shoal-draft vessels in good sunlight. From the south on Exuma Bank, the deepest water is at least 2 nautical miles west of the islands. This route avoids the shoals off Normans Cay and Tea Table Cay. From the waypoint west of the southern tip of Highborne Cay, a bearing of 87 degrees (true) puts you in line with the range just south of the marina. Leave the small cay with the white stake to the south, keeping in mind the strong current flowing through this entrance. You’ll find a second set of range markers on shore, near the rock jetty, that will guide you into the marina. From the east on Exuma Sound, eyeball navigation will help you spot the deep-water channel into the marina. There is a strong cross-current on the approach. South Highborne Cut (a.k.a. Long Cay Cut), as with many passages between Exuma Sound and Exuma Bank, can be dangerous in high easterly winds. Stay well to the south of the coral bar that extends off the southern end of Highborne Cay. From the northwest, as if coming from Nassau, the route from Porgee Rocks is about 30 nautical miles long and cuts across Yellow Bank. Widely spaced, black coral heads can easily be seen against the sandy bottom of Yellow Bank. Do not attempt to cross the bank when the sun is in your eyes (before 11 a.m.) or at night. Keep a sharp lookout at all times. An alternative route west and south of Yellow Bank to avoid the coral heads will add about 6 nautical miles to the journey. Berthing: The marina can accommodate vessels up to 32 meters (105 feet) LOA and 2.7 meters of draft. Water (RO), gas and diesel, laundry, provisions, catering and trash disposal are available. Anchorages There is good holding and protection from easterly winds in the anchorages off the western shores of the cays. General The islands here are private and going ashore is by invitation only. At Rudder Cut Cay you will find a good hurricane hole with 1.7 m of water at the entrance at low water.