George Town and Elizabeth Harbour: anchoring, docking and Stocking Island
George Town, Great Exuma and Elizabeth Harbour for boaters: where boats anchor, the Exuma Yacht Club marina, Lake Victoria dinghy dock and Stocking Island.
George Town, founded in 1793 on Great Exuma, is the capital of the Exuma district, with a population of 1,4371. Boats anchor in clusters in Elizabeth Harbour, which Great Exuma shields to the southwest and Stocking Island to the northeast2. A water taxi reaches Stocking Island from George Town in about five minutes3.
- At a glance
- Founded
- 1793, on Great Exuma1
- Population
- 1,4371
- Harbour shelter
- Great Exuma SW, Stocking Island NE2
- Stocking Island
- About 5 min by water taxi3
- Snorkel buoys
- 16 locations in the harbour2
- Exuma Yacht Club marina
- Boats up to 120 ft4
On this page
George Town sits on Great Exuma, on the shore of Elizabeth Harbour. This page covers how the town and the harbour fit together for boaters; the wider picture sits in the boating hub.
What is George Town like?
George Town is the capital and largest town of the Exuma district, with a population of 1,4371. Settlers founded it in 1793 on Great Exuma and named it in honour of George III, to whom they kept their loyalty1. Great Exuma connects to Little Exuma by a small bridge1.
The town is home to government offices, shops and services that serve both visitors and residents1. Wikipedia listed a police station, a gas station, a hotel, two grocery stores and three liquor stores within the town proper in 20211. Exuma International Airport serves George Town directly from Nassau, Miami, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Charlotte and Toronto1. Elizabeth Harbour was allegedly a favorite lair of Captain Kidd1.
Where do boats anchor in Elizabeth Harbour?
Great Exuma protects Elizabeth Harbour to the southwest, and the long, narrow Stocking Island protects it to the northeast2. The harbour has few full-service marinas, so boats anchor in clusters in the main harbour2.
Protected spots abound, but the main harbour can get windy, which makes dinghy rides wet and rugged2. A channel entrance leads from the harbour to Moriah Harbour Cay National Park, a 16,000-acre marine ecosystem2. For the anchoring rules of the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park, read the anchoring rules guide.
Where can you dock and shop in George Town?
Exuma Yacht Club’s marina offers dockage for boats up to 120 feet, with breakwater protection, power, water and fuel4. The club also runs a boutique hotel with an on-site restaurant and bar4.
For groceries, Exuma Markets has its own dinghy dock in Lake Victoria, with a free fresh water supply5. It also offers online shopping with delivery to hotels, marinas and Airbnbs5. The fuel, water and provisioning guide covers fuel and water across the Exumas.
How do you get to Stocking Island?
Stocking Island is a short boat ride from George Town’s Government Dock, and a water taxi takes about five minutes3. It is a small barrier island just off George Town with very few permanent residents3.
At Chat ‘N’ Chill on Stocking Island, beachgoers eat conch salads and drink with their toes in the sand3. The Stocking Island page has more, and the George Town and Great Exuma guide covers the island side.
Where can you snorkel in Elizabeth Harbour?
Snorkeling buoys maintained by the Elizabeth Harbour Conservation Partnership mark 16 top snorkeling locations inside the harbour, including Turtle Lagoon, Mystery Cave and Fowl Cay Reef Restoration2.
For the trip north, see George Town to Staniel Cay.
Read next
Stocking Island, Exuma: beaches, snorkeling and getting there from George Town
Stocking Island sits 1 mile across the harbor from George Town, Exuma: how to get there, Chat 'n' Chill hours, snorkeling, the Beacon and where to stay.
placesGeorge Town, Great Exuma: things to do, the regatta and how to get there
George Town is the capital of the Exuma district on Great Exuma: Elizabeth Harbour, the Straw Market, the regatta, Stocking Island and how to get there.
getting thereGeorge Town to Staniel Cay: flights, mailboat, tours and Customs
How to get from George Town on Great Exuma to Staniel Cay: flights via Nassau or Fort Lauderdale, the Captain C mailboat, day tours, and where to clear in.
Questions people ask
What is there to do in George Town, Exuma?
Take the water taxi to Stocking Island, about five minutes from the Government Dock, and eat conch salad at Chat 'N' Chill3. Snorkel one of the 16 buoyed locations in Elizabeth Harbour2, or stock up at Exuma Markets, which has its own dinghy dock in Lake Victoria5.
Where do boats anchor in Elizabeth Harbour?
Few full-service marinas serve the harbour, so boats anchor in clusters in the main harbour2. Great Exuma protects the harbour to the southwest and long, narrow Stocking Island to the northeast2.
How do you get from George Town to Stocking Island?
Stocking Island is a short boat ride from George Town's Government Dock, and a water taxi takes about five minutes3.
Sources (5)
- Exuma - Wikipedia
Wikipedia · en.wikipedia.org · checked 2026-10-18 - Elizabeth Harbour - Southern Boating & Yachting
Southern Boating & Yachting · southernboating.com · checked 2026-10-18 - Stocking Island: The Exumas - Bahamas.comTOURISM
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (bahamas.com) · bahamas.com · checked 2026-10-18 - Exuma Yacht Club and MarinaOPERATOR
Exuma Yacht Club · exumayachtclub.net · checked 2026-10-18 - Exuma Markets, George Town, Exuma (operator listing)OPERATOR
Bahamas Marinas (operator listing) · bahamasmarinas.com · checked 2026-10-18
Photo credits (1)
- Rüdiger Stehn / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
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