Black Point, Great Guana Cay, Exumas
Air ServiceFlamingo Air; 242-351-4963; 242-377-0354 / 0364.? Service twice daily to and from Nassau; also stops at Staniel Cay.
AnchorageThe anchorage is large with good holding in 8-10? in sand throughout. ? There is good protection except from the WSW to WNW.
There is excellent holding in 8-14' in Little Bay just S of Black Point off of a beautiful beach.? Anchorage is open from S to NW.
Area Information / TourismBahamas Area Websites.? Sites that can be searched for tourist and business information throughout the Bahamas.
Exumas Visitors Guide.? A free guide booklet available at many local businesses.? It provides a good directory of services and attractions throughout the Exumas.
Regatta Point is a facility on the W edge of the settlement on the S headland. ? It is used each year in August during the annual regatta.
Art Gallery / Art
BakeryLorraine?s Caf?
Corene's Bread
Bank & ATM
Beverage StoreScorpio?s Restaurant & Bar
Bike RentalLorraine?s Caf?
Boat Rental / CharterOcean Breeze Boat Rental Tour and Charter Service
Lorraine's Caf?
Book ExchangeLorraine?s Caf?
Rockside Laundry.
BTC / Batelco Office
Car Rental
Cell Phone ServiceThere is good cell phone and cellular internet service in the area with a tower in the settlement.
ChurchBible Mission Church.
Gethsemene Baptist.
St. Luke?s Baptist.
Coffee Shop
Cruisers Net
Customs & Immigration
Dinghy LandingGovernment Pier; on the W finger pier.? Hurricane Irene destroyed the dinghy dock in 2011 and a new dock was built to replace it.? Hurricane Sandy did more damage but the dock was quickly repaired.
Rockside Laundry has a dingy dock for use of patrons.
Large sandy beach to the E - but be aware that the shallows drain at low tide.
EcologyReport whale sightings to BMMRO!? Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organization; 242-366-4155; 242-357-6666; info@bahamaswhales.org.
See:? Environment & Ecology for Cruisers
Emergency
Ferry
Fishing
Fresh FishAdderley?s Friendly Store.
Craven and Ralph Kemp fish daily.? They can be contacted at the end of the fishing day at the government pier or through Ida at Rockside Laundry.? They will take orders for fish, conch, and lobsters to be delivered the next day.
FuelThe closest sources of fuel are at Staniel, Cave, Sampson Cays.
In March 2017, a new pier had been built just W of Regatta Point.? The plan is to open a marine support operation offering diesel, gasoline, and RO water.? Expected to open Fall 2017.
Golf Cart / Scooter RentalAdderley?s Friendly Store; 242-355-3016.
Rockside Laundry.
Government / Administrator242-355-3020.? Government services building is located at the land-end of government pier.
There is a weekly visit of staff to provide services.
Groceries & ProduceAdderley?s Friendly Store; 242-355-3016.
Sandra's Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.
Hardware & LumberRockside Laundry; 242-355-3113.? There are modest hardware supplies at the store.
History / Area News and Curiosities.Bell Island reached an agreement with Black Point Settlement in late 2011 to allow them to deposit some dredging spoil on the unused land on the NW peninsula of the cay for future use in local building projects.? In return, a new medical clinic will be built.
IceAdderley?s Friendly Store.
Lorraine?s Caf?; 242-355-3095.
DeShamon's Restaurant.? Bags of ice cubes, 10-lb.
Winney's Ice; VHF Ch-16.? Located in yellow house E of government dock to right of Holy Bible Mission Church.? Block Ice; $5 / large block.
Ice CreamAdderley?s Friendly Store.
Lorraine?s Caf?; 242-355-3095.
J&D Straw Mart.? Attached to DeShamon's Restaurant.
Rockside Laundry offers free WiFi to customers.
Scorpios offers free WiFi to customers.
LaundryRockside Laundry; 242-355-3113; rocksideinn@yahoo.com; Ida Patton. Restroom, store.? Closed Sundays.? Experienced cruisers call this the best facility in the Bahamas & Caribbean.? There are 10 washers & 10 driers that are clean and functional.? One token each ($3.50 / token) for a ~35 min wash or a ~45 min dry [oblong tokes = wash; round tokens = dry]. It is set on a 20? bluff on the SW shore of the bay with a beautiful view and dinghy dock for patrons.? Ida? Patton offers coffee, carrot cake and delicious fresh conch fritters.? Free WiFi.? Ask Ida to sing -- she has a beautiful voice.
