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Old 20-11-2012, 10:24   #1
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Best Places in the Bahamas

We are planning a trip to the Bahamas this winter on our CAL 39 5'6" draft. We enjoy Snorkeling and usually try to avoid Marinas due to cost. Does anybody have suggestions for where to head?

Obviously South is warmer, but we are planning to start at Marsh Harbor and then work our way South.
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Old 20-11-2012, 10:51   #2
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Re: Best Places in the Bahamas

Warderick Wells, base of the Exuma Land and Sea Park, is certainly one of my favorites.

Great snorkeling, hiking ashore, and a good mooring field.
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Old 20-11-2012, 11:05   #3
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Re: Best Places in the Bahamas

Thanks
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Old 20-11-2012, 11:07   #4
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Re: Best Places in the Bahamas

Warderick Wells was one of our favorites too. Check out Shroud Cay and Staniel also in the Exumas. In the Berry's, it was Soldier Cay and Hoffman's.
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Old 20-11-2012, 11:09   #5
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Re: Best Places in the Bahamas

Would be interested in how you make out !
We have a 1984 Cal 39 Mk3 and plan on heading to Bahamas next fall from Nova Scotia.
Best of Luck.
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Old 20-11-2012, 11:09   #6
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Re: Best Places in the Bahamas

Go to the real out islands. Crooked and Acklins have big shallow areas south of them with great snorkeling. Anchor in French Wells and take your dinghy in.

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Old 20-11-2012, 11:12   #7
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Re: Best Places in the Bahamas

but explore the abacos before you head south to the exumas. the wife loves the place. combination of deserted islands and beaches, crystal clear water, colonial villages, and protected sailing in the sea of abaco. we have a 5' draft.
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Old 20-11-2012, 11:22   #8
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Re: Best Places in the Bahamas

Our boat is a 1981 mk3 hull #135. We have cruised from St Paul MN down the Mississippi through the TN Tombigbee to Mobile and then on to Isla Mujeres, Carribean MX, Belize and Guatemala, Livingston and the Rio Dulce. We then returned to the States and live in New Bern, NC. We have gone up to Block Island and Martha's Vineyard the last 2 summers. Wife would like to go to Nova Scotia but no radar.
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Old 20-11-2012, 11:37   #9
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Re: Best Places in the Bahamas

My favorite is the Exumas too...usually warmer and quite a bit less stormy than the Abacos in the winter but if you're going through the Abacos anyway, don't miss the opportunity to explore there as well. Great snorkling throughout...just find any area where a cut to the deepwater side is nearby...but beware the current! There are also many well-documented coral gardens. Have fun!
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Old 20-11-2012, 11:43   #10
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Re: Best Places in the Bahamas

As you can see it's all good.

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Old 20-11-2012, 14:23   #11
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Re: Best Places in the Bahamas

In the Abacos, Manjack and Green Turtle were my favorites. They are both an easy half-day out of Marsh Harbour. Southward from there, I enjoyed Meek's Patch, just below Spanish Wells. I thoroughly enjoyed Governor's Harbour (Eleuthera). For the Exumas, I enjoyed everywhere we went, but found Georgetown to be a bit overrated. My favorites in the Exumas were Warderick Wells (of course), Staniel Cay Yacht Club and Norman Island (which I believe is where Vasco's above picture was taken). I'm very envious of you, you are in for a fantastic treat!
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Old 22-11-2012, 07:15   #12
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Re: Best Places in the Bahamas

Thanks for all the help. Sounds like getting to the Exumas is on our agenda.

Is there a straightforward path from Marsh Harbor ?

Thanks again for any suggestions.
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Old 22-11-2012, 07:43   #13
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Re: Best Places in the Bahamas

There are numerous places in the Bahamas worth visiting. I am based in Marsh Harbour but love the Exumas, Harbour Island, Spanish Wells, the Acklins and many other places.
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Old 27-11-2012, 11:29   #14
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Re: Best Places in the Bahamas

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mhorowitz View Post
Thanks for all the help. Sounds like getting to the Exumas is on our agenda.
Is there a straightforward path from Marsh Harbor ?
Thanks again for any suggestions.
There are a couple typical ways to get to the Exumas from the Abacos. First leave out of Little Harbor at the southern end of the Abacos and daysail down to Spanish Wells or Royal Island. This is open water via the Northeast Providence Channel.

The direct route from SW/Royal Is. is through the Fleeming Channel dodging coral heads on the yellow bank (do this in good light) to Highbourne Cay at the top of the Exumas. This is another day sail.

The other way would take you from SW/Royal Is. through Current Cut and down the west side of Eleuthera stopping as often as you want. Good place to hide from weather at Rock Sound. Then across the Exuma Sound as far down the chain as you like.

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Old 06-12-2012, 13:56   #15
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Re: Best Places in the Bahamas

Eleutherea and the Exumas are our pick you aren't interested in Marinas. There are lots of places to anchor. Abaco is great also but we love the solitude of the Exumas. Spanish Wells is a great place also. There are so many cays, it's hard to pick a favorite.
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