Governors Creek Harbor

Marinas near Governors Creek Harbor

Introduction:

Governors Creek is home to the Cayman Islands Yacht Club, one of the finest full-service facilities on Grand Cayman Island. Located on the western side of North Sound, Governors Creek is conveniently located only 3 miles from the ocean inlet into North Sound itself. Visitors must first check in through customs in Georgetown upon arrival.

Navigating the Water:

Approaching from offshore, you may have a hard time sighting Grand Cayman Island due to it’s relatively low height above water (maximum elevation 60 feet). Most radars will catch the island about 18 to 20 miles out, and you should be able to see fringes of the island by eye within 10 miles or so, depending on weather and wave height. Boatswain Point Light is located just east of Boatswain Bay (northwest corner of the island - located out on the far point in the image above) and has a 15-mile visible beam offshore.

Once you have picked up the island and are within 10 miles, you must announce your arrival on VHF Channel 16 to “Port Security.” The entrance into North Sound can be problematic in strong northerly winds, but the small gap just east of Barkers Cay (about 2 miles east of Head of Barkers Point) carries consistent 7- to 10-foot depths. The only warning offered about this entrance is that it is in constant flux, with coral reefs growing in different directions each year, storms moving sand across channels and “current” charts being unreliable.

Clear of the entrance to North Sound, you can proceed through North Sound itself, keeping a lookout for shallow areas and coral outcroppings. The current chart for this area is quite inaccurate, sources report, so if you are in doubt as to what course to take at anytime, give the port authority or one of the local are dredged for entry. Remember, too, that you must first clear customs in Georgetown before stepping ashore on Grand Cayman (see our Georgetown Overview for more information on checking in).

Governors Creek is located on the west side of North Sound about 3 miles southwest of the ocean entrance to North Sound itself. Once you have cleared the inlet into Governors Creek head about a quarter-mile west, and then turn to starboard. The Cayman Islands Yacht Club will be visible directly ahead of you. The entire Governors Creek area near the inlet is available for use as an anchorage and depths range from 5 to 7 feet.

Local Notices to Mariners:

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

Transportation:

Owen Roberts International Airport is located about 2 miles southeast of the center of Georgetown on the southern side of North Sound. The airport has regularly scheduled commercial jet service from carriers like United, US Airways, American and Cayman Airways. Taxi cab service is available across much of the island and shuttle service can be arranged to/from by contacting the airport directly.

Helpful Links:

Cayman Islands Department of Tourism

Cayman Islands Calendar of Events

Cayman Islands Government