Reviews: Clifton Bay - West Bay

Reviews Summary

The reviews highlight a popular anchorage known for its beautiful beach and good holding conditions, particularly in sand. However, there are significant considerations for potential visitors:

1. Entrance Conditions: Reviewers noted that large ocean swells can create challenging breaking waves at the entrance, especially on days with high swells. Caution is advised when planning arrival.

2. Shelter and Wind Protection: The anchorage offers good shelter from the northeast to southeast winds, but is unprotected from the west. Reviewers experienced high winds and found the holding to be excellent, with depths ranging from 2 to 8 feet.

3. Shore Access: Access to the beach is limited, with no commercial facilities nearby. Visitors must leave their dinghies on the beach, which can be challenging due to the distance from the water and lack of secure tie-down options.

4. Amenities: While the area is beautiful and offers a great beach (Jaws Beach), there are no restaurants or businesses close by, requiring a long walk to find supplies. Some reviewers mentioned taxi services available for provisioning.

5. Overall Experience: Despite the challenges, many found it a great stopover point, especially for those traveling between the Berrys and the Exumas, appreciating the scenic views and the opportunity for beach walks.

In summary, while the anchorage is praised for its beauty and holding conditions, potential visitors should be prepared for challenging entrance conditions, limited shore access, and a lack of nearby amenities.

Review for Clifton Bay - West Bay

Reviewed by: Denis Lacroix, No Plan B, on Feb 18, 2026
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 6.0'

Planned arrival here and was surprised to see very large breaking waves at entrance. A relatively calm day but large ocean swells created significant breakers at entrance. Was close to slack. Chose not to transit. Did not find any prior comments to this regard. Caution if planning arrival on a day where ocean swells are large.

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Review for Clifton Bay - West Bay

Reviewed by: Rey Stephane on May 7, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Large anchorage well sheltered from North East to South East, you have to go as close as possible to the beach to avoid the rolling waves which go around the south-eastern point. Lots of sand bottom with 2/3 m depth. Very calm, no nuisance from the airport, just a little noise from the power station which is not far away. Beautiful beach but leaving the annex is not very easy

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Review for Clifton Bay - West Bay

Reviewed by: Tony Buntyn on Jan 25, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

We waited out a stretch of high winds out of the N and E. Up to 25mph for 5 days. Excellent holding. Plenty of room. Beautiful water and beach (Jaws Beach). Taxi service right to the beach (Monique and Big Mama) took us to provision, etc. Great time.

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Review for Clifton Bay - West Bay

Reviewed by: Martin Filion, Emyliz I, on Jan 21, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 32'
Draft: 4.5'

This place is beautifull, the holding is really good and there is enough water to be able to get close to the beach but be aware that the swell is greater near the beach. If you want to be in flat water, go to the north part of the bay. The beach is beautifull and clean. Be aware that there is nothing there, no restaurant, no businesses, you will have to walk a long way to find anything commercial. The shore access is inexistant, you will have to leave your dinghy on the beach and there nothing to tie it down exept if you bring it to one of the tree that are about 75 foot from the water so not so easy. To get to the beach in dingy, aim for the pilars and stay on the left side because all on the right side is rocks rocks rocks that will get out of the water on low tides.

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Review for Clifton Bay - West Bay

Reviewed by: Eric Anderson on Apr 13, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.0'

Great wind protection from anything but west. Rode out 2 day storm 20-30k wind's from north then from east. Great holding in sand. We tucked up in the area marked 6' and had no issues with depth. Jaws beach has a dumpster for trash and a great place to walk your dog.

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Review for Clifton Bay - West Bay

Reviewed by: Richard Osman on Apr 11, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 45'
Draft: 5.0'

Great place to stop if winds out of the N through S. Unprotected from the west. Great views but limited shore access. Jaws beach with free landing and pilings that you can lock your dinghy too but it is a long trip to civilization/stores. Lyford to the N is all private. Great stop though.

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Review for Clifton Bay - West Bay

Reviewed by: Cheryl Catteau on Feb 12, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 36'
Draft: 6.0'

Great spot on route south or north but there is a huge surge from the south no matter of the wind direction.

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Review for Clifton Bay - West Bay

Reviewed by: Lucy Wilcox on Apr 4, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 3.9'

Protected from the north and east; completely exposed to the west. Good holding in 6-8 feet of water. You can dinghy to the National Park beach for a walk. Great spot to stop on the way from the Berrys to the Exumas.

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