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Cistern Rock/Bottom Bay

Location: North Eleuthera
Lat / Lon: N 25° 27.516' / W 076° 38.072'
Depth: 9'-11'
Tide: 2.0'-2.5'
Description:
Cistern Rock is the site of the old ferry dock between Harbour Island and the mainland. It was destroyed by a storm and was replaced by the current facility. There are some broken pilings left in the area but not much other evidence of the old dock, but it does serve as a marker for the end of a sandbar that is the result of water rushing in from the ocean through the Harbour Island Cut. The controlling depth past the pilings is 6'. Deeper drafted vessels wishing to access the Harbour Island Cut, or to anchor in Bottom Harbour can wait here for the tide to rise, otherwise it is better to continue along the shoreline and anchor south of Cistern Rock. The holding is good.

Holding:

5.00

Fair holding in Sand Avoid grassy patches

Wind Protection:

4.00

NE-W

Current Flow:

4.00

Wake Protection:

4.00

Scenic Beauty:

4.00

Ease of Shopping:

2.00

Shore Access:

4.00

Beach nearby

Pet Friendly:

4.00

Beach nearby

Cell Service:

4.00

Good Coverage

WiFi:

3.00

Review for Cistern Rock/Bottom Bay

Reviewed by: Jason Spitz, Breathe, on Jan 17, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

2

Shore Access:

4

Pet Friendly:

4

Cell Service:

4

WiFi:

3

You can anchor in most of Bottom Harbour Bay. Pick your spot depending on draft and wind direction. We found that charted depths are conservative and you can get closer to shore in several areas.

Cistern Rocks provides an Excellent Snorkeling spot with many juvenile fish, corals, anemones, turtles, rays, etc. Please do NOT spearfish here. It's within 200yards of shoreline and is a popular tourist destination.

Snorkeling by Whale Point in the channel also possible, with ruins of a dock housing large schools of grunts and other fish. Turtle grass is abundant.

At the mouth of the lagoon in the southern portion of the bay, you'll find large groups of green sea turtles that are super friendly and will come right up to your dinghy or to you in the water. Please do not feed them as it alters behavior and makes them much more likely to be struck by boat propellers. Be careful in the bay as there are dozens and dozens of turtles throughout.

It's a beautiful spot with several spots to go ashore and walk. You can even walk the 2 miles or so to Glass Window from here!

Visit www.facebook.com/breathesaildive and we've posted many photos from the various areas around the anchorage and on shore.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer