Stocking Island, Exuma: beaches, snorkeling and getting there from George Town

Stocking Island is the beach island across the water from George Town. It lies south of the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park, so the park’s rules are not the ones that apply here.

Where is Stocking Island, and how far is it from George Town?

Stocking Island is a small, long, narrow island off the port of George Town on Great Exuma Island, The Bahamas¹. It is 1 mile (1.6 km) from Government Dock, George Town, across the harbor¹. The island features beaches and several resorts¹, and it sits at about 23.533° N, 75.767° W¹.

The long narrow island protects George Town from ocean waves, creating a natural harbor¹. Elizabeth Harbour is protected by mainland Great Exuma to the southwest and Stocking Island to the northeast⁸. For the town on the other side of the water, see the George Town and Great Exuma guide. The places hub lists the other cays in this guide.

How do you get to Stocking Island?

Come on your own or rented boat, or take a water taxi from George Town². The island is easily reachable by boat from Elizabeth Harbour⁴. If you arrive in your own boat, the George Town and Elizabeth Harbour guide covers the anchorage.

For the water taxi to Chat ‘n’ Chill, bahamas.com says: “Call the Water Taxi on VHF 16 or (242) 464-1558”⁶. It names Elvis Ferguson’s Water Taxi Service, which runs throughout the day⁶. The crossing is a five-minute boat ride across Elizabeth Harbour⁶.

When is Chat ‘n’ Chill open?

Chat ‘n’ Chill is open daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., closed Christmas Day and Good Friday only, per bahamas.com on 19 October 2026⁶. Across the harbour from George Town, Stocking Island offers a handful of secluded resorts, many more secluded beaches and the famous Chat ‘n’ Chill². Stingrays gather next to the beach-side conch shack, waiting for leftovers⁶. bahamas.com quotes Caribbean Travel + Life that the conch burgers are worth swimming ashore for, and says TripAdvisor rates Chat ‘n’ Chill one of the top 20 restaurants in the Exumas⁶.

What is there to do on Stocking Island?

Stocking Island has some of the finest white sand beaches in The Bahamas⁴. Snorkelers and divers love to explore the island’s blue holes, coral gardens and undersea caves⁴. The island is also home to stromatolites, said to be the oldest known macro-fossils on the planet⁴.

Inside Elizabeth Harbour, snorkeling buoys maintained by the Elizabeth Harbour Conservation Partnership mark 16 top snorkeling locations, including Turtle Lagoon, Mystery Cave and Fowl Cay Reef Restoration⁸.

The Beacon, Hurricane Hole and the Spit

Wikipedia describes one high hill, known locally as the Beacon, capped with an old, unused gas beacon¹. bahamas.com says the Beacon stands over 100 feet in height and is a popular attraction for yachters in Elizabeth Harbour and for hikers⁷. It can be clearly seen from George Town⁷. The island is made up of giant sand dunes hardened into limestone rock⁷.

In the middle of the island, an inlet known as Hurricane Hole is where sailboats anchor for protection during storms, and it features a blue hole¹. Opposite Hurricane Hole is a sandbar beach called the Spit¹.

Can you stay on Stocking Island?

Yes. Wikipedia lists Stocking Island among the Exuma islands with permanent residents and resorts⁵, and the island’s population is only 10¹. Peace & Plenty has five island cottages with private decks on Stocking Island, in addition to its 35-room George Town hotel⁹. Rates change, so compare options in the where to stay in the Exumas guide before you book.

Is Stocking Island in Exuma Park?

No. The park’s south-west corner is at 24°14′25″ N, 76°36′02″ W³. Stocking Island is at about 23.5° N, south of that corner^1,3. The park boundaries map shows the park’s limits, and the park fees guide is for boaters heading north into the park.