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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

    Flower 72

    From $55,000/week
    4 cabins
    72 ft
    Azimut
    8 guests
    Built: 2018

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    7 reviews
    All Included

    ALORA

    From $22,500/week
    3 cabins
    49 ft
    Bali Catamarans
    6 guests
    Built: 2024

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    Jacuzzi

    Milamo

    From $78,000/week
    4 cabins
    76 ft
    Sunseeker
    8 guests
    Built: 2022

    View

    16 reviews

    Serenity

    From $35,000/week
    4 cabins
    63 ft
    Lagoon
    8 guests
    Built: 2019

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    Jetskis: 2
    Jacuzzi

    Dream On

    From $55,000/week
    5 cabins
    100 ft
    Hargrave
    12 guests
    Refit: 2023

    View

    7 reviews
    All Included

    PLAYTIME

    From $42,500/week
    3 cabins
    63 ft
    Lagoon
    6 guests
    Refit: 2021
    14 Litres/Hr

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    VALHALLA

    From $190,000/week
    5 cabins
    151 ft
    Northern Marine
    10 guests
    Refit: 2022

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    The One

    From $39,000/week
    4 cabins
    68 ft
    Azimut
    10 guests
    Refit: 2022
    70-80 US Gall/Hr

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    PIER PRESSURE

    From $75,000/week
    5 cabins
    87 ft
    Azimut
    10 guests
    Refit: 2023
    394 Litres/Hr

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    CYAN

    From $182,000/week
    6 cabins
    160 ft
    Codecasa
    12 guests
    Refit: 2021

    View

    12 reviews
    All Included

    ZURI 3

    From $24,400/week
    4 cabins
    54 ft
    Bali Catamarans
    6 guests
    Built: 2021

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    DT78

    From $49,000/week
    4 cabins
    78 ft
    Azimut
    8 guests
    Built: 2024
    120 US Gall/Hr

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    AQUAHOLIC

    From $55,000/week
    4 cabins
    75 ft
    Sunseeker
    8 guests
    Refit: 2018
    60 US Gall/Hr

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    DADDY'S $

    From $52,000/week
    4 cabins
    75 ft
    Sunseeker
    6 guests
    Refit: 2023
    454.2lph / 120gph

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    BELISARIUS

    From $46,200/week
    3 cabins
    92 ft
    Horizon
    6 guests
    Refit: 2017
    25 US Gall/Hr

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