The verdict on Stocking Island
- Who it suitsVisitors and the sailing crowd around George Town who want calm harbour swimming, a relaxed beach bar day and a short ferry adventure.
- Best spotThe harbour side beaches near the famous casual beach bar, where the water is calm and the scene is easy, with the ocean side dunes a short walk over the spine.
- One thing to knowStocking Island is reached by ferry or boat from George Town, so it is a short crossing rather than a drive up, and the harbour side is calm while the Atlantic side can be livelier.
Published 12 March 2026. Last reviewed 9 May 2026
Stocking Island is the long, low island that shelters George Town across Elizabeth Harbour on Great Exuma, and for the boats and visitors based in town it is the natural day out. A short ferry or dinghy ride brings you over to a string of calm harbour side beaches, a famous casual beach bar that anchors the local sailing scene, and walking trails over the spine to a wilder Atlantic shore.
The harbour side is the easy, sociable side. The water is calm and clear, the swimming is gentle, and the beach bar has long been the gathering point for the cruisers who winter in Elizabeth Harbour, so there is a real, if low key, scene here in season rather than empty sand. We never invent venues or their prices, so treat hours and minimum spend as to be confirmed and check before you build a day around them.
Walk over the narrow spine of the island and the mood changes. The Atlantic side has higher dunes, a longer open beach and livelier water, a fine contrast to the sheltered coves and a good leg stretch. The shallow flats around the island are also known for sand dollars, so a slow wade at low tide can turn up a few, which you admire and, if they are still alive, leave where they lie.
Come to Stocking Island for calm harbour swimming, a relaxed beach bar day and a short crossing with a bit of adventure to it. For a long quiet crescent to yourself nearby, Tropic of Cancer Beach on Little Exuma is hard to beat, while the swimming pigs at Pig Beach make a lively boat trip. For verified clubs and day passes across the islands, use our Bahamas beach clubs directory.
Clubs on and near Stocking Island
Stocking Island has a famous casual beach bar but no daybed and bottle service club, and we never invent venues, prices or status. For the clubs and day passes we have verified across the Bahamas, use the Bahamas beach clubs directory.
Public beach access at Stocking Island
Stocking Island is a public island across from George Town, so the sand is open to everyone along the shore. Loungers and shade where present belong to nearby homes and operators, so ask before you settle in.
No standalone beach club on the sand
We never invent venues, so for arranged loungers, food and drink we point you to the verified options in our directory rather than naming a club that is not here.
Stocking Island, Stocking Island, Bahamas
Stocking Island sits across Elizabeth Harbour from George Town on Great Exuma, reached by a regular ferry or by dinghy and small boat from the town waterfront. The crossing is short and scenic, and once over you can walk between the harbour coves and over the spine to the Atlantic side.
Bring water, shade and some cash, and treat the beach bar hours and prices as to be confirmed rather than guaranteed. The harbour side swimming is calm and gentle, but there is no reliable lifeguard, so take normal care, especially on the livelier ocean side.
Reserve a daybed near Stocking Island
Send your details and we will help arrange a beach club or daybed booking around the Exumas and the wider Bahamas to pair with a day on Stocking Island. We confirm current minimum spend and availability with the venue before you commit. Nothing is charged here.
Stocking Island FAQ
How do you get to Stocking Island?
By water from George Town on Great Exuma. A regular ferry crosses Elizabeth Harbour, and many visitors come by dinghy or small boat from the town waterfront. The crossing is short and scenic, and there is no road bridge to the island.
What is there to do on Stocking Island?
Calm harbour side swimming, a relaxed day at the famous casual beach bar, walking trails over the spine to a wilder Atlantic beach, and wading the shallow flats for sand dollars at low tide. It is the natural day out for anyone based around George Town.
Is there a beach bar on Stocking Island?
Yes, a well known casual beach bar on the harbour side has long been a fixture of the George Town sailing scene. We never invent details, so treat its hours and any minimum spend as to be confirmed and check locally before you plan around it.
Can you swim at Stocking Island?
Yes. The harbour side is sheltered, calm and clear, which makes for gentle and easy swimming in normal conditions. The Atlantic side over the spine is livelier, and there is no reliable lifeguard, so take normal care, as conditions are typical and never guaranteed.
When is the best time to visit Stocking Island?
The drier, cooler season from December to May brings the calmest, clearest water and the liveliest harbour scene, which peaks around the spring sailing season when many boats are anchored in Elizabeth Harbour.