Elizabeth Harbour doesn’t just sit beside George Town — it made George Town. Without this deep, protected anchorage tucked behind Stocking Island, the annual National Family Island Regatta would never have found a home here in 1954, and the winter fleet of cruising boats that gives the town its off-season bustle would anchor somewhere else entirely. What started as a three-day gathering of about 70 working schooners, dinghies, and sloops has grown into a nationally celebrated event that draws top racing sloops from across the Bahamas, and the harbour that hosts them now supports a conservation network of 16 snorkeling buoys, new mooring systems rated for vessels up to 60 feet, and a beach-bar scene on Stocking Island that’s been running cold Kaliks since 1998.
Since 1954, Elizabeth Harbour has hosted the National Family Island Regatta, where Bahamian sailors race locally built sloops for the “Best in the Bahamas” title.
Elizabeth Harbour is the reason most cruisers and regatta fans visit George Town, but it’s not a resort-style destination — you need a boat or a willingness to take day tours to really experience it. If your family is comfortable on the water and flexible with island timing, the harbour delivers a kind of authentic Bahamian culture that all-inclusive resorts can’t touch.
Cruising families
Regatta enthusiasts
Day-trip explorers
This guide covers the harbour itself, the regatta that put it on the map, the Stocking Island scene, day trips you can launch from the anchorage, and the practical details — moorings, provisioning, and timing — that determine whether your visit works or frustrates. If your crew is anything like ours, the kids will want to know about the swimming pigs before they care about boat-building traditions, so I’ve paced the blocks below to cover both.
| Stop / Activity | Best for | Time needed | Key highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Harbour anchorage | Cruisers, photographers | Half-day to full-day | Protected deep-water anchorage with 16 snorkeling buoys |
| National Family Island Regatta | Sailing fans, culture travellers | 3 days (April) | Bahamian-designed sloops racing for top national title |
| Stocking Island & Chat N Chill | Beach days, families | Half-day to full-day | Beach bar, volleyball, hiking trail, blue holes |
| Day trips (pigs, grotto, sharks) | Families, first-timers | Full-day (1-2 hrs each way) | Swimming pigs at Big Major Cay |
| George Town services | Provisioning, supplies | 2-3 hours | Straw Market, fuel docks, grocery stores |
Each of these stops builds on the harbour’s role as the hub of Great Exuma — here’s what to know before you drop anchor or book a tour.
Elizabeth Harbour — The Anchorage That Draws the World
Elizabeth Harbour runs along the western side of Great Exuma, sheltered from the open Atlantic by the long, low curve of Stocking Island. That natural protection is what made George Town a natural gathering point for working boats long before tourism arrived. Today the harbour can host hundreds of vessels, and during winter and regatta season the anchorage fills with everything from liveaboard catamarans to racing sloops.
The Elizabeth Harbour Conservation Partnership (EHCP), working with the Bahamas National Trust, installed new mooring systems in 2023 at locations stretching from Chat N Chill Beach to Sand Dollar Beach on Stocking Island, as well as at Red Shanks Cay in Moriah Harbour Cay National Park. The goal was straightforward: protect seagrass habitats and seabed sediment from anchor damage, which improves water clarity and quality. Revenue from mooring fees goes directly back into maintaining the harbour and the nearby national park. For families anchoring here, those moorings mean you can tie up without worrying about damaging the very reef you came to snorkel.
The 16 snorkeling buoys mark sites like Turtle Lagoon and Mystery Cave — pick up a buoy map from the EHCP or a local marina before heading out. Early morning (before 9 a.m.) gives you the clearest water and fewest boats.
The National Family Island Regatta — A 1954 Tradition That’s Still Racing
In April 1954, about 70 Bahamian schooners, dinghies, and sloops gathered in Elizabeth Harbour for a three-day race that would become the National Family Island Regatta. The Out Island Squadron Committee, formed by U.S. and Bahamian boaters, organized that first event in George Town, and the regatta has run annually ever since. What started as a gathering of working vessels — boats that earned their keep carrying freight and passengers between islands — soon evolved into a competition where sailors built faster sloops specifically to win prize money.
Today the regatta includes multiple classes, A through E, drawing top racing boats from across the Bahamas. The rules remain strict: only Bahamian-designed, Bahamian-built, and Bahamian-sailed vessels can compete, and material restrictions keep the focus on traditional boat-building skills. That means what you’re watching isn’t just a race — it’s a living preservation of craft that dates back generations.
