When do ost cruisers leave the Bahamas?

[zboss]

So, we are definitely/probably heading down the ICW and across to the Bahamas for our shakedown cruise a couple of weeks after the Annapolis fall boat show.

I know its largely driven by insurance companies but, on average, when do snowbirds start the trek back up the east coast?

[Miniyot]

I've noticed that northbound traffic starts around the end of Feb. and continues as late as April. Most of the traffic seems to me to be around the middle of March, However it varies according to how warm or cold it is at that time.

I am in northeast Florida.

[Waterway Guide]

Others stay until the entry permit is about to expire. Many time it to get above "the line" before hurricane season. We always renew and stay in Bahamas through April...there's much nicer weather then, with less fronts coming through. However, there's more bugs up the ICW the later you stay. Always a trade-off.

[zboss]

Great info - thanks. I needed to know so I could get an idea of when I should start lining up consulting work when we return to the east coast. Work for 3-4 months and then back down to the islands.

It would be great if I could find a job in the marine industry as an IT consultant during those summer/fall months! It would be best to be close to the water. My wife is an events coordinator (previously AUVSI, WWII memorial, General Dynamics, Lockheed, etc...) so she has expressed interest in working for a boat show or whatever. Say discounts!

[ReMetau]

We went to the Bahamas in March a couple of years ago and stayed until May. By the time we got to Georgetown in late April, it was pretty much emptied out. I didn't mind the less boats though, because we spent many anchorages alone. We couldn't have asked for better weather.