Exumas...Georgetown to Nassau..10 days...Itinerary Advice

[KokomoJoe]

Heading to Georgetown for a 10 day bareboat sail to Nassau. First time sailing the Exumas. I have The Exuma Guide and the Explorer charts are on the boat. I would love advice on an itinerary. Our crew likes to snorkel, explore, fish, etc.

I understand that we will not see a fraction of what the area has to offer but would love to have a list of the "must see and must do"

Considering a first day wave runner tour to start the trip. Anyone done that? Recommend?

Bringing meat and snacks. Plan on the rest of the provisioning in town.

Does anyone have a list of the places to get water? Also interested in local dining spots and entertainment.

Any and all info is appreciated.

[Waterway Guide]

You can't go wrong in the Exumas for snorkeling. The Exuma Land & Sea Park probably has the best, but you cannot fish or spear when you're in the park boundaries (from Conch Cut at the south boundary (not to be confused with Conch Cay Cut) to Wax Cay Cut at the north boundary). Staniel Cay area/Pipe Creek is a must. If your charter is out of George Town, I wouldn't waste your time going to Nassau (even if you had a month!). George Town is nearly as good as Nassau for provisions. I think all the marinas have R/O water. Georgetown, Black Point, and a few other spots have water for free, but you need to jerry jug it in your dinghy. There's not a lot special about dining out...most of the food is decent, but almost identical fare everywhere. Fresh fish and conch salads top my list. Waverunner tour? Can't help you there...seems very out of place for the Exumas...everyone gets around by dinghy. Happy cruising!

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Joe.

[Capt.Alex]

Since it's your first trip through the Exumas there are a few must see places. There will be a lot of people at these places, but they are there for a reason. In the Staniel Cay area there is a very good anchorage on the west side of Big Major's Spot. @ big attractions here. Big Majors Spot is the island with the world famous swimming pigs. Bring some dinner scraps to the beach in the dink, and get your video camera rolling. Its a hoot. Then, dink around to the east side of Big Majors, and between there and Staniel Cay is the Thunderball Grotto, made famous by the James Bond Film Thunderball. Time it to arrive just before slack tide, preferably low tide, as there can be a strong current here. Bring snorkeling gear, zip loc bags of cereal, and an underwater camera. There is a tiny mooring ball to tie your dink to, then just swim through the hole in the rocks and feed the fish! If you have a large dink and good range you can explore this area for a long time. Tons of little islands, sand bars, and snorkeling opportunities. Going north my next stop would be Compass Cay. Nice little marina if want to tie up, or need water. They have a postcard worthy beach, and for a small fee you can hand feed a group of resident sharks and large fish that frequent the marina docks looking for hand outs. If you have kids aboard they will love it! North of there is the Park. Pick up a mooring and explore the area in the dink and on foot. Make sure you stop in the park HQ office for guidance for what to do and see. Your last stop going North would be Alans Cay/Leaf Cay anchorage. This is the home of the famous Bahamian Iguanas. Once again, bring some table scraps and your camera to the beach, then watch the show (and be careful with fingers and toes). Iguanas can be a bit aggressive about food. When you arrive in Nassau, go see the airport, nothing else (unless you are feeling lucky, then take a cab over to the Atlantis Casino for a couple of hours). Enjoy, it's one of the most beautiful places on earth!

[Vasco]

I take it you're doing a one way from GT to Nassau with Navtours. For what you want I would not stay long in GT or do the waverunner trip.
1. Provision in town in Exuma Market. Have a look at the harbour as you'll be in Emerald Bay, and leave GT as quickly as possible.
2. Sail north to Glass Cay. Usually deserted, good snorkeling and spear fishing, less than
20 miles.
3. Sail north about 40 miles to Staniel Cay.
4. North again to Warderick Wells (Exuma Parks)
5. North to Shroud Cay (still in the Park) explore the creeks to the ocean side.
6. North less than 5 miles to Normans, good fishing, conching and exploring.
7. Sail to Nassau, about 60 miles.

