Compass Cay, Exumas

Even though none of you have ever heard of this tiny island found in the Exuma Island chain, and none of you will probably ever go to this place, it is probably one of the best east coast (Atlantic) breaks you will ever find. The best time to skim this spot is in the fall-spring time (water temp. there is constantly around 75 year round) Winds can be a bit of a problem, sometimes getting above 20-25 knots, but they usually stay down around 10-15. Waves are at least 4 ft., even if their is no wind (Atlantic swells, and gulf currents keep the waves up) and I have seen these waves barrel clean up to about 6-7ft. The tides are not too bad, probably moving 3-4 ft., and the sand does not shift too much. Crowds? No problem at all! Its hard enough to get to this island! Anyways, if by any chance somebody who reads this gets a chance to extensively cruise the Bahamas, and they enjoy skimboarding this should definitely be a stop! ohh yeah, did I mention that the beach was the most beautiful beach that I have ever seen.

Get a charter flight from Miami International Airport (Tropical Express gives ok deals, don't go if you can't fly in small planes very well, cause a 6 seater is about all you can get) Fly into Staniel Cay, and you can stay at a very nice marina named The Staniel Cay Yacht CLub. Getting to the yacht club is not hard at all. You just walk from the airport (not much of an airport, just a runway) down the one road on the island, till you end up at the end of the road (half a mile at the most) and you will find the Marina, and they will get you a small cabana to stay in. Next, either pay some Bahamian to give you a ride to Compass Cay, or rent a small Boston Whaler boat. Its only about a 15 minute ride when you stay on the leeward side of the islands (in the Exuma Sound) Get charts of the area, cause you can get lost out there really easy. Once at compass cay walk on the paths designated from the marina to the beach.

Submitted By:  rick@n2sailing.com