Warderick Wells Cay: park headquarters, moorings, trails and rules

Warderick Wells is inside the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park, and the park keeps its headquarters here^1,2. The Bahamas Defence Force has stationed three officers at park headquarters to assist park staff with enforcement².

Where is Warderick Wells and what is it?

Warderick Wells sits at about 24.387°N, 76.622°W⁶. It is a popular stop for cruising sailboats and yachts, which spend the night in one of three anchorages¹. The Bahamas National Trust lists access boardwalks and trails in the park and moorings available².

Shroud Cay marks the park’s northern end¹, and the places hub shows how the other cays fit around Warderick Wells. The park boundaries page sets out the four corner coordinates. The headquarters guide covers how the base works, and the visitor center page covers the office, the shop and the hours.

Can you reserve a mooring at Warderick Wells?

No. Pre-payment is not a reservation and does not guarantee a mooring, because the park does not take reservations³. Moorings within Warderick Wells, including the Warderick Wells North, Emerald Rock and Pirates Lair mooring fields, require boaters to call in advance on VHF channel 09 to request one³. Call “Exuma Park” on that channel².

Pay through the Bahamas National Trust’s ParkPay app or site³. All marine and park fees carry 10% Bahamas VAT, applied at checkout, since 1 January 2022³. The mooring fields guide walks through each field, and how moorings work in the park covers the routine for getting a ball.

Anchoring is not permitted in the mooring fields, on coral reefs and certain other designated areas within Exuma Park⁴.

All vessels, including dinghies and jet skis, run at idle speed in any mooring field or anchorage⁴. The dinghy rules page covers the crew’s side of this. For daily rates by boat length, see park fees and mooring fees. Fees change, so check the ParkPay page on the day you pay.

What is there to do on Warderick Wells?

Several nature trails cross the island¹. One leads to Boo Boo Hill, which offers views of the island, the anchorage and Exuma Sound¹. Stay on marked trails⁴.

A 2023 expedition report from Lindblad Expeditions describes a naturalist-led hike to Boo Boo Hill on a trail that crossed ancient limestone and a creek full of water, and says the top gives a vantage point over the island⁷. The same report describes a protected beach with shallows for swimming, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding⁷.

The report also says mangroves and corals are healthy, reef fishes are abundant, and sharks, rays, sea turtles and queen conch are common sights beneath the water surface⁷. Remember that the park is a no-take zone, so look and leave everything where it is.

Are there restrooms, water and wi-fi?

The Bahamas National Trust’s park page says the park has restroom facilities available². Services are still limited. The camping rules note that there are no assigned campgrounds or bathroom facilities, and that drinking water is available at park headquarters⁴.

Trash disposal is not available within the park, so take out everything you bring in⁴. Wikipedia notes there is no wi-fi service, that the internet service once sold in the North Mooring Field has been discontinued, and that the best option for cell coverage is to stand at the top of the headquarters stairs and face Staniel Cay¹.

Can you camp on Warderick Wells?

Camping in the park is allowed only at Hawksbill, Warderick Wells and O’Brien’s⁴. You need a camping permit, which costs $250 and is valid for a maximum of 10 days⁴. Campers and kayakers also pay a daily user fee of $25.00 per person per day⁴.

Notify park headquarters at least two weeks before your planned camping date, so your stay does not conflict with other park users⁴. Tents go up on the beaches only⁴. Open fires and fireworks are not permitted anywhere in the park⁴. For another camping cay, see Hawksbill Cay.

Which park rules apply on every visit?

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 Park⁴.

There are fines and confiscation of vessels for poaching violations⁴. The no-take zone guide has the detail. Pets are restricted to beaches only, with none on trails or in the brush⁴; the park rules cover leashes and the rest.

Can you see hutia on Warderick Wells?

Bahama hutia are nocturnal, and they are the only land mammal native to The Bahamas⁵. A small population was transplanted to two locations, Little Wax Cay and Warderick Wells⁵. The hutia is protected under the Wild Animals (Protection) Act⁵. Bahamas.com says the park’s professional guides can help visitors catch a glimpse of the elusive hutia⁸. The hutia guide has more, and wildlife in the park covers what else lives here.

Can you visit Warderick Wells on a day tour?

Charter day tours that land at Warderick Wells with a guided tour pay a landing fee of BSD 12.73 plus 10% VAT, which includes a 45-minute tour by BNT guides³. If you join a tour from Nassau or Staniel Cay, ask whether the price includes park landing fees; the Nassau day trip guide lists what to ask.

How do you contact the park office?

Call “Exuma Park” on VHF channel 09². The office is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 9am to noon on Sunday². It sits on a small, remote island, so contacting it can be challenging². Channel 16 is monitored 24 hours a day for emergencies².

To report suspicious activity, call “Exuma Park” on channel 09².