Marine Services in Georgetown, Exumas
Georgetown isn't a refit destination. It's an anchorage — Elizabeth Harbour, ringed by Great Exuma and Stocking Island — that empties out in May and fills with two to three hundred cruisers each winter. If you've blown a head gasket east of Long Island, this is where you'll come to fix it. If you need a haul-out, you'll need to keep going.
What Georgetown does well: a tight cruising community, a Cruisers' Net every morning that doubles as a marketplace, decent provisioning at Exuma Markets, and enough independent trades to handle anything short of major surgery. What it doesn't do: heavy yard work, big-yard storage, or fast turnarounds on imported parts.
Where things happen
Elizabeth Harbour anchorage
Several distinct holding areas across Stocking Island side (Sand Dollar, Volleyball Beach, Hamburger Beach) and the Georgetown side. Each has its own VHF protocol and dinghy run. The main dinghy dock at Exuma Markets is the social and logistical hub.
Exuma Markets
Provisioning, fuel dock, water, and the main parcel pickup. Cruisers receive packages here via the harbourmaster's arrangement. Bring USD cash for fuel; cards work for groceries.
The Cruisers' Net (VHF 72, 08:10)
Daily. Weather, announcements, trades and recommendations, the daily marketplace. If you need a mechanic, an electrician, or someone with a spare impeller for a Yanmar 3GM30, you ask on the net. Cruisers report this is the single most valuable information channel in the harbour.
What it costs
| Service | Common range (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | Free | No fees in Elizabeth Harbour |
| Diesel at fuel dock | $5.50–6.50/gal | Above US prices, varies with shipment |
| Water at fuel dock | $0.25–0.50/gal | RO water |
| Independent mechanic / hour | $50–75 | Plus dinghy fare in some cases |
| Parts forwarding (Florida → Georgetown) | $80–250 + duty | Air freight via Bahamasair |
| Diver — bottom + zincs | $80–130 | 40 ft, scheduled through the net |
Services you can actually find
- Engines: Yanmar, Volvo, Westerbeke, Universal. Two regular mechanics work the harbour through cruising season. Diagnostic visits are dinghy-call.
- Electrical: Basic 12V troubleshooting, charger and inverter swaps, solar panel installs. Complex lithium retrofits — most cruisers wait for Nassau or the US.
- Welding/fabrication: Limited but available — a small shop ashore handles stainless work on a slow turnaround.
- Sail repair: A travelling sailmaker visits during high season; otherwise basic stitching can be done by cruisers using on-board palm-and-needle setups.
- Diving: Bottom cleans, prop work, lost-anchor recovery — easy to arrange on the net.
- Provisioning: Exuma Markets, Top to Bottom (hardware), and a hardware store ashore. Fresh produce arrives Wednesdays and Saturdays on the mailboat.
If you need a yard
Common cruiser routings: north to Marsh Harbour (Abacos) for travelift work, or further north to Florida — Lauderdale Marine Center, Riverside Marina, or any of the Stuart yards. South-bound routings to the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico are doable but require an upwind leg most cruisers avoid in winter.
Frequently asked questions
Can you haul out in Georgetown?
No. There's no commercial travelift in Georgetown. Closest haul-outs are Nassau or Marsh Harbour. Plan accordingly if you need yard work during a Bahamas season.
How do parts get to Georgetown?
Most parts flow via a Florida forwarder onto Bahamasair into Exuma International. Customs applies; the cruising permit reduces duty on documented marine parts.
Is fuel available?
Yes. Exuma Markets fuel dock handles diesel and gasoline. Expect a premium of $1.20–1.50 per gallon over US prices.
Is there a mechanic?
Yes. Independent mechanics work the harbour through cruising season. Make contact on VHF 72 during the morning net.
What's the WiFi like?
Patchy on marina WiFi. Starlink works well in the harbour and BTC cellular service is reliable. The Cruisers' Net remains the primary information channel.