Lorraine?s Caf?; 242-355-3095.? Drop-off service for women's clothes.
LibraryThe library is located next to the communication center for the all-age school
Lodging
Adderley's Rooms.
Long Bay Cottages 242-355-3064 / 3095; lorrainrolle@yahoo.com.? Operated by Lorraine Rolle offers two rental cottages.?
Black Point Vacation Rental Cottages; 242-355-3055.? Terrance & Ida Patton offers cottages for rent overlooking the bay that sleep 2 to 4.
Scorpio's Inn;242-355-3003.
Susan's Bonefish Lodge; 242-355-3116 / 3010.? Rooms and apartments.
MailboatMV Captain C provides mailboat service; arriving on Wednesday afternoons after serving Staniel Cay. [2017:? Service is 3 times a month; there is some variation in this schedule.]
MV Lady Francis occasionally stops on as it travels to and from San Salvador.
Marina & DockageThere is currently no marina at Black Point (March 2017).? However, construction is underway on what is to become Golden Grove Marina. ? The facility is being built by the brother of Simon Smith (DeShamon's) who lives in FL. ? A new large pier has been constructed along the shore about 0.2 nm W of Regatta Point.? The plan is to have a full service marina offering diesel, gasoline, RO water, electrical power initially and then expand to offer slips.? The next step is to complete a road from the pier to the existing main road.? Infrastructure is to then follow.? Target opening late in 2017.
Marine Supplies & PartsRockside Laundry.? There are modest marine supplies available at the store.
Marine Services & RepairsUriah Rolle; contact through Lorraine's Cafe.
Medical / Clinic / PharmacyGovernment Clinic; 242-355-3007.? Nurse on staff.
MooringsThere are no moorings available for rent.
NavigationThe anchorage averages 8' to 9';? the E end has extensive shallows that dry out at low tides. ?
There are natural channels along the N and S shores. ?
Depths are generally greater than shown on most charts; but beware of the large low area at the center of the outer area of the harbor between the N & S headlands.
Holding is excellent.
Packages & ShippingWatermakers Air; 954-771-0330; freight@watermakersair.com? Will transport items that you have shipped to their Ft. Lauderdale office.? There are twice daily flights to Staniel Cay.? They handle customs at the stop at Andros on the way to Staniel.? Watermakers Shipping Instructions/Form ? ? This is a great service!
MV Retriever; 910-599-8707; captnmarc@aol.com? A freight boat providing regular freight service between Miami FL and the Exumas.? The ship has a 3000 lb crane to handle heavier items.? They handle customs and VAT.?
Personal ServiesHaircuts are available from Ida at the Rockside Laundry ($15-20; March 2017).
Spa:? therapeutic and deep tissue message therapy for individuals and couples; contact Lorraine; 242-355-3095/3064; VHF Ch-16; lorainerolle@yahoo.com.
Police242-355-3053 / 3100.? There is a police station in town.
Post Office / Mail242-355-3043.
Weekly mail boat.
PropaneThe closest source for propane refills is at Isles General Store, Staniel Cay.
Resort
Restaurant & Bar
B&B Sporting Lounge? A new small bar opened in Aug 2011 across the street from the Rockside Laundry by local brothers, Berlin & Barry.
DeShamon?s Restaurant; 242-355-3122; VHF Ch-16.? Lunch & dinner (dinner reservations are requested; they do not advertise dinner, but give them a call and they will set it up for you).? Open 1100 to "until".? Tuesday nights barbecue special (chicken, ribs).? Great pizza; the best in the Bahamas!? Free wifi for patrons.? Located across from Aderley's Friendly Store; Owners:? Simon & Diann. ? The restaurant underwent a substantial expansion in 2016.? There is a large well appointed dining room in the rear with a beautiful bar.? A lunch buffet is often available for guests aboard tour boats from Great Exuma.? Cruisers are welcome to purchase this buffet for lunch.? ?
