Re-imagining Hurricane Hole as the jewel of the Bahamas

For more than 50 years, Hurricane Hole Marina at Paradise Landing in the Bahamas has been a favourite destination for yachts cruising the tranquil, turquoise waters of the region. Now, as work nears completion on its world-class redesign, the marina is set to offer some of the most exclusive superyacht berths in the Caribbean.

Before its US$250 million overhaul, the original 90-berth marina could accommodate relatively few yachts up to 200ft (61m), with fixed docks and approximately 10ft (3m) of water depth, while a single restaurant on site represented the extent of visitor amenities. However, the newly redeveloped and renamed Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina is set to be the “jewel” of Paradise Island’s newest master-planned marina community, says David Kosoy, executive chairman and founder of the project developer, manager and owner, Sterling Global Financial.
The island sits just off the shore of Nassau city, on the northern edge of New Providence in the Atlantic. With its year-round tropical climate, the region is one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations, with the Atlantis Resort – a 153 acre (62ha) waterscape featuring fresh and saltwater lagoons, pools, marine habitats, water slides and river rides – one of its biggest draws for tourists.
Work on the five-star marina and village is on target to complete in the fourth quarter of the year (see Marina World, July/August 2021, p17). Ahead of development, Sterling Global realised the fantastic potential for a superyacht marina on Paradise Island, the gateway to some of the best waters in the world, including the Exuma island chain. However, the existing marina was not set up for superyachts. “Yachts continue to get larger and require modern docks, power, water, fibre and amenities,” says Kosoy.
Paradise Island has long been a magnet for global buyers, celebrities and jetsetters seeking tropical island seclusion along with exciting nightlife. The marina is only a short flight from South Florida. By sea, the crossing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Nassau is 164nm (304km). The island provides superior cruising by day and round-the-clock access to the Atlantis Resort’s 40 restaurants and bars, luxury shopping, waterpark and casino, just a short walk away. “The new Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina will provide a venue on par with the expectation of the world’s elite,” Kosoy adds.
Working with an international team of development experts, architects and designers, the marina and village have been fully re-imagined to include luxury dockside residences, world-class retail, fine dining and extensive amenities designed for owners, guests and yacht crew. 
But making the dream a reality has taken significant work. A Bahamas-based construction team skilfully removed the marina’s original barrier sea wall, allowing crews to dredge inland and dramatically expand the new superyacht marina’s perimeter to 2,812,071ft² (261,249m²) from its original 190,901ft² (17,735m²). New, specifically engineered metal and concrete sea walls have been installed to eliminate currents and to reduce wave action and potential storm surge.
In addition to extending the marina’s circumference, crews carefully dredged the basin to a depth of 14.5ft (4.4m) from average low tide, making it one of the deepest marinas in the Caribbean. The redesigned marina will also feature a 240ft (73m) wide turning basin, ideal for navigating larger superyachts.
It now boasts a perimeter of more than 6,000ft (1,828m) of floating concrete docks with slips for yachts up to 420ft (128m). “With power pedestals every 50ft (15m), the marina has tremendous flexibility to accommodate multiple yachts in individual slips, which will provide enhanced service to transient customers and value to its dock owners,” says Kosoy.
The deep-water floating docks, custom manufactured by Bellingham Marine at its Jacksonville, Florida facility, have been designed and built to handle tidal changes and provide optimal flexibility for superyachts, sportfishing boats and smaller vessels. Bellingham’s Unifloat concrete floating dock system has “proven ecological benefits, including a small carbon footprint from manufacturing, and water quality benefits through marine habitat creation,” Kosoy says.
At berth and onshore
In addition to superyacht-specific offerings, the marina will offer all modern amenities, including in-dock fuelling and pump-out services, shower, dressing room, laundry facilities, high-speed Internet, 24-hour manned and monitored security, long-term parking, boat detailing, interior cleaning, golf cart and car rentals, and on-site customs and immigration services.
Working with the government-owned electricity company Bahamas Power & Light, the marina’s developers have also made a substantial investment to upgrade the power infrastructure. Clean, reliable 400-amp, 480-volt power will be readily available for yachts, residences and commercial properties at Paradise Landing. 
Sterling Global has also teamed up with the Bahamas National Trust to support and promote its work to protect the national parks, reefs and waters that the yachting community enjoys.
The Residences 
Alongside the marina, new luxury units will be available at The Residences at Paradise Landing, with two and three-bedroom marina-front layouts featuring dramatic water views. Owners at The Residences will also have special membership opportunities at the Ocean Club Golf and private Beach Club.
Additional amenities at Paradise Landing include waterfront bars, restaurants, a gourmet grocery store, executive office space offering daily/monthly rentals, yacht provisioning, a wine and liquor superstore with dockside delivery, a full-service gym, a dry cleaner, a medical clinic and pharmacy. Visitors can enjoy state-of-the-art fitness facilities, swimming pools, a crew lounge, private meeting spaces and charter management services. A separate pool, lounge and gym facilities dedicated for yacht captains and crew add to its unique appeal.
“We see the marina as the crown jewel in the most popular yachting experience in the Bahamas, with convenience and amenities that no other marina can match,” says Kosoy. The Bahamas is a boating paradise rivalled by few destinations when it comes to unspoiled beauty, clear waters, pristine beaches and the short distance from the US mainland. “For sport fishing, many say there is no better place in the world. For yacht owners, no other waters offer such stunning beauty. Like a string of pearls in pristine waters, its natural harbours, secluded beaches and friendly people make the Bahamas the greatest home port in the world for superyachts.”