Georgetown is definitely one of the best places in the Exumas for provisioning as well as spare parts, hardware needs, etc. There’s a convenient dinghy dock behind Exumas Market where you can even get free potable water. Across from the dinghy dock is the fuel station that sells both diesel and gasoline. You reach the dinghy dock by entering through a tunnel next to the big pink building as you approach downtown.
Exumas Market stocks a great variety of food, fresh produce, meat, fish, frozen items and cleaning supplies. They also have a nice selection of exotic food, but off course at a price. There is another grocery store across the bay from the dingy dock called Shop Rite, opposite the informal structure of the farmer’s market. We found this shop less expensive than Exumas Market, and more locals also shop at this store. You can sometimes even find great deals on locally grown produce that might be nearing the end of their life. I bought five pounds of organic tomatoes for seven dollars. They kept well for another three days and then whatever we didn’t use by then, I made into a sauce and froze for later use.
You can also leave your dinghy by the wall, climb out on the wooden ladder and then walk a short distance to the laundromat (turn left as you come up the ladder). The laundromat is usually quite busy, so go early if you need your laundry the same day. You can also drop off and collect the following day. The price if you do it yourself is about $7.50 per load for wash and $7.50 per load for drying. If you drop and pickup, it is about $25 extra per load for handling and folding.
There’s a well stocked liquor store close to the dinghy dock, as well as a small truck where you dump your garbage. The garbage works on the honor system and you throw the money into the slightly open window of the truck onto the front seat. The suggested price is $2 for a small bag and $5 for a large bag.
The marine store that was located in town just over the bridge had closed down so both the marine store and the automotive and general hardware stores are at least a mile or two out of town.
Brown’s Marine is a fairly well stocked marine store and the most likely place to find spares and other boating equipment. We also had our propane tanks refilled at a reasonable price. It is about 2.5 miles to the east of the main town, so you can get there by taxi via Queen’s Highway. We took a dingy ride on the small boat route towards the east, past Crab Cay and then went over the very shallow area between the land and Burrows Cay and then we got to Brown’s Marine. This route can only be taken during high tide because during low tide the area is almost dry. At least you can reach Brown’s Marine going around Red Shank Cays, albeit a little bit longer.
About 1.5 miles to the west of town is a fairly well stocked Napa Store with lots of boating spares and equipment. You can take the dinghy around Goat Cay to the west of the government dock, and beach on the sand. It is then a short walk across the road to the store.
Georgetown also boasts some boutiques, craft shops and some eateries. Even the small local establishments serve decent meals, cold beers and prices that is not exorbitant.
At the time of our visit, the new marina was still under construction, but the breakwaters were impressive and the docks very sturdy. The restaurant on the docks have live music most of the time and the parties can get a bit rowdy if you anchor too close to town.
It might be a good idea to anchor close to town to do shopping, laundry and and so, and then move over to Stocking Island for a more peaceful night.