Lee Stocking Island, Exuma: the old marine research station, trails and anchorages

Lee Stocking Island is in the Exuma district of the Bahamas¹. It is not to be confused with Stocking Island, also in Exuma¹. The places guide lists the other Exuma stops.

Where is Lee Stocking Island?

The island lies at 23.7721°N, 76.0998°W¹. That is south of the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park: the Bahamas National Trust gives the park’s two southern boundary corners as 24°14′25″N and 24°18′37″N⁴. The park vs wider Exumas guide shows how to read that comparison.

What is the Lee Stocking research station?

The island hosted a marine research facility from 1984 to 2012, connected to NOAA¹. The NOAA Miami Regional Library keeps a selective bibliography of work done there². Titles in it include:

• A 1987 University of Miami study of the environments and sediments of Lee Stocking Island².
• A 1993 Caribbean Marine Research Center workshop on pathogens and parasites of reef corals, held at the island².
• A 1995 patch reef study of Rainbow Gardens Reef².
• A 1993 study of coral bleaching at the island in 1990².
• A 1989 American Geophysical Union field trip guide to giant subtidal stromatolites and related sedimentary features².

Stromatolites are found offshore of the island¹.

What can you do on Lee Stocking Island?

A cruising blog written in 2022 describes the island from the water and the trails. Its crew reports these details³:

• The island narrows to less than 100 meters wide³.
• A hiking trail leads up to the airstrip and the research center³. Hiking to and exploring the research center and back took about three hours³.
• Perry’s Peak is about fifteen minutes one way from the trail³.
• Another trail runs south along the ocean-side cliffs³.
• A big beach is popular for hiking and beach activities³.

The blog calls the abandoned research facility the big highlight of the island. Maintenance crew seemed to be roaming around the facility, and the blog suggests looking for the hyperbaric chamber³. The facility has several docks that provide easier access than the hike, but the blog’s crew experienced a lot of current at the research center anchorage³.

Where do boats anchor at Lee Stocking?

The blog’s favorite anchorage in the Lee Stocking area is Williams Bay³. It is excellent for sea glass, and a fantastic location for beach sunsets³. The north west side of the island has a bit of a wrapping swell at anchor³. Check current charts and local advice before you anchor, because the blog is dated 13 July 2022³. For other Exuma anchorages, see the George Town and Elizabeth Harbour guide.