+1 813 314 7947
USA: 8am to 10pm EST
Europe: 8am to 10pm CET

Staniel Cay
Read More
Little Major’s Spot
Read More
Big Major’s Spot
Read More
Fowl Cay
Read More
Dennis Cay
Read More
Sampson Cay
Read More
Pipe Creek
Read More
Compass Cay Marina
Read More
Compass Cay
Read More
Chicken Cay
Read More

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

    Scuba Onboard

    Pipe Dreams

    From $45,000/week
    3 cabins
    112 ft
    Westport
    6 guests
    Built: 2007
    120 US Gall/Hr

    View

    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    MOONLIGHT

    From $51,000/week
    4 cabins
    76 ft
    Sunseeker
    8 guests
    Built: 2021

    View

    Jacuzzi

    RELENTLESS

    From $150,000/week
    5 cabins
    145 ft
    Trinity
    10 guests
    Refit: 2019
    100 US Gall/Hr

    View

    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    EDEN

    From $69,000/week
    4 cabins
    112 ft
    Westport
    8 guests
    Refit: 2024
    567.8lph / 150gph

    View

    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    PURE ROMANCE

    From $85,000/week
    3 cabins
    110 ft
    Lazzara
    9 guests
    Refit: 2023

    View

    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    ROMEO FOXTROT

    From $135,000/week
    5 cabins
    118 ft
    Hargrave
    10 guests
    Built: 2024

    View

    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    NO SHORTCUTS

    From $70,000/week
    4 cabins
    112 ft
    Westport
    8 guests
    Refit: 2022
    359.6lph / 95gph

    View

    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    SHADOWL

    From $140,000/week
    5 cabins
    143 ft
    Burger
    10 guests
    Built: 2010

    View

    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    AQUILA

    From $945,000/week
    6 cabins
    281 ft
    Derecktor Shipyards
    12 guests
    Refit: 2016

    View

    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    EVEREAST

    From $100,000/week
    5 cabins
    115 ft
    Sunseeker
    11 guests
    Refit: 2022
    500 Litres/H Litres/Hr

    View

    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    ENTRE 4

    From $70,000/week
    4 cabins
    78 ft
    Sunreef Yachts
    8 guests
    Built: 2024

    View

    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    BLUE GRYPHON

    From $70,000/week
    5 cabins
    83 ft
    Prout
    11 guests
    Refit: 2018

    View

    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM

    From $180,000/week
    5 cabins
    161 ft
    Trinity Yachts
    10 guests
    Refit: 2016

    View

    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    BELLA VITA

    From $85,000/week
    5 cabins
    95 ft
    Benetti
    10 guests
    Built: 2019

    View

    9 reviews
    All Included

    Purpose

    From $21,900/week
    5 cabins
    49 ft
    Fountaine Pajot
    8 guests
    Refit: Upgrade 2022

    View

Get Started
AS SEEN ON