Bahamas - Do's and Dont's

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Therapy

SCYC?

I would like to hear about this. Is the Whaler "shared"?

Staniel Cay Yacht Club

[Katiusha]

There are some whalers for hire at SCYC. A use of a whaler is also included in the cottage price.

[impi]

Thanks for the info.

SO far we have Georgetown as our departure point (will fly them down there from Nassau ... advice on aircraft services welcome)

Then we have Staniel (Big Rock Cut etc.) ... the name Wax Cay has come up often enough!

Before moving north ... any suggestions between these areas and also whats cool in close proximity to these?

Thank you for all the input thus far ... much appreciated

[JusDreaming]

Bahanasair is probably the cheapest from NAS to George Town. Then a hunting trip around Black Cay, just north of Emerald Bay, then Rudder Cay, then Black Point/Staniel, with a stop a Big Majors Spot,(pig beach), then Caimbridge Area, and the Sea Land Park. Then Shroud, Highbourne, and Nassau

[impi]

Originally Posted by JusDreaming

Bahanasair is probably the cheapest from NAS to George Town. Then a hunting trip around Black Cay, just north of Emerald Bay, then Rudder Cay, then Black Point/Staniel, with a stop a Big Majors Spot,(pig beach), then Caimbridge Area, and the Sea Land Park. Then Shroud, Highbourne, and Nassau

Thanks for that ... all noted and now to build these into the route ...

What is the 'hunting trip' all about at Black Cay?

[Jane.Joy]

For absolute peace and quiet, consider using Square Rock Cut and Pudding Cut to go from east side of Exumas (George Town) to west side (Staniel Cay), and anchor off the Brigantine Cays. Beautiful, lonely, deserted islands. Water is a bit skinny....

[Waterway Guide]

Jan & I anchored in the Brigantine Cays for 5 days, with 5 uninhabited islands and beaches to ourselves, and we didn't see one single boat the whole time, not even in the distance, not even a fishing skiff, the entire time...one of our private island adventures! (There's a house on one of them, but nary a light). Skinny water and not much snorkeling action there, but paradise nonetheless.

[JusDreaming]

Originally Posted by Waterway Guide

Jan & I anchored in the Brigantine Cays for 5 days, with 5 uninhabited islands and beaches to ourselves, and we didn't see one single boat the whole time, not even in the distance, not even a fishing skiff, the entire time...one of our private island adventures! (There's a house on one of them, but nary a light). Skinny water and not much snorkeling action there, but paradise nonetheless.

Did you try snorkeling the cuts? We did not see a soul either!!!!!!!!!!

[impi]

Originally Posted by JusDreaming

Did you try snorkeling the cuts? We did not see a soul either!!!!!!!!!!

Can one snorkel the cuts ... must one have a dingy in the water to follow divers on account of current?

[JusDreaming]

a couple of choices, have someone following in the dink, diver drags the dink, or snorkel at slack then drift back towards the anchored dingy or big boat. So yes a dingy is almost a must.
Be careful at the cut, south of Caimbridge, while snorkeling or drift diving. It IS WORTH the effort as it is great snorkeling along north edge of cut across from Rocky Dundas, but the current rips and if you aren't careful you will end up out to sea or out on the flats

[impi]

Hi guys ... just popping this post up there again for a 'last time sake' ...

We have 2 - 3 weeks left here in the BVI's and then we are headed for Bahamas ...

Any more great ideas and shares for things to do would be much appreciated. We start off in Goerge Town and work our way up to Nassau.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by impi

Hi guys ... just popping this post up there again for a 'last time sake' ...

We have 2 - 3 weeks left here in the BVI's and then we are headed for Bahamas ...

Any more great ideas and shares for things to do would be much appreciated. We start off in Goerge Town and work our way up to Nassau.

Well here's one of my favourite spots.... Normans Cay.

Cleaning conch at Normans. My boat in the background.



As for snorkeling the cuts. We do it towards the tail of an incoming tide, always with the dink. Just hang onto the dink's anchor, a foot or two off the bottom. Of course we start at the outer end and drift in.

[Island Explorer]

I'm not sure how committed you are to going to Georgetown, but earlier this year I spent a couple of months in the Bahamas, and loved Cat Island and Eleuthera. If you anchor in New Bight, be sure to walk up to the Hermitage!

In the Exumas, get "Dino" @ the Ocean Cabin on Little Farmer's Cay to guide you, for $20. up to the inland cavern at the top of the hill at Guana Cay. The cavern drops down to a spectacular water grotto.

http://trawleradventures.blogspot.com We primarily anchored, vs. stays at marinas. We spent a lot of time exploring by skiff, diving, and hiking ashore.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by Island Explorer

I'm not sure how committed you are to going to Georgetown, but earlier this year I spent a couple of months in the Bahamas, and loved Cat Island and Eleuthera. If you anchor in New Bight, be sure to walk up to the Hermitage!

.

The Hermitage, highest point in the Bahamas.

[impi]

Thanks you for the additional info ... much to think about here and we are especially grateful to those who shared some of their 'private and quiet' places.

We are getting ready to leave and have started stocking up the boat ... the first stop we are planning is South Caicos (Cockburn Harbour) ... not sure if we are doing the right thing cruising past the Turks without stopping over?