Bahamas: easiest/safest route from south to north?

[jalmberg]

My wife and I, plus two crew, will be sailing a 40-foot steel ketch drawing 5' 3" from Martinique to Palm Cay Marina in the Bahamas in a couple of weeks. Although all of us are fairly experienced sailors, none of us have experience in the Bahamas, and are a little intimidated by all those shallows and coral heads. We are trying to plan a route from the southern Bahamas up to Palm Cay Marina in Nassau, and would appreciate advice from anyone who actually knows the area.

Question 1: which port of entry would you recommend, in terms of easy of access, good anchorage, etc. ?

Question 2: what route across or around the Bahamas would you recommend to reach Palm Cay Marina (south east corner of Nassau)?

Any advice, much appreciated.

-- John

[Vasco]

Clear in at Georgetown. Route depends on whether you want to just go or take your time and enjoy. From GT go up the sound and get on the bank at any of the cuts depending whether you're delivering or enjoying. The good cuts onto the Bank are Cave, Galliot and Dotham. If you're taking your time use Cave Cay cut and enjoy the Exumas on your way north. Palm Cay is a straight shot from any of the cays north of Warderick Wells. I would go to Normans Cay and then it's about 40 miles to Palm Cay. Your draft will not present any problems.

[jalmberg]

Georgetown? So it would be okay to sail all the way through the southern Bahamas without checking in? I figured we'd have to check in at the first available spot, like Matthew Town, Great Inagua.

[Dave852]

The hardest part of that trip will be the entrance into Palm Cay marina. Go slow with good light. Huge coral heads just outside the marina entrance. As for checking in it just depends where you land, for example no problem to sail past Matthew Town if you don't stop. You just don't want to sail past a port of entry and then stop and play somewhere

[Aquadome]

I've been there many times. No need to stop anywhere as you can clear in Palm Cay Marina. Very dangerous entry though since you must time it with daylight and high tide and enter only at that time.

[Slaneynirit]

At any case buy the Explorer charts. They are the only one which are truley accurate

[Triples]

If you get a copy of Bruce Van Sant's book, "Passages South - The Thornless Path to Windward" , you'll find descriptions of entrances and exits to most of the southern Bahamas Islands. You'll be reversing his route and you won't need his tactics for sailing to windward, but I think you'll find a lot of useful information. (I'm assuming you want to stop along the way.)

[Russ]

You are allowed to cruise through as long as you don't touch land but it is much smarter to check in at first accessible port. That would be Provo in the Turks ( not part of Bahamas by the way) which you would sail right by with most routes from the DR.
Geotown is the first EASY port of entry the others further South all have access problems but you do go by Matthew Town, Abrahams Town , Cockburn Town, etc.

[jalmberg]

Okay! Thanks for all the tips. I may just pass up the joys of palm Cay marina and use George Town as a base for exploration. Seems like a good place.

I already have the latest Explorer charts and the Garmin electronic charts which I guess have Explorer data.

Have also ordered the Thornless Path book. More info is always better.

Thanks again!

John

[fishead]

Clarence Town on Long Island is a great place to check in. Much friendlier than George Town.

[sailorboy1]

Not really anything to see here in George Town except a bunch of cruisers!