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Staniel Cay
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Little Major’s Spot
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Big Major’s Spot
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Fowl Cay
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Dennis Cay
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Sampson Cay
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Pipe Creek
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Compass Cay Marina
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Compass Cay
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Chicken Cay
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Sampson Cay is an anchorage in Central Exumas.

Central Exumas is a charter location in The Exumas, a yacht charter area in the Bahamas.

The anchorages on Central Exumas:

Sampson Cay Overview

Till recent times, Sampson Cay used to be one of the most-visited cays in the whole of Exumas. After its central enterprise, Sampson Cay Club and Marina, was shut down, the cay was pushed into oblivion. However, it still attracts visitors who like to explore its 50-foot-high hills and shallow valleys.

Trivia – Sampson Cay was named after Israel Sampson who was granted the cay in 1810. The cay is also known as Little Birnea.

Navigation and Anchoring

Navigating to Sampson Cay is pretty straightforward. Head southeast via the banks route to lead to the southwest of Twin Cays. Round Twin Cays, head eastward while staying away from the rocks and maintaining a distance of 150 yards off the shores. Head straight to enjoy 9-foot waters to the anchorage by the marina. It should be instantly visible as there are some decrepit storefronts with possible human activity on the dock.

There’s a cover between Sampson Cay and Dennis Cay where you can anchor in 9 feet of water. Holding is not great, so a double anchor is suggested.

If entering from the south via the banks route, round Sandy Cay and head northeast. Pass Big Major’s Spot and Fowl Cay to find 6-foot waters for easy anchorage. Watch out for the rocky patch and stray heads off Big Major’s Spot channel.

Entrance to Sampson Cay - Thomas Mertens, Google
A beach in Sampson Cay - Thomas Mertens, Google

Places of Interest In and Around Sampson Cay

Sampson Cay has white beaches with mid-sized casuarinas lining some of them. You may also find decrepit shops and some leftover “modern artefacts” that are reminiscent of a bygone era when the cay enjoyed extreme popularity.

Sampson Cay is highly preferred for dinghy explorations. It has some nice inlets and beaches worth exploring. There is a lone house on a long beach on the southwestern side of the cay. If you plan to walk around, please respect the privacy of its owners.

There’s a dilapidated airstrip and a seaplane hangar near the center of the cay.

Services

At the time of writing, Sampson Cay was closed. It’s now a private island and visitation is by invitation only. At the time of writing, the 121-acre Sampson Cay was up for sale.

    Yachts available in Sampson Cay

    8 reviews
    Jacuzzi
    All Included

    MIDNIGHT MOON

    From $82,000/week
    4 cabins
    85 ft
    Horizon
    6 guests
    Refit: 2021
    90 US Gall/Hr

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    Jetskis: 2
    Jacuzzi

    FREEDOM

    From $92,000/week
    5 cabins
    96 ft
    Horizon
    11 guests
    Built: 2021
    80 US Gall/Hr

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    STAR DIAMOND

    From $160,000/week
    5 cabins
    154 ft
    Admiral Yachts
    10 guests
    Refit: 2022

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    5 reviews
    Jetskis: 2
    Jacuzzi

    B HAPPY

    From $50,000/week
    4 cabins
    103 ft
    Hargrave
    8 guests
    Refit: 2022
    50 US Gall/Hr

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    All Included

    Done Deal

    From $40,000/week
    4 cabins
    68 ft
    Sunseeker
    8 guests
    Built: 2020
    90 US Gall/Hr

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    LADY FIRST

    From $200,000/week
    5 cabins
    131 ft
    Riva
    11 guests
    Built: 2023

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    NAMASTE

    From $105,000/week
    5 cabins
    121 ft
    Benetti
    10 guests
    Built: 2013

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    JUST A VACATION

    From $95,000/week
    5 cabins
    97 ft
    Ocean Alexander
    10 guests
    Built: 2024

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    GAIL FORCE II

    From $35,000/week
    4 cabins
    80 ft
    Hatteras
    8 guests
    Refit: 2023
    454.2lph / 120gph

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    HAVEN

    From $36,000/week
    3 cabins
    64 ft
    Custom
    6 guests
    Built: 2014

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    BEYOND

    From $21,900/week
    4 cabins
    51 ft
    Fountaine Pajot
    6 guests
    Built: 2022

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    Iceberg

    From $65,000/week
    3 cabins
    111 ft
    Custom Built Aluminum Cutter
    5 guests
    Refit: 2022
    21-23 US Gall/Hr

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    SHEDAI

    From $19,950/week
    3 cabins
    55 ft
    Azimut
    6 guests
    Refit: 2018

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    Jetski

    Scarlet

    From $95,000/week
    3 cabins
    103 ft
    Azimut
    7 guests
    Refit: 2019

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    Reset

    From $34,000/week
    2 cabins
    62 ft
    Princess Viking
    4 guests
    Refit: 2024
    80 US Gall/Hr

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