Cat Cay Yacht Charters - Bimini, Bahamas

Cat Cay is one of the most exclusive yacht charter stops in the Bimini Islands, located south of North and South Bimini near the western edge of the Great Bahama Bank. The destination generally refers to North Cat Cay, a privately owned island centered around the historic Cat Cay Yacht Club. With clear Bahamian water, white sand, excellent fishing grounds and a protected marina, Cat Cay has long been closely associated with yachting and sport fishing.

Unlike many islands in The Bahamas, Cat Cay is not a public destination where visitors can simply arrive and explore freely. Access ashore is controlled by the private club, so charter yachts planning to use the marina or club facilities should confirm arrangements before arrival. For yachts with access, the island offers a polished private club atmosphere with dining, a beach, a swimming pool, golf and other recreational facilities.

Cat Cay is also extremely well positioned for exploring southern Bimini. Gun Cay and Honeymoon Harbour lie nearby, while South Bimini is a short cruise to the north. Its location roughly 50 nautical miles from Miami also makes Cat Cay a convenient first or final stop for certain yacht itineraries crossing between Florida and The Bahamas.

Cat Cay Yacht Club Marina is situated on the eastern side of North Cat Cay, facing the shallow waters of the Great Bahama Bank. Yachts approaching from the Florida Straits can reach the marina through Gun Cay Cut, which provides access from the deeper western waters onto the bank side of the island. The club advises visiting yachts to arrange marina reservations in advance.

Navigation around Cat Cay requires the usual care associated with cruising Bimini, particularly where shallow banks, reefs and sand patches create rapidly changing depths. The marina itself is well protected by the island, airstrip and surrounding land formations. Current marina information indicates that yachts up to approximately 160 feet can be accommodated, although captains should always verify available berths, draft restrictions and current conditions before arrival.

Yachts that do not berth at the marina can find anchoring possibilities around Cat Cay, particularly along the western side of North Cat Cay. The North Cat Cay West Side Harbor anchorage has depths of around eight feet with good holding in sandy patches. However, the location can experience surge when seas have a southerly or westerly component, making it more suitable in settled conditions.

Additional anchoring is possible around South Cat Cay, where the western side offers approximately ten feet of water and good holding in sand. Protection is limited from northwest through southwest, so weather conditions should be considered carefully before choosing it for an overnight stop. Because North Cat Cay is private, anchoring nearby does not automatically provide access to the island or its club facilities.

North Cat Cay has developed around the Cat Cay Yacht Club, which was established as a private club during the 1930s and became closely linked with big game fishing and recreational boating. The island remains privately controlled today, with access primarily intended for members, their guests and approved yacht visitors. Its marina includes more than 100 slips, fuel facilities and a Bahamas Customs and Immigration presence, making Cat Cay particularly useful for yachts entering the country from Florida.

The island combines its yachting heritage with a quiet residential atmosphere. White sand beaches, a golf course, dining facilities and recreational amenities occupy a compact island surrounded by the vivid blue water for which Bimini is known. For charter itineraries with the appropriate access arrangements, Cat Cay can provide a very different experience from the more public and lively atmosphere of North Bimini.