The regatta runs three days in April. Book accommodation or mooring well ahead — the harbour fills fast. Exuma International Airport (GGT) is about 10 miles north of town, with taxis and rental cars available.
The best views of the racing sloops come from the harbour shoreline or from a dinghy anchored near the race course. Bring sun protection and binoculars — races run through the heat of the day.
The regatta includes beach games and social events in George Town. The Straw Market, operating since the 1960s, sells handmade bags, hats, and jewelry — a good spot for souvenirs that support local artisans.
If you miss April, the George Town Cruising Regatta runs each February — two weeks of races, beach games, and island activities that draw a smaller but equally enthusiastic crowd.
Stocking Island and Chat N Chill — The Beach Bar That Anchors the Scene
Stocking Island runs about 3.7 miles parallel to George Town, creating the natural breakwater that makes Elizabeth Harbour so calm. On the harbour side of the island, Chat N Chill has been serving grilled food, cold Kaliks beer, and beach volleyball since 1998. It’s the kind of place where you pull your dinghy right up to the sand and stay longer than you planned.
Beyond the bar, Stocking Island has multiple beaches, hiking trails, blue holes, and coral gardens. A trail runs the length of the island and leads to a monument with panoramic views of Elizabeth Harbour and the cays beyond. For families, the combination of a protected beach for swimming and a short hike for views makes this a half-day outing that works for a wide age range. The island also has several of the EHCP’s snorkeling buoys close to shore, so you can paddle out from the beach to explore Turtle Lagoon or Mystery Cave without needing a full boat trip.
Chat N Chill gets crowded on regatta days and weekend afternoons — arrive before 11 a.m. to claim a shady spot. The water taxi from George Town runs on demand, but confirm the return schedule before you cross so you’re not stranded at sunset.
Day Trips from Elizabeth Harbour — Pigs, Grottoes, and Sharks
George Town’s position in the central Exumas makes it a natural launching point for the day trips that put the Bahamas on family travel lists. Tours from town head to Big Major Cay for the swimming pigs, Thunderball Grotto for snorkeling in the underwater cave system, and Compass Cay for swimming with nurse sharks. Each trip typically takes one to two hours each way from George Town, so a full-day commitment is realistic.
Thunderball Grotto, named after the James Bond film, is a limestone cave system you can swim through at low tide, with light shafts illuminating the interior. Compass Cay lets you wade with nurse sharks in shallow, clear water — a highlight for older kids and teens who want something more interactive than a beach day. Most tour operators in George Town run all three stops as a combined day trip, which makes logistics simple but does mean a long day on the water.
Book your day trip for early in your stay — if weather cancels a day, you’ll have flexibility to reschedule. The one-to-two-hour boat ride each way can feel long for younger kids, so bring snacks, sunscreen, and a change of dry clothes.
George Town — Services, Supplies, and the Straw Market
George Town is the capital of the Exuma district and the only real town on Great Exuma, so it’s where you’ll find groceries, fuel docks, marine services, and the Straw Market. The market has been operating since the 1960s, selling handmade bags, hats, and jewelry — it’s worth a wander even if you’re not shopping, just to see the craftwork. For cruisers, the provisioning stores and fuel docks mean you can stock up before heading north or south along the island chain.
The town overlooks Elizabeth Harbour and is compact enough to cover on foot in a morning. Exuma International Airport (GGT) is about 10 miles north, roughly a 15-minute drive. George Town sits about 135 miles southeast of Nassau by boat, which puts it within a comfortable day’s sail for most cruisers coming from the capital.
George Town has no large resort strip — accommodation is mostly small hotels, vacation rentals, and mooring-based stays. If your family is looking for all-inclusive convenience, this isn’t the right base; if you want a working harbour town with authentic character, it’s exactly right.
Getting There, Mooring Fees, and Timing Your Visit
The practical side of visiting Elizabeth Harbour comes down to three things: how you arrive, where you tie up, and when you come. Most visitors fly into Exuma International Airport (GGT) and either rent a car for a land-based stay or transfer directly to a charter boat. Cruisers arriving by sea will find the harbour well-marked and protected, with the new mooring systems making it easier than ever to anchor responsibly.
| Access method | Best for | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| Fly into GGT + rental car | Land-based families | 10 miles north of George Town; rental cars available at airport |
| Private boat / charter | Cruising families | 135 miles southeast of Nassau; moorings support vessels up to 60 ft |
| Day tour from George Town | Excursion visitors | Tours cover harbour, Stocking Island, and nearby cays |
The new mooring systems installed in late 2023 by the Bahamas National Trust and EHCP cover Stocking Island (Chat N Chill Beach to Sand Dollar Beach) and Red Shanks Cay in Moriah Harbour Cay National Park. Fees were introduced in January 2024, with revenue directly funding harbour conservation and maintenance. If you’re planning to anchor in Elizabeth Harbour, budget for the mooring fee and consider it a contribution to keeping the water clear and the seagrass healthy for the next family.
Regatta weeks (February for the Cruising Regatta, April for the National Family Island Regatta) fill every mooring and anchorage spot. If you’re arriving by boat during either event, make reservations months ahead. If you’re flying in, book accommodation at least six months out for April.
For families, the best window is March through May, after winter winds settle and before summer heat peaks. The regattas add energy and cultural depth if you time your visit to match them, but they also add crowds and higher prices. Outside regatta weeks, Elizabeth Harbour is quieter, moorings are easier to find, and Chat N Chill feels more like a local hangout than a festival scene.
- Elizabeth Harbour is the reason George Town exists as a cruising and regatta hub — its protected anchorage behind Stocking Island makes it one of the safest natural harbours in the central Bahamas.
- The National Family Island Regatta (April) is the single best time to experience Bahamian boat-building culture, but it requires early booking for both moorings and accommodation.
- New mooring systems installed in 2023 protect seagrass and seabed — using them supports conservation directly, and fees are a small price for clear water and healthy reefs.
- Day trips to Big Major Cay, Thunderball Grotto, and Compass Cay are easily launched from George Town but need a full day — plan for early starts and pack for sun and spray.
Before You Go — Elizabeth Harbour and George Town
Do I need a boat to enjoy Elizabeth Harbour?
Not necessarily. You can take a water taxi from George Town to Stocking Island, join a day tour that covers the harbour and nearby cays, or simply walk the George Town waterfront for views of the anchorage. But the best experiences — snorkeling the buoys, reaching Chat N Chill, watching the regatta from the water — are easier with a boat.
When is the regatta, and can I watch for free?
The National Family Island Regatta runs each April, and the George Town Cruising Regatta runs each February. Both are free to watch from the George Town shoreline or from your own dinghy. No tickets, no gates — just find a spot with a clear view of the race course.
Is the water safe for kids to swim in?
Yes, especially on the Stocking Island side where the harbour is protected and calm. The EHCP’s snorkeling buoys mark sites with healthy reef life and minimal boat traffic. Always check for boat traffic before swimming near the main channel, and use the mooring buoys rather than anchoring to avoid damaging the reef.
What’s the biggest downside of visiting George Town?
It’s remote by Bahamas standards. Flights into GGT are limited and can be expensive, especially during regatta weeks. On-island services — restaurants, groceries, marine parts — are adequate but not abundant. If your family needs constant entertainment or fine dining, this isn’t the island for you.
Can I visit the swimming pigs without a tour?
Technically yes, but practically no unless you have your own boat. Big Major Cay is about one to two hours from George Town by water, and the route crosses open stretches. Most families find the guided tour safer and more convenient, and operators handle the pig food and safety gear.
Closing
Elizabeth Harbour earned George Town its reputation not through marketing campaigns but through geography and tradition — a naturally protected anchorage that happened to sit at the crossroads of Bahamian island life. The same harbour that sheltered working schooners in the 1950s now hosts a new generation of families who come for the regatta, the snorkeling buoys, the beach bar on Stocking Island, and the simple pleasure of dropping anchor in a place that feels genuinely connected to the water. For more ideas on building a trip around the Exumas, take a look at our guide to unforgettable adventures at Norman’s Cay.
References
Exuma Bahamas. “National Family Island Regatta.” Exuma Bahamas, 2024. ↗
Sail Abacos. “George Town, Exuma.” Sail Abacos, 2024. ↗
ZNS Bahamas. “BNT and Elizabeth Harbour Conservation Partnership Announce New Mooring Installations in Exuma.” ZNS Bahamas, 2023. ↗
If you’re still weighing which side of the island to sleep on, this interactive map of Exuma’s hotels and rentals makes it easier to compare options near the harbour or closer to the airport. For quieter anchorages and less-travelled cays, our guide to Lake Rosa covers a hidden-gem alternative in the southern Bahamas, and the photographer’s guide to the Bahamas’ best views includes several overlooks on Great Exuma worth the hike.
Explore Places to Stay in the Bahamas
Feel free to zoom in and out of the map to explore the area and find the best place to stay for your trip.