Bahamas Cruising Areas - Recommendations Please

[prroots]

We are expecting guests for a duration of 1 week. They land and depart from Nassau. We would like recommendations for a cruising ground for this period. We have a Beneteau 411. Thanks
Pete

[Waterway Guide]

Hi Pete,Northern Exumas would be my choice: Allens, Highbourne, Normans are close and have some fun features, including the iguanas, and it's all on the banks so weather won't likely delay you. Rose Island is a nice anchorage close to Nassau. Depends on what you want to do, and the conditions.

[prroots]

Originally Posted by Waterway Guide

Hi Pete,Northern Exumas would be my choice: Allens, Highbourne, Normans are close and have some fun features, including the iguanas, and it's all on the banks so weather won't likely delay you. Rose Island is a nice anchorage close to Nassau. Depends on what you want to do, and the conditions.

Thanks a lot. Sounds like a plan. Are all the islands you mention uninhabited? It's been quite a few years since we cruised the Exumas down to Georgetown. Are we correct that getting to Georgetown would be too far for just a one week time frame? Can you elaborate on the fun features?
Pete

[hogfighter]

If you want less inhabited, the Berry islands just north of Nassau are very nice....some beautiful, tranquil anchorages.

[prroots]

Originally Posted by hogfighter

If you want less inhabited, the Berry islands just north of Nassau are very nice....some beautiful, tranquil anchorages.

Thanks. We have two separate groups coming, each for about a week. One group may prefer less inhabited whereas the other may prefer inhabited. Therefore, it may be worth having recommendations for both cases. In any case, we can give them their choice once we understand the pros and cons of each
Pete

[s/vPainkiller]

Allens and Highbourne are only about a half day, but you need good light since there are some coral heads in the area. You can easily make it to the Land and Sea Park. Warderick Wells is not too much of a stretch and worth it if you have the time.

Scott

[lake norman 285]

Istead of hitting the northern exumas, consider the middle exumas where you can access shroud cay and staniel cay.

[prroots]

Originally Posted by lake norman 285

Istead of hitting the northern exumas, consider the middle exumas where you can access shroud cay and staniel cay.

Thanks. Why do you recommend them?
Pete

[Waterway Guide]

Allens: I think they are all uninhabited, and the anchorage is very nice with a few beaches and, of course, the huge iguanas (watch out, they bite). Sometimes there are a lot of boats, and a tour boat comes screaming in occasionally for a short stop to feed the iguanas. Highbourne has a marina and a new restaurant (just opened). Roberts is privately owned. Ships Channel is pretty exposed to swell. Shroud's very cool as it has great anchorages and you can dinghy all the way through the creek to a nice beach on the Exuma Sound. Warderick Wells and the Land & Sea Park is very nice with trails and such (you can't fish, though, and you pretty much have to take a mooring). I don't think you'd try to get much further and back in a week, certainly not to George Town.
As per the other comments, the Berrys are nice too, less boats, but more privately owned islands.

[skipmac]

Might also consider Andros Island. Very uninhabited and, if you are a diver or snorkeler, some of the best, most unspoiled reefs in the northern Bahamas. Also close and easy to reach. All deep water across the Tongue of the Ocean.

[s/vPainkiller]

Staniel Cay is nice -- Thunderball grotto, the pigs at Big Majors, SCYC has a nice bar/restaurant. We really liked the Sea Aquarium north of Cambridge. One of the better snorkeling spots. You can anchor at Warderick near Emerald Rock (or take a mooring), but it's more exposed than the north anchorage in a westerly. There's a lot to do in the middle Exumas, as long as the weather is settled.

Scott

[dennisjay]

I second Warderick Wells and the Land & Sea Park. The most beautiful place I've visited in the Bahamas. We're headed there again next Saturday.

[belizesailor]

+1 on all the suggestions above.

The Exumas, regardless of which area, are a great cruising ground. Although some of the more popular stops, like Allens Keys, can get quite crowed with cruising boats. The marina at Highborne Key does not really want the average cruiser there, but they will sometimes begrudgingly accomodate you. The Exumas Sea & Land Park is a great location -- especially for cruising with guests.

Andros is a great suggestion, it so weirdly different than any other island in the Bahamas, but be sure you have a dinghy adequate to haul you and your guests around because the parts of Andros you can access in sailboat are relatively limited. Beware of the Chiccharneys!

[FSMike]

Lots of info in Steve Pavilidis' various Bahama cruising guides.

[prroots]

I have two questions related to cruising in Bahamas:

1. Where can water tanks be refilled and what is cost? We have no water maker and our guests are likely to use lots of fresh water
2. Where is best place to clear customs? We'll be departing Lake Worth and passing through NW Providence channel and onto Nassau. We'll be wanting the maximum available time.

Thanks
Pete