Stocking Island Yacht Charter: Beaches, Anchorages & Elizabeth Harbour

Lying directly across Elizabeth Harbour from George Town, Stocking Island is one of the most important yacht charter stops in the southern Exumas. The narrow barrier island protects much of the harbour from the open waters of Exuma Sound, creating a long stretch of sheltered turquoise cruising water lined with beaches, anchorages, mooring fields, hiking trails, and laid-back places to come ashore.

Stocking Island feels dramatically more natural than nearby Great Exuma. Much of the island remains undeveloped, with white-sand beaches on the protected harbour side and a more rugged Atlantic coastline facing Exuma Sound. Snorkelers and divers can explore coral gardens, blue holes, and underwater caves, while hikers can cross the island's limestone ridges for panoramic views across the surrounding sea.

For yacht guests, the island provides an ideal balance between seclusion and convenience. Spend the morning at Sand Dollar Beach, hike to the historic Stocking Island Beacon, stop for lunch at Chat 'N' Chill on Volleyball Beach, then take the tender across Elizabeth Harbour to George Town for provisioning or dinner ashore.

Stocking Island forms the eastern side of Elizabeth Harbour, with George Town and Great Exuma lying directly across the water to the west. The harbour is spacious and generally well protected, but yachts must remain aware of shallow banks, reefs, sandbars, and designated shipping routes used by commercial vessels serving George Town.

Navigation becomes more confined closer to shore and around the island's hurricane holes and mooring areas. Larger yachts will generally remain in deeper sections of Elizabeth Harbour and use tenders for beach access, while captains should use current charts, visual navigation, and local knowledge when moving between the various Stocking Island anchorages.

Stocking Island offers several of the best-known anchoring areas in Elizabeth Harbour. The Monument and Hamburger Beach anchorage carries approximately 6 to 12 feet of water over predominantly clear sand with excellent holding. It offers good protection from many directions, although yachts must remain outside the adjacent main shipping channel used by vessels entering George Town.

Farther south, Sand Dollar Beach provides another popular yacht base with both anchoring space and a designated mooring field. Waterway Guide currently lists 43 moorings there, while additional moorings are available around Stocking Island's hurricane-hole areas. Together, these options allow captains to select a location according to yacht draft, wind direction, desired protection, and proximity to beaches or George Town.

Stocking Island has very few permanent residents and remains largely undeveloped outside a handful of restaurants, beach bars, resorts, and yacht-oriented facilities. One of its most recognizable landmarks is the Stocking Island Beacon, positioned on a limestone dune more than 100 feet above sea level and once used as a navigational marker. The surrounding trails provide spectacular views over both Elizabeth Harbour and Exuma Sound.

The island is also home to Chat 'N' Chill on Volleyball Beach, one of the best-known social stops in the Exumas. The beach bar has more than 1,000 feet of white-sand shoreline and is accessible from George Town by a short boat ride across Elizabeth Harbour.