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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

    Jetski

    OCEAN LIFE

    From $50,000/week
    4 cabins
    83 ft
    Horizon
    8 guests
    Built: 2014

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    18 reviews
    Scuba Onboard
    All Included

    EARNOUT

    From $38,900/week
    3 cabins
    55 ft
    Two Oceans
    6 guests
    Built: 2025

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    24 reviews
    All Included

    LOCATION 5.4

    From $32,700/week
    4 cabins
    55 ft
    Bali Catamarans
    8 guests
    Built: 2022

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    Jetskis: 2
    Jacuzzi

    KING OF FUN

    From $120,000/week
    5 cabins
    130 ft
    Northern Marine
    10 guests
    Refit: 2024
    30 US Gall/Hr

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    11 reviews
    Jetski

    INSIEME

    From $62,500/week
    5 cabins
    105 ft
    Azimut
    8 guests
    Refit: 2023
    45 US Gall/Hr

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    CONTIGO

    From $230,000/week
    5 cabins
    134 ft
    Benetti
    10 guests
    Built: 2024

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    6 reviews
    Scuba Onboard

    PURA VIDA

    From $63,800/week
    4 cabins
    99 ft
    Moonen
    8 guests
    Refit: 2017
    50 US Gall/Hr

    View

    4 reviews
    Jetskis: 2

    BLUE GRYPHON

    From $70,000/week
    5 cabins
    83 ft
    Prout
    8 guests
    Refit: 2018
    7 US Gall/Hr

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    Jetskis: 2
    Jacuzzi
    Scuba Onboard

    Tranquility

    From $54,000/week
    4 cabins
    94 ft
    Lazzara
    7 guests
    Refit: 2023
    70-90 US Gall/Hr

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    Jacuzzi

    HALCYON

    From $110,000/week
    5 cabins
    112 ft
    San Lorenzo
    12 guests
    Built: 2018
    65 US Gall/Hr

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    BIG EASY

    From $160,000/week
    6 cabins
    148 ft
    Hakvoort
    12 guests
    Refit: 2021

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    MERCY

    From $125,000/week
    6 cabins
    121 ft
    Sunseeker
    12 guests
    Refit: 2023

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    All Included

    CRISTAL

    From $15,000/week
    3 cabins
    46 ft
    Lagoon
    6 guests
    Built: 2018

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    Salt Shaker

    From $26,900/week
    4 cabins
    70 ft
    Azimut
    9 guests
    Refit: 2022
    150 US Gall/Hr

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    RENAISSANCE

    From $3,000,000/week
    10+ cabins
    367 ft
    Freire Shipyard
    36 guests
    Built: 2023

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