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French Bay, San Salvador, Southern Bahamas

The chart and following text are from The Southern Bahamas Guide by Stephen J. Pavlidis

French Bay

French Bay - ¾ nm SW of Sandy Point:
23º 56.10’ N, 74º 34.80’ W

Navigational Information
If you need a shelter from northwest to almost northeast winds you might try anchoring in French Bay at the southern end of San Salvador.  A waypoint at 23º 56.10’ N, 74º 34.80’ W, will place you approximately ¾ mile southwest of Sandy Point as shown on Chart SS-3.  Pass well south of Sandy Point giving it, and the reefs lying off the point, a wide berth.  Watch out for the many dive boat mooring buoys located in this area.  Head into French Bay and anchor well west of the dock as close as your draft will allow.  There are a few coral heads about with plenty of sand between them where you can set your hook.  When entering French Bay be careful to avoid the reef lying to the south and east of the dock.

This anchorage is not good for winds from east/northeast through south to west.  The reefs south and east of French Bay offer excellent diving and fishing.  In places, tremendous stands of elkhorn and staghorn coral rise from 30’-50’ foot depths almost to the surface. 

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