TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums General Caribbean Exumas Bareboat

Rookie bareboaters with experience who were going to go to BVIs in September. Obviously that didn't happen. Were considering going back in June but some of the crew are hesitant. We were exploring other options and wanted to get opinions on Exumas. Moorings just added that as a destination, but prices are astronomical. Any of the other charter companies there reputable?

We love the exumas, but can be a tough spot to bareboat compared to BVI. I don't know where the base is, but Georgetown is the main city in Exumas.

Some differences:
1. Groceries are mostly available in Georgetown and some days the supplies vary. You can get fresh fish from locals.
2. Tide. You have to pay attention, you will run aground, it happens.
3. You can just hang in the water with a beer unless you have a line attached, you will drift fast.
4. From Georgetown everything is generally downwind, then upwind. So not a lot of great sailing. A one way from Georgetown would be great. Or heading to Long Island from Georgetown.
4. The beaches are much better than anything in BVI
5. You will find occasional beach bars.
6. In June the crowds will be thin as the cruisers will need to be heading out for Hurricane season insurance requirements.

Looks like the Moorings would have you starting at Highbourne Cay, at the northern end of the Exumas. This is a swanky resort island, with a megayacht marina, and services to match. You can get groceries and liquor here, but I imagine they are pricey and limited -- and you won't be able to get anything else -- no food, water, ice, fuel, restaurants -- until you travel substantially south (Staniel Cay, or Black Point settlement).

There is a charter outfit outside of Nassau called Navtours that also allows Exuma charters. They market to a French Canadian market, which is why you don't hear much about them. We sailed with them this May, crossing from New Providence to Shroud Cay, in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park (aka Paradise) and ending at Staniel Cay (and paying the one-way charter premium). New Providence island has a lot more choices for provisioning, and it's easy to get a flight to Nassau from the U.S. I expect charter rates are more "reasonable" as well. (My trip report is here: Exumas Charter)

However, in addition to the points Mike K. lists, you need to add the consideration of the crossing here. In June, the weather is not likely to be an issue impacting your crossing, but despite chart plotters, you've pretty much got to have someone on watch while crossing the "Yellow Bank" to watch for uncharted coral heads. If you're stuck motoring (as is likely the case), this is a 7+ hour trip.

The Exumas are the stuff of beach lover and escapist fantasies (swimming pigs and the tourists they attract notwithstanding....). However, for a first time charterer, I would strongly suggest the Abacos over the Exumas. They are less charter-oriented than the BVIs, but definitely boat-oriented, with line of sight navigation, shallow and protected waters, and lots of amenities for sailors. Also, several charter companies from which to choose.

Who do you recommend out of the Abacos for catamaran bareboat? We have been to Elbow before but were land based with a power boat. Great area.

Both Moorings and Sunsail are available in the Abacos, and they are always a safe bet. However, my personal preference is to go with someone smaller. I've heard good things about Cruise Abaco, which might be locally owned (not sure). Also, Dream Yacht Charters has a base in the Abacos.

The charter bases are all in Marsh Harbour, which makes it easy to fly in. And there is a large grocery store (Maxwell's) to meet your needs (as well as liquor stores, a bakery -- gotta have Bahamian bread!).

I was set up with Moorings in BVI, but in the Abacos, they are THOUSANDS more expensive for the same week in June. DYC is a reputable outfit?

I have heard good things about Dream Yacht Charters, but have no personal experience.

Can you charter in the Abacos in February or is it iffy?
Thanks
Ellen

February is iffy for weather, with cold fronts passing through regularly. There are only a handful of harbors that are protected from the west, and you could be stuck for a couple of days until the weather settles. You could get lucky and have perfect weather, but management of expectations is key in the "winter" months.

Thanks Eva,
Do you need to wait until May for the weather to settle?
Ellen

Regarding weather in the Bahamas, do remember that the Bahamas are roughly on the same latitude as Miami, so weather in general in the winter may not be that WARM.

Eva hit it right on the nose about the cold fronts. I was there in late January when a westerly with 30 to 40 mph winds set in for a few days. We were holed up in Compass Cay for three days. No restaurant and only very expensive beer, liquor and snacks for sale at the marina but even still, there are much worse places to be stranded at for 3 days. Tucker the owner of the marina is a great guy and the island is beyond beautiful with a great beach on the north side. Swimming with all the nurse sharks was pretty cool too. Our next stop, Staniel Cay was a regular metropolis compared to Compass Cay. I loved both of those islands.

You could probably go in April, with increased odds of reliably good weather; but May is a better bet.

Hi there, sorry for the time delay, I just noticed your post about our absolute favorite place. We have chartered a catamaran and cruised the Exumas at least 5 times in the last 7 years from a Canadian Company called Navtours. https://www.navtours.com/en/home/

We have sailed Georgetown to Nassau, Georgetown north then back down, Nassau to Georgetown, and this year was Nassau south to Black Point then back North. As far as timing we have been down in all months between December and June multiple times (Some land based). Its the luck of the draw in the winter months - January was chilly, but we've had great weather in February along with cool.

later March and April are great times in my opinion. Less cold fronts, the water is warming up nicely, fishing is good. Because of the extra distance to cover compared to the BVI's, you need 10 days or 2 weeks ideally. You will likely have to make adjustments to your itinerary depending on the weather, but not a big deal. Someone mentioned staying at Compass Cay, that's our go to place for when the wind is forecast to be up. That way we're protected and there are things to do - swim with the sharks, go for a hike, paddle the creek, etc. Check out Navtours - they have been very good to us over the years, and we have never had an issue. I'm not connected in any way, I just wanted to point out they are a great charter option.

We are planning to bareboat the Exumas in Late April of 2020. We are probably going to charter from Moorings in Nassau. 7 days, south the back up. What are some favorite cays? How long to motor from Nassau to Highborne Cay? It’s a power cat 514. We should be able to cruise about 10 knots.

You should plan on 5-6 hours to get to Highbourne Cay. Even though you can cruse at 10 knots, you may not want to -- you will be crossing the Yellow Bank to get over, which is riddled with coral heads, only some of which are charted. So caution and a good lookout will be essential.

In terms of favorite cays, it really depends on what you're looking for. I'll be bareboating in the Exumas in a few weeks, and I plan to avoid all human contact on this trip, except with my crew and with the staff at Exuma Park headquarters in Warderick Wells. For "civilization," there is Highbourne Cay (pretty swanky, as the Exumas go); Normans Cay (one restaurant); Compass Cay (marina, and sometimes burgers on the grill); Staniel Cay (popular marina, restaurant, bar, resort); Black Sound (settlement with stores, restaurants) -- and a few more if you keep going south. Pretty much everything else is uninhabited, or at least amenity-less -- the entire stretch between Normans Cay and Compass Cay being part of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.

How was your trip to the Exumas? We leave mid April. Did you charter with Moorings? I was wondering about their base...

The trip was amazing -- it's hard for the Exumas to be anything but! We sailed with Navtours, not the Moorings. Here is my blog post of that trip: Exumas Bareboat Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Has anyone ever incorporated Green Cay on the Tongue of the Ocean to their Exumas itinerary? Or been there?

thanks for sharing your trip!! took me away since I cannot get anywhere right now, or for a while....