I've seen posts questioning the availability of charters in the Bahamas. I've come across this newly available cat - a Leopard 46 - Island Girl

I don't have any connection to this boat - it's just an interesting alternative for those looking to charter at a new location. Plus, the rates look pretty good!

Very cool! A boat trip in the Exumas is on our bucket list. Just gotta quit booking 3 trips at a time to the BVI <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

We might be there this May/June Chris <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

You've got me thinking now, Mike! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

Ours too...

Bahamas are beautiful, did them a while ago on a 36' Corsair trimaran.

We sailed Biscayne Bay to the Abacos, the Berry Islands, and Bimini and back again. Would love to get to the Exumas someday.

Beautiful and unspoiled!

We would love to know more about chartering in the Bahamas.
Which forum would have the best info?
Thanks

Contact us at dycharters@aol.com and we can help you find the right boat. Best regards Curt

We'd love to charter in the Bahamas/Abacos. Have heard good things and have never been there.

However, every time we look into it seriously it turns out that the boats are much more expensive than what we're used to paying in the USVI and other places we've been.

We recently considered the Bahamas for this summer, but essentially got priced out. Boat availability played a role in this as well. Starting earlier may help some, but it's not gonna close the gap, based on the prices I've seen.

I'm getting a bit discouraged!

We took Karenmmc's advice and have recently returned from a charter aboard Island Girl in the Exumas. What a beautiful boat and talk about amazing cruising grounds. I have charted in the BVI's several times and have always loved it. My crew wanted to try something different and we had a great time. We did a one way from Georgetown up to Nassau over 10 days. (paid for 7 and got 10 days) I highly recommend checking out this cruising option.

John

John, how was provisioning?

Mike,

Provisioning is not a problem. There are 2 grocery stores in GT with plenty of supplies. Also several liquor stores to choose from. Everything is within walking distance to the EYC docks.

Cheers,
john

I'd love to read a trip report about your time there. We are considering this same route for next year.
Thanks

us too. someone who had been said it could be colder if you went to early (march april) and hot and buggy if you went later- july.

an area to know more about for sure

I have been aboard Island Girl for about 3 weeks. The Exumas are NOT BVI. This area is much prettier. The colors of blue remind me of the Greens of Ireland.

The owner of the boat has a vested interest and turning this from a former charter boat to a proper boat. I am extremely happy with the condition of the boat especially considering there are not local resources for parts.

Some differences from BVI. You have to deal with tide and current, you cant just float off the boat and drink cocktails like in BVI. There isn't much snorkeling here due to the sand. There isn't as much sailing either as everything is upwind or downwind. You also have to be very good at reading the water colors and can't be shy about cruising for hours with just 2 feet under your keel.

We went out to Long Island the other day and at Cape Santa Maria was one of the top beaches we have ever been on. Nothing matches it in BVI.

Provisioning here isn't as expensive as we thought, but there isn't the selection. Also there aren't the places to eat out and drink as there are in BVI. But when you eat out the prices are great.

We are here for another 2 weeks, feel free to ask me specific questions.

what are the best months?
I heard some were cold and others buggy?

The Bahamas are roughly on the same lattitude as Miami--winter months can be chilly..

Just booked Island Girl for a week charter in May 2014. We have chartered in the US/BVI many times, will be the first time for the Exumas! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />

Please, please, please ... will you do a trip report after your charter?
We've been wanting to go to the Bahamas and would love to hear how you like it!

Indeed!

Best snorkeling I ever did was in the Berry Islands?

One will be done, and the pictures will be amazing. One of the couples coming on the charter has an amazing travel blog.
Here's the link, and I'll post another link after the trip.
She has a few Trip Reports from the BVI and one when they came to Canada to visit...worth reading!
http://vicki-h.travellerspoint.com/131/

Amazing indeed! That chick can write, shoot pix, and edit extremely well. About the best I've seen in a long time. I'm hooked, and got it bookmarked!

Oops...that was me not signed in.

Another option for information on cruising the Exumas:

http://www.multihulls4us.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5718

(small fee involved)

We sailed the Abacos twice in the last 6 months and we have cruised extensively thru the entire chain. It is a wonderful place but the time of year is critical.

MustangSally - what is the best time of year to cruise there?

Last year we found a French Canadian company out of Nassau that lets you go down to the Exumas. We have not booked anything with them but they have allot of boats: http://www.viyachts.com/bahamas-bareboats/index.php
Personaly I like the 4600 if anyone charters it let me know how it goes.
Tom

what do you find to be the best time of year for Bahamas?
do you have a recommendation for by the cabin broker?

The Bahamas are great for a yacht charter vacation. there are several catamarans available for Bahamas chartering, but not nearly as many as there are in the BVIs.

Here's one called Amazing Grace that was built by Admiral in 2007 and underwent a refit just this year. Sleeps 6 in 3 queen cabins. Lovely, just lovely.

Here's a link for details and photos: http://yachtsbhc.com/worldwide-yacht-cha...AMAZING%20GRACE