Spanish Wells has no deep-water pier for large cruise ships — all passengers tender ashore to the Government Dock on the island's south side.
💡 Pro move: Sunday visits: Spanish Wells is a deeply religious community. Most shops, golf cart rentals, and restaurants close on Sundays. If your call is on a Sunday, book a ship-sponsored excursion before sailing.
There is no cruise pier — all ships tender passengers to the Government Dock on the southern waterfront.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Small luxury ships (Windstar, Seabourn, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection) | Spanish Wells Yacht Haven marina or Government Dock📍 | Docked |
| All larger cruise ships | Anchor offshore; tender to Government Dock📍 | Tendered |
From swimming pigs to world-class snorkeling, Spanish Wells punches well above its size for excursion options.
A 15-minute boat ride brings you to a tiny deserted island where friendly pigs (and ducks) wade right into the water to greet you. No need to go to Exuma.
Find swimming pig tours →A legendary shallow reef that wrecked Spanish galleons for centuries. Crystal-clear water, abundant fish, coral, and wreck remains make this one of the Bahamas' best snorkel sites.
Find snorkeling tours →Walk or golf-cart to Spanish Wells' North Beach and wade out onto vast sandbars that emerge at low tide. Crystal-clear, shallow water stretches as far as you can see.
Explore beach tours →Spanish Wells' fishing captains are some of the best in the Bahamas. The surrounding waters offer world-class bonefishing on the flats and blue-water deep-sea fishing offshore.
Find fishing charters →Rent a cart and explore the entire island at your own pace — pastel cottages, the harbor lined with million-dollar lobster boats, the Russell Island bridge, and hidden beaches.
Rent a golf cart →The whole island is walkable, but a golf cart makes it far more fun — especially to reach North Beach and the Russell Island bridge.
Walk straight across the island from the tender dock to the stunning North Beach. Follow the main road north through the village — you'll pass colorful cottages and the town center along the way.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Head west along the harbor road to the bridge connecting Spanish Wells (St. George's Cay) to Russell Island. Stop on the bridge to spot sea turtles and rays in the channel below, then continue to Russell Island's quieter beaches.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, Bahamas (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 75°F / 24°C | 70°F / 21°C | 10 | 6:55 AM | 5:38 PM |
| Feb | 76°F / 24°C | 71°F / 22°C | 7 | 6:41 AM | 6:00 PM |
| Mar | 77°F / 25°C | 71°F / 22°C | 7 | 7:16 AM | 7:15 PM |
| Apr | 79°F / 26°C | 73°F / 23°C | 12 | 6:44 AM | 7:30 PM |
| May | 81°F / 27°C | 75°F / 24°C | 16 | 6:21 AM | 7:45 PM |
| Jun | 84°F / 29°C | 78°F / 26°C | 18 | 6:16 AM | 7:59 PM |
| Jul | 86°F / 30°C | 80°F / 27°C | 18 | 6:25 AM | 8:00 PM |
| Aug | 86°F / 30°C | 80°F / 27°C | 18 | 6:40 AM | 7:41 PM |
| Sep | 85°F / 29°C | 80°F / 27°C | 19 | 6:53 AM | 7:10 PM |
| Oct | 82°F / 28°C | 77°F / 25°C | 19 | 7:05 AM | 6:39 PM |
| Nov | 79°F / 26°C | 75°F / 24°C | 13 | 6:24 AM | 5:18 PM |
| Dec | 77°F / 25°C | 72°F / 22°C | 9 | 6:45 AM | 5:18 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)