Green Turtle Cay and the surrounding out islands are likely one of the busiest and most popular destinations in the Abacos, and perhaps the entire Bahamas island chain. Located just west of Treasure Cay, Green Turtle Cay is 25 miles northwest of Marsh Harbour and 35 miles east of Grand Bahama Island.

Settlement Harbour is located just to the southwest of Black Sound and is where the town of New Plymouth is located. Here you will find museums, restaurants, a public dock, and anchorage, but you will most likely have trouble getting into the harbor if you draw more than about 2 feet. New Plymouth has several resort and hotel locations, many restaurants and good markets for provisioning or refitting the boat. Most boaters access the shoreside facilities from Black Sound, however, due to its deeper entrance.

The western edge of Black Sound invisible in the image above in the upper left corner. Shown above is the stake-lined entrance to Settlement Harbor.

Settlement Harbor is use very infrequently by boater due to its shallow depths (2 to 3 feet), both at its entrance and inside. That said, the entrance is very easy to navigate, and there are many long piles alongside the channel to mark the deepest water. Most boaters, however, choose to anchor out in Black Sound, which has an entrance just to the north of Settlement Harbour’s.

See our “Local Notices to Mariners” blog for updates on the latest conditions and advisories for this area.