Hawksbill Cay, Exumas: camping permit, park rules and location

Hawksbill Cay is a small island inside the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park, and one of three camping spots in the park¹. The park rules apply on the cay and around it.

Where is Hawksbill Cay?

Hawksbill Cay sits at about 24.484° N, 76.767° W, a centre point taken from OpenStreetMap³. The park stretches from Shroud Cay in the north to Bell Cay in the south⁴, and Hawksbill sits inside the boundary corners the Bahamas National Trust publishes². A cruising log gives the run from Shroud Cay to Hawksbill as about 6 nautical miles⁷.

The park boundaries map shows the park’s limits, and the places hub lists the other cays in the Exumas.

Can you camp at Hawksbill Cay?

Camping is only allowed at Hawksbill, Warderick Wells and O’Briens¹.

Acquire a camping permit: $250, valid for a maximum of 10 days¹.

Step	Rule
Permit	$250, valid for a maximum of 10 days1
Daily user fee	$25.00 per person per day, for camping and kayaking1
Notice	Notify park headquarters at least two weeks before the planned camping date1
Tents	On the beaches only1
Stoves	For cooking only1

The two-week notice is there so your dates do not clash with other park users¹. Park headquarters is on Warderick Wells⁴; read the headquarters guide for what the office does. You can call the office on VHF channel 09, hailing “Exuma Park”². The office sits on a remote small island, so reaching it can be hard².

What are the ruins on Hawksbill Cay?

A cruising log from Elizabeth M Sailing calls them one of the best preserved Loyalist ruins in the Bahamas and says the cay belonged to the Russell family from 1785 to 1830⁷. The log describes the remains of 10 houses and numerous outbuildings, plus a beehive oven used for cooking and for incinerating conch shells, which were used to make the mortar lining the walls of the homes⁷. It also describes what appeared to be a natural cistern, mostly dry⁷.

The same log says the path to the ocean-side beach is marked with bits of rope, buoys and other sea debris⁷. Stay on marked trails, as the park rule says¹. These details come from one cruising log, not from the Trust.

Where can you moor at Hawksbill Cay?

The Bahamas Cruisers Guide says yacht moorings are available in the bays on the central and southern sections of the cay’s west coast, on a first-come, first-served basis⁶. The same guide says there are no support facilities or services on the cay other than moorings⁶. It describes an old well but says the potability of the water should not be trusted⁶, and it lists RO water for sale at Highborne Cay, Compass Cay, Sampson Cay and Staniel Cay⁶.

The Elizabeth M log describes a long sandy beach on the Exuma Bank side, right in front of the mooring field⁷. For the Trust’s own mooring routine, see how the park’s mooring fields work.

What are the rules ashore?

Open fires and fireworks are not permitted in the park¹. Stay on marked trails¹.

Trash disposal is not available in the park, so you take out everything you bring in¹. Plan your bags before you leave a marina.

Pets are restricted to beaches only, with no pets on trails or in the brush¹. Leashes may be no longer than six feet, and pets may not be tied to trees, bushes, tables or shelter facilities¹. The park rules have the full pet policy.

What are the rules on the water?

Anchoring is not permitted in the mooring fields, on coral reefs and in certain other designated areas within the park¹. All vessels, including dinghies and jet skis, run at idle speed in any mooring field or anchorage¹. The anchoring rules page goes through where you can set the anchor, and the dinghy rules page covers the dinghy.

Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is a NO TAKE ZONE: no fishing, conching, shelling or lobstering. Nothing living or dead may be removed from within the boundaries of Exuma Park¹.

Leave every shell on the beach. There are fines and confiscation of vessels for poaching violations¹. If you see suspicious activity, call “Exuma Park” on channel 09 to report it². The no-take zone guide has more.

What does it cost to bring your boat?

Boat fees are paid through the Bahamas National Trust’s ParkPay page or app, with 10% Bahamas VAT added at checkout⁵. The park takes no reservations, and pre-payment does not guarantee a mooring⁵. Rates by boat length are in the park and mooring fees guide. Fees change, so check ParkPay on the day you pay.