[Paul L]

I'd add Cambridge Cay to Rick I's list. Good snorkeling (plane wreck, Aquarium and outside cut reef) and nice island to walk on. Call in on VHF the day before you want to go to the park headquarters and get a mooring ball reservation at Warderick Wells in the north mooring field. You can spend a few days there -- good hiking and diving. Allen's Cay in the north is interesting for the iguanas.

[redsky49]

Originally Posted by Capt.Alex

Since it's your first trip through the Exumas there are a few must see places. There will be a lot of people at these places, but they are there for a reason. In the Staniel Cay area there is a very good anchorage on the west side of Big Major's Spot. @ big attractions here. Big Majors Spot is the island with the world famous swimming pigs. Bring some dinner scraps to the beach in the dink, and get your video camera rolling. Its a hoot. Then, dink around to the east side of Big Majors, and between there and Staniel Cay is the Thunderball Grotto, made famous by the James Bond Film Thunderball. Time it to arrive just before slack tide, preferably low tide, as there can be a strong current here. Bring snorkeling gear, zip loc bags of cereal, and an underwater camera. There is a tiny mooring ball to tie your dink to, then just swim through the hole in the rocks and feed the fish! If you have a large dink and good range you can explore this area for a long time. Tons of little islands, sand bars, and snorkeling opportunities. Going north my next stop would be Compass Cay. Nice little marina if want to tie up, or need water. They have a postcard worthy beach, and for a small fee you can hand feed a group of resident sharks and large fish that frequent the marina docks looking for hand outs. If you have kids aboard they will love it! North of there is the Park. Pick up a mooring and explore the area in the dink and on foot. Make sure you stop in the park HQ office for guidance for what to do and see. Your last stop going North would be Alans Cay/Leaf Cay anchorage. This is the home of the famous Bahamian Iguanas. Once again, bring some table scraps and your camera to the beach, then watch the show (and be careful with fingers and toes). Iguanas can be a bit aggressive about food. When you arrive in Nassau, go see the airport, nothing else (unless you are feeling lucky, then take a cab over to the Atlantis Casino for a couple of hours). Enjoy, it's one of the most beautiful places on earth!

"This is the home of the famous Bahamian Iguanas. Once again, bring some table scraps and your camera to the beach, then watch the show (and be careful with fingers and toes). Iguanas can be a bit aggressive about food."

I believethat feeding the iguanas is discouraged, if not prohibited.

[RTB]

Originally Posted by redsky49

I believethat feeding the iguanas is discouraged, if not prohibited.

Everyone feeds them. There are even tour boats that come in daily, with loads of people that go ashore to feed them.



If you find yourself stuck in Georgetown for a day or two, anchor off Monument Hill (Stocking Island). Go ashore and pick up the trails. One will take you to the top of Monument Hill. Another will take you to the other side (Exuma Sound). A really nice view at the top, and a short walk down to a deserted beach.





From Georgetown, we came in the Dotham Cut (an easy entrance to the Banks side). Right around the corner is Blackpoint. We anchored there after the long sail from GT. Spend the night there, and go to Lorrain's Cafe for lunch or dinner. There is a dock right in front of the laundry, you can't miss it. Go up the steps, and turn right to Lorraine's. Great food, and she's a sweet lady. See if her mom has any fresh bread. Her house is just behind the restaurant.

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From Blackpoint, it's a short hop to Staniel and Big Majors Spot. Lots to see from Staniel Cay to Allen's Cay as others have posted. Nothing worth mentioning in Nassau, so enjoy all you can before going there.

Ralph
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/brogdon/?xjMsgID=273875

[KokomoJoe]

Thank you everyone for the input and advice. If you think of anything else please let me know. Our trip is in about 3 weeks.

[KokomoJoe]

Our trip starts next week. Any last minute thoughts or suggestions?