Back to the Exumas - Trip Report (May 2017)

I've written up my recent visit to the Exumas on my blog here: Back to the Exumas

Wow, what a great report. I just love reading your adventures in the Bahamas. We have been to Exuma {land based} a few times and just love that island. That must have been one scary ordeal when that shark bit you!! Glad it was only minor, sharks are unpredictable. I have to agree with you on the increased tourism, especially "pig" island, people are getting the wrong idea, just don't get it. Thanks again for taking the time to write about one of my most favorite places on earth. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" />

Lovely report Eva. The Bahamas is one of the few cruising grounds we didn't get to on Jeannius. Looks pretty much like our favourite Tuamotu atolls in French Polynesia.

Planning on a charter in the Bahamas next May before we actually sail our own boat there from Florida. Any advice on where to charter for first-timers??

If you want to charter in the Bahamas, I would recommend the Abacos for a first trip -- several charter outfits there (including the majors, Moorings and Sunsail), and lots more amenities for sailors.

If you're looking outside the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands are a natural starting point.

Thanks, Eva -- we are long-time BVI charterers who are looking for something different next Spring...

We did Sunsail from Marsh two years ago. Nice facilities, good provisioning options, etc. Skinnywater, but nice nightly options for meals, etc. our group is talking of Abacos next year. Villa and local boat option instead of sailing. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Can anyone recommend a daily itinerary? Any must-sees?

It really depends on what your interests are, what kind of boat you'll be chartering (cat vs. monohull), and whether or not you're permitted (or willing) to traverse the Whale Cay channel to the more northern cays.

Some suggested places to stop include:

Hopetown - nearly landlocked harbor, charming village, beautiful ocean beaches.

Little Harbour - shallow entrance bar, so you need to make sure you have the right tide/keel to cross it. Snug anchorage, Pete's Pub (infamous), Pete's foundry.

Great Guana Cay - depending on weather, several anchorages to consider, giving access to Nipper's (beach bar par excellence), Spoil Bank Cay (shells shells shells).

Tilloo Cay/Tilloo Bank - weather-dependent, but an amazing sand bank and an appealing beach on an almost uninhabited island.

Green Turtle Cay - both Black Sound and White Sound provide all-weather protection and moorings; access to New Plymouth settlement; beautiful beaches; a few marinas; great restaurant at Green Turtle Club.

Manjack Cay - like Green Turtle, north of the Whale, but a cool, nearly uninhabited island to visit with beautiful beaches, semi-tame stingrays, beachcombing.

Treasure Cay - haven't been there myself, but reputedly stunning beach.

Etc. etc. etc.

Thanks, Eva! Really appreciate the insight. We are planning on a Mahe 36 from Cruise Abaco for next May, hopefully. We own an Irwin 38CC with a 4'6 draft so this trip is just to give us some idea of what we're looking at down there. The couple who owned her before us spent two months out of the year on her in the Bahamas for years...so we know she's capable. But...we have never sailed there so we think it's best to charter a cat first and just get the lay of the land...not to mention the fact that getting our boat there from the Bradenton/Sarasota area and having enough time to enjoy ourselves would take more time than we can provide vacation-wise at the present time. Hopefully that will change soon!

Ah yes -- the "research" trip! The charters are all about trying out the cruising life! You'll find the cat very versatile for the Bahamas, but when we did our sabbatical in the Bahamas, we found our mono's draft of 4'11" to be no problem whatsoever -- for places like Little Harbour and Black Sound, we just waited for the right tide. The Abacos are great for getting a taste of the Out Islands; some people never leave Hopetown all season. (I tend to need to get away from people, so I can only handle the (relatively) more populated spots in measured doses.)

Thanks for that insight, Eva - do you think May is a good time to shoot for?

Yes, May is a great time to go. Cold fronts ending, water warm but not yet hot, school's not out yet so less crowded.

That's what we've heard too! It will either be end of May or first couple of weeks in June - I think we're pretty good either way...