More Bad News From The Bahamas

[AnchorageGuy]

We may soon say good-by to one of our favorite, and one of the most pristine cruising grounds visited by many boaters. The developers are moving in with the blessings of the Bahamian government and the Exuma chain in the Bahamas may never be the same. This is such sad news. http://www.thenassauguardian.com/bah...moving-in-2015

[rognvald]

For those of us who prefer solitude, the Exumas began seriously changing for the worst in the 90's. Today, unless you prefer crowded anchorages with a circus atmosphere, they are not on our repeat list. Truly . . . more bad news from the Bahamas.

[WindwardPrinces]

We paved paradise, to put up a parking lot.

[FSMike]

Don't be in too much of a hurry to get depressed. This sort of stuff usually moves at an "Island Time, Mon" pace.
Not to mention that the Bahamian out islands are still pristine for the most part, just need to explore a bit.

[dohenyboy]

Right, I have seen so many of these developments proposed.. almost never happens. Lots of islands there. mostly empty

[MarkJ]

Well, cruisers can selfishly claim the whole island chain themselves, for them and their buddies, with little employment for locals...

Or the country can develop it for ALL people, tourists and locals alike.


Mark

[Enrique100]

Even with the few developments mentioned here, there is nothing there for the most part. We're talking about a vast 150 mile stretch of islands. We just went a couple months ago and for half the time we were there, there was no one else around. Maybe things are changing, but the huge expanse of the Exumas is not going to be changed by a few small developments. If they ever happen.

The airport is a small shack. The Emerald Bay development is so far from Georgetown it's about a 40 minute drive just to get there. A few upgrades isn't going to change anything. If you want to see Exumas, go and see. If they start talking cruise ship ports, then I would start getting worried.


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[Celestialsailor]

I like the way they throw around words like Eco and Green while building and expanding hotels and airports. I think I'll paint my boat and anchor green so I can go anywhere.

[chuckr]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Well, cruisers can selfishly claim the whole island chain themselves, for them and their buddies, with little employment for locals...

Or the country can develop it for ALL people, tourists and locals alike.


Mark

agree with mark -- i think it is called jobs - as long as the chinese are not involved - if the chinese then no local jobs and new chinese communities

[AnchorageGuy]

These projects and developments seldom if ever generate jobs and income for the locals in the Bahamas. Bimini is an excellent example recently. Cruisers dollars on the other hand go almost exclusively to the locals. While the Exuma chain does cover a large area, the development will be taking place throughout the chain and will be just the beginning. More will follow, you can count on it. Chuck

[Azul]

I used to go to Staniel Cay for vacations and island hopped with a small plane, it is one of the most famous places in the Exumas... Thunderball Grotto, photo shoots for NFL cheerleaders etc. There is nowhere new to put a large airstrip. A small plane has to plan carefully to find fuel and an airstrip long enough to land. Very reasonably priced and yet it wasn't that hard to get a waterfront cottage with a Boston Whaler skiff on relatively short notice (maybe a few dozen cottages on the whole island for rent.) The place is essentially deserted, other than an occasional motor cruiser pulling up to the docks.

The water is mostly shallow with limited access for cruise ships, it would be incredibly expensive to bring building materials there, food and supplies would be difficult to supply for the masses- I doubt they will try to build another Atlantis in the Exumas. Also little else to do... no golf courses, nightlife, poor fishing and diving. I can't see this area being attractive as a cruise ship destination.

Still, the kids had a fabulous time exploring with a skiff, lots of great seafood and the views were spectacular. I could be wrong and next year there will be a Pirates of the Caribbean ride through the Grotto, so take advantage of it while you can.

[Azul]

As an interesting side story, the younger son in the photo injured his wrist on that trip while jumping waves in the BW with his brother at the tiller. We thought he had just sprained it as the wrist wasn't swollen despite a lot of complaining about pain, and there was no medical care available on the island.

We sent his brother to buy some rum for medicinal purposes (the injured party was legal to drink at age 16) and found an old flip flop with an attached plastic flower by the pool which was used as a splint for his hand and wrist. On return to the US, his radius turned out to have a nondisplaced torus fracture. We took a lot of "unusual" family vacations (the same kid wrecked a new Lotus during high performance driving lessons at Road Atlanta on turn 5 for example) but the boys still talk about going to Staniel Cay as one of the best.

Edit: found a picture of the medical treatment available in the Exumas:

[AnchorageGuy]

Azul, Not sure when you were there, but Staniel Cay has a small medical clinic. Chuck

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by AnchorageGuy

Azul, Not sure when you were there, but Staniel Cay has a small medical clinic. Chuck

Who, if anyone, replaced MaryLou (& Glenn) McFadden at Saint Luke’s Clinic?

[Azul]

Originally Posted by AnchorageGuy

Azul, Not sure when you were there, but Staniel Cay has a small medical clinic. Chuck

Last time was 2008. Like most remote areas, the "medical clinic" doesn't have x-ray capabilities or highly trained personnel if you really need a doctor. But the "examination" tables are nice...