Quote:
Originally Posted by FamilyTrips
Hi and Thanks for your reply!
Hope you enjoyed that amazing long trip through Bahamas. My main questions so far are about what 3 or 4 places you would prioritize given 7 days to sail in the area. Our charter days are departing on June 26th and returning to the base at Palm Cay Marina on July the 1st.
The 1st leg would be from PCM to Highborne Cay Marina and from there, is where I'm trying to get your opinion to prioritize.
Is a family trip of 4, including 2 daughters so racing nor stress related to "shallower than usual" is our goal.
If you can share what places you loved the most and those that you would keep for another trip, will be more than Welcome!
Thanks again! |
We just got back from 7 day charter out of PCM a few weeks ago.
Places not to miss, in order of importance (my opinion):
1)
Warderick Wells. Try to get a buoy in the North anchorage, the dark blue channel is incredible.
Anchoring is not free here anyway (half
price of buouy) Snorkel the
shipwreck at bouy 19. Hike Booboo hill for the best view in the area. Million other little things to do or just stake out your own private beach here
2)
Thunderball Grotto anchor at Staniel Cay,
dinghy over a few mins before low tide. If the tide is going out, drop your crew off on the west side and pick them up on the east side (vice versa after the tide turns). If you catch it at slack, much easier to swim around and see inside the cave.
3)
Big Major Pigs this doesn't count as a stop because you only need an hour to swing over there from Staniel Cay, including 20 mins on the beach for photos. Not saying it isn't worth it, you just don't need to stay long. Bring a loaf of bread and bag of carrots.
4)
Snorkel an plane wreck The best one is at Norman's, but there's one at Staniel too. Time them for low tide.
5)
Shroud cay Dinghy or paddle through the tidal river on a riding tide; don't go in with dinghy until the
water is touching the roots of the mangrove trees or you'll bottom out (ask me how I know). Comes out in Exuma Sound, but there's a sandbar that keeps you from floating out to sea, so the
kids can float back and forth with the tidal flow.
Consider skipping Highbourne and sailing straight to Norman's Cay on your first day if you want less stops. Highbourne is a beautiful resort with nice restaurant, but I'd put it on the bubble as far as worthwhile places to cruise. Highbourne charges to use the beaches (although they have more chairs, swing sets and stuff), but Norman's is open/free to boaters and quieter (except for the occasional private jet using the airstrip) and they have the plane wreck. We actually got out early enough on day one to go all the way to Staniel on day 1, and worked our way back, that gave us lots of flexibility on our itinerary as we moved North. Moorings check out
skipper told us it is okay to spend last night at Highbourne for 10am checkout at PCM because nobody cares if you are late (despite what the briefing video says)...we didn't ending up doing it though because of
weather.
Buy all your provisions, plus a little, at Solomon's in Nassau, one mile from marina. Provisions are scarce and $$$ on Highbourne and Staniel.
Water: $2/gallon at Solomon's, out islands it is $6/gallon bottled or $0.50/gallon from the
fuel dock hose (keep that in mind when showering).
Diesel prices are regulated, so less of an issue.
Taxis on Nassau: unless you are in a jam/time crunch, ask for
price before getting in. Ask the taxi driver that drops you off at Palm Cay to pick you up when you return; its a PITA to call one out there unless you get lucky and find one dropping off.
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