This anchorage makes my all-time Top Five Anchorages list.  Simply stunning, it is a huge bay with a broad crescent white sand beach.  There are no inhabitants ashore.  There are not usually many boats, so it is possibly to anchor here for a long time and have the place pretty well to yourself.  It seems that this anchorage is touted only as a holding point for those wishing to traverse The Whale.  That suits most cruisers who frequent this anchorage just fine.

The water is only six to eight feet deep over a white sand bottom, so it lights up a brilliant turquoise in bright sunlight.  You can see every detail of the bottom.  Simply stunning.

Getting There

Make your way to N 26° 41.110' W 77° 10.020', head towards the beach, away from everybody else, then drop the hook.  That’s it.  Keep your eye on the depth because it is shallow quite distance from shore.

Things to Do

People hole up here to enjoy the natural beauty of the place and get away from it all.  There is really nothing ashore and people like it that way.  You can, however go for some great walks.  The beach on the ocean side of the island can be reached easily by a well-marked path.  Pick a spot on the beach and it’s yours for the day.

You will notice some impressive moorings in the middle of the bay and probably wonder what that is all about.  Over a dozen years ago, Premier Cruise Lines developed Treasure Island in Baker’s Bay as a daytime shore destination for passengers of “The Big Red Boat.”  The huge vessel would navigate The Whale, tie up on one of the huge moorings, and discharge the passengers ashore for the day.  The facilities built into the trees along the shore were spectacular.  Millions were spent.  Guests could lounge about on the beach, sit at the bar, take in a show, or participate in a number of orchestrated activities.  In 1993, the facility was abandoned because the cruise ship could not safely navigate The Whale with enough regularity to make it worthwhile. 

All that remains are the docks, the wooden planks of the walkways, and a few gutted buildings.  You can still walk through the facility and marvel at what it must have been like when it was in its prime.

Fishing, snorkeling, and conching round out the list of available activities.  You will need to take the dinghy if you wish to access the waters off Spoil Bank and Gumelemi Cays.