Lorraine?s Caf?; 242-355-3095; VHF Ch-16; lorainerolle@yahoo.com; Lorraine Rolle.? Breakfast, lunch, dinner.? Great food, cold beer.? This is one of the most known and beloved restaurants in the Exumas.? Over the last two years it has been substantially upgraded:? new kitchen wing, new interior for the dining room, all new tables, chairs, high tops, bar; outside deck with new umbrella tables.? There is a new extended menu, too.? Free internet & wifi? (a donation to help support this service is suggested for non-patrons). ? BBQ & Grill Happy Hour, Tuesdays & Saturdays.? Superbowl party.? Lorraine will organize Bahamian buffet meals for groups of cruisers on request.? These a great social and culinary events.? Lorraine also bakes? cakes & pies and don't forget her Mom's fantastic bread.
Scorpio?s Restaurant & Bar; 242-355-3003.? Open 0900 'til. Sandwiches & snacks from the grill; lunch & dinner; dinner reservations are appreciated.? Zhivago does great happy hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 1600-1800; 2 for 1 rum punches, reduced price beer and mixed drinks; complementary finger food.? Free WiFi for patrons.
Retail Therapy - ShoppingAdderley?s Friendly Store; 242-355-3016.? Shell jewelry and baskets.
J&D Straw Mart at DeShamon's Restaurant.
Lorraine's Cafe now has T-shirts and Bahamian crafts for sale.
Rockside Laundry; 242-355-3113.? Shell jewelry, household items.
ShowersRockside Laundry has shower facilities with beautifully tiled shower rooms.? Showers are token operated; $4 for 8 min.
Snorkeling & Scuba DivingSnorkeling: Good reefs along N & S shore.
Social
Black Point is a great gathering point for cruisers.? The luncheons, dinners, and happy hours offered by the restaurants & bars are a great way to meet fellow cruisers.
Over the last few years, tour boats from Great Exuma and Nassau have been stopping at Black Point for their patrons to have lunch.? Several years ago it was an occasional stop; by 2017? several tour operations stop on an almost daily basis depending on the weather.? The tour guests are usually quite interested in meeting cruisers and learning about the cruising lifestyle.
Taxi
Things to See & DoBonefishing:? Susan's Bonefish Lodge; 242-355-3116 / 3010.?
Beach:? There is a beautiful beach at the E end of the bay.
Garden of Eden:? sculpture garden at W edge of settlement.? Willie Rolle has collected driftwood that he has arranged into a sculpture garden.? It takes a good eye to grasp the underlying image but with some help from Wille and the right perspective it is fascinating.? He and his wife have an amazing garden with fruits and flowers from all over the tropics growing out of potholes they have carefully copostedl
Hiking Along the ocean (E) beach to N is great.
There is a Blow-hole that can be reached by a trail just to the S of the graveyard that is E of the beach in the anchorage.
Fishing & snorkeling guides:? Dwight Rolle and Clayton Rolle; Simon Smith.
Tours:? Ocean Breeze Boat Rental Tour and Charter Service; 242-355-3070; 242-464-1181.? Raymond Andrews.
Tides
TrashTrash disposal is provided by the settlement in a trailer located behind building on Government Pier.? A donation to support this service is encouraged; there is a donation box on the front of the trailer.
VeterinarianThere is no local veterinarian; see Great Exuma / George Town for service.
Bahamas Humane Society; Nassau; 242-524-2390; bhsexuma@gmail.com
VHF ProtocolStandard Bahamas VHF Protocol:? Ch-16 is for marine emergencies, safety, and hailing.? It is also used by local Bahamian shore facilities for hailing.? Communication traffic must be shifted to another channel.
Water
Free RO water to fill jerry cans is provided by the settlement at a roadside spigot across the street and 100? W of the Government Pier.? Cruisers are urged to use modest amounts.
WeatherHighborne Cay Marina broadcasts weather daily at 0730 on VHF Ch 06.
Marine Weather Center; Daily SSB, webcast, & email forecasts by Chris Parker.? Note:? Best reception in this area is usually on 4045 KHz USB Simplex at 0630 AST.
Bahamas Met Office website provides weather forecast for local areas throughout the Bahamas.
"Blue Yonder" (C6AGJ) based on MV Emerald at Staniel Cay broadcasts a weather summery from multiple sources at 0800 on VHF Ch-12.? The service is provided during the period of late November to May.