Compass Cay

Swimming with Nurse Sharks

The nurse sharks of Compass Cay are the main attraction, and they deliver an experience unlike anywhere else in the Bahamas. These sharks, scientifically known as Ginglymostoma cirratum, can grow up to ten feet long and live for 25 years or more. Despite their size, they are bottom-dwelling feeders that pose minimal danger to humans.

The sharks congregate around the marina docks, where they have been fed by locals and visitors for years. At high tide, they swim right up to the dock, allowing visitors to pet their smooth skin. At low tide, you can wade into the shallow water to swim alongside them. The experience is supervised and remarkably safe, though basic precautions like avoiding sudden movements are advised.

Compass Cay Marina

The Compass Cay Marina is owned and operated by Tucker Rolle, whose family has called this island home for generations. The marina offers a warm welcome to visiting boats, with dockage available and a small store selling basic provisions, drinks, and souvenirs.

Arriving with your own boat? Dockage fees apply, and the marina can accommodate a range of vessel sizes in its protected basin. Those arriving by tour boat or day trip from Staniel Cay typically pay a small entrance fee to access the shark swimming area. The marina operates on island time, so flexibility and patience are appreciated.

Beaches and Nature

While the nurse sharks are the headline act, Compass Cay offers beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling in the surrounding waters. The island's protected harbor provides calm swimming conditions, and the water clarity is exceptional throughout the Exuma Cays.

Walking trails lead across the island to secluded beaches on the ocean side, where you can beachcomb for shells and enjoy the solitude. The island is also home to various bird species and the occasional iguana sunning itself on the rocks.

Visiting Tips

Compass Cay lies just north of Staniel Cay and is easily visited as part of a day exploring the central Exuma Cays. Most visitors combine it with stops at Big Major Cay (swimming pigs) and Thunderball Grotto, creating a full day of iconic Bahamian experiences.

Bring a waterproof camera for shark photos, water shoes for wading, and cash for entrance fees and any purchases at the marina store. The sharks are most active around high tide, so timing your visit accordingly will enhance the experience.

Anchoring and Approach

Compass Cay sits in one of the rare naturally protected harbors in the Exumas, accessible from both the Exuma Banks and the Exuma Sound through channels marked with buoys and range markers. The marina entrance carries 6 feet at the approach and deepens to 12 feet dockside, accommodating most cruising vessels comfortably.

If the marina is full or you prefer to swing on the hook, Pipe Cay immediately to the south offers a peaceful anchorage in 8-10 feet over sand. From there, a short dinghy ride brings you to the marina for shark encounters and provisions. The holding is reliable, and the anchorage provides good protection in prevailing easterly winds.

The Nurse Shark Experience

The nurse sharks of Compass Cay are the main attraction, and they deliver an encounter unlike anywhere else in the Bahamas. The current population represents the third and fourth generations of sharks that have congregated around the marina docks, where the Rolle family has fed them for decades. Some individuals exceed two meters in length, yet they are remarkably docile bottom-dwellers that pose minimal danger to humans.

At high tide, the sharks swim right up to the dock, allowing visitors to pet their smooth skin while standing on the wooden planks. At low tide, you can wade into the shallow water and swim alongside them. Marina staff will brief you on etiquette: move slowly, avoid sudden splashing, never grab fins or tails, and let the sharks come to you.

Marina Facilities and Fees

Compass Cay Marina is owned and operated by the Rolle family, who have called this island home for generations. Tucker Rolle and his family provide a warm Bahamian welcome along with practical services for cruising boats. The marina has 20 slips, all available for transient vessels, accommodating boats up to 180 feet.

Dockage runs $4 per foot per day. Electrical service is available at 30 amps ($50/day), 50 amps ($80/day), or 100 amps ($160/day), with both 110V and 220V options. The marina store stocks ice, beer, soda, bottled water, limited provisions, and Compass Cay souvenirs. Laundry and shower facilities round out the amenities. Credit cards are accepted, but having cash on hand is always wise in the Out Islands.

Combining with Nearby Attractions

Compass Cay lies roughly 15-20 minutes by boat north of Staniel Cay, making it an easy addition to any Exumas itinerary. Most cruisers combine a shark swim here with visits to the swimming pigs at Big Major Cay and snorkeling at Thunderball Grotto, creating a full day of iconic Bahamian experiences all within a few miles of each other.

The entrance fee for shark swimming is approximately $10 per person for those arriving by tour boat. Guests docking at the marina typically have access included. Bring a waterproof camera, water shoes for wading on the sandy bottom, and enough time to simply soak in the atmosphere of one of the Exumas' most welcoming family-run outposts.

Getting there

Compass Cay is accessible by boat from Staniel Cay, approximately 15 to 20 minutes away. Most visitors arrive as part of guided day trips that include the swimming pigs and Thunderball Grotto, or by private yacht. There is no airstrip on Compass Cay, so air travelers fly into Staniel Cay and continue by boat. The marina welcomes visiting vessels with advance notice.

Frequently asked questions

Are the nurse sharks at Compass Cay dangerous?

Nurse sharks are generally docile and pose minimal risk to humans. They are bottom-dwelling feeders, not aggressive hunters. However, they are wild animals, so visitors should avoid sudden movements, never grab their tails or fins, and follow guidance from marina staff.

Can you touch the nurse sharks?

Yes, the sharks at Compass Cay are accustomed to human contact and can be gently petted. They often swim up to the dock at high tide, allowing visitors to touch their smooth skin. Always approach calmly and let the sharks come to you.

How much does it cost to visit Compass Cay?

Visitors arriving by tour boat or day trip pay an entrance fee of approximately $10 per person. Those arriving by private vessel may pay dockage fees at the marina. Check current rates with tour operators or the marina directly.

How much does dockage cost at Compass Cay Marina?

Dockage is $4 per foot per day. Electrical service is additional: 30 amps costs $50 per day, 50 amps is $80 per day, and 100 amps is $160 per day. Both 110V and 220V power are available.

Is it safe to swim with the nurse sharks at Compass Cay?

Yes. Nurse sharks are docile bottom-feeders that have been interacting with humans at this marina for generations. Move slowly, avoid sudden splashing, never grab their fins or tails, and let the sharks approach you. Marina staff will brief visitors on proper etiquette before entering the water.

Where can I anchor if Compass Cay Marina is full?

Anchor off Pipe Cay, located just south of Compass Cay. The anchorage offers 8-10 feet over sand with good holding and protection in prevailing easterly winds. A short dinghy ride brings you to the marina for shark encounters and provisions.