Where to spend a week sailing in the Bahamas

[Snowdog2]

Hi,
Planning a trip to someplace warm this winter for a week or 10 days leaving our small sailboat in New England and renting a monohull for 6 people this winter down south, maybe in February, but we are flexible if a different time is better. I am trying to figure out where to go. Given Covid, seems like it would be either USVI or the Bahamas, and I am currently leaning strongly towards Bahamas. However, the Bahamas cover a huge area.

For this post, I am looking for suggestions as to where would be good to go in the Bahamas. It would be me and my wife, plus two other couples yet to be determined. Criteria that my wife is looking for is warm, safe, easy to provision well (she loves to cook or eat out) and beautiful beaches. I would add great snorkeling (I'm not a diver) and good places to anchor or moor. And of course there needs to be a decent place to rent a nice boat. I am thinking in in the central and south Bahamas (where it is warmer), but so far I only see Exuma and Nassau for possible rental areas. Am I missing something?
Thanks

[etoimene]

Looks like we have similar criteria. Subscribing.

[GordMay]

The Abacos offer 130 miles of cays and islands, including Walkers Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Great Guana, Man-O-War and Elbow Cay, to name a few. The boomerang-shaped Abaco Islands span from Walkers Cay, in the north, to Hole-in-the-Wall in the south, just 175 miles east of Florida’s Palm Beach and 55 miles north of Nassau.
You can snorkel along Great Guana Cay’s seven-mile beach, and Pelican Cays Sea Park, off Sandy Cay, for instance.
➥ https://www.google.ca/search?q=yacht...client=gws-wiz

[Lowcountry]

Abacos, or Exumas via Nassau or George Town would be my vote. I really love the Bahamas.

[Snowdog2]

GordMay,
Looking at temperatures for Abaco, (Marsh Harbor) I am seeing average minimum and maximum temperatures for February of 59 to 73 degrees. That is not what my wife or I would consider to be warm, though the area looks great. Am I missing something? I gather southern Islands are warmer.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Snowdog2

... I gather southern Islands are warmer.

That's true.
The Abacos also get more 'Northers' blowing through.
I much preferred the Exumas, but they're not as convenient, for a 1 week charter.

[Snowdog2]

GordMay,
I do see significant distances from Nassau. But I guess that is the trade off for warm waters and weather.

[Snowdog2]

Low Country, Where would you rent a boat that is accessible to Georgetown? Nassau is over 150 miles away. Thanks,

[Stewie12]

It will be much warmer in the BVI

[sainted]

Originally Posted by Snowdog2

Low Country, Where would you rent a boat that is accessible to Georgetown? Nassau is over 150 miles away. Thanks,

You would have to charter a boat in Nassau and sail south. The Exumas are a long string of small islands, essentially starting with Highborne Cay and terminating with George Town. You would sail from Nassau to Highborne and then work your way down a daysail at a time, stopping for example and Wardrick Wells, Staniel Cay and many, many other places.

To do this area, it would easily take two weeks. That's why others are recommending the Abacos: its a bit more compact and accessible. I love both places and can't recommend them highly enough, but if you've only got a week, the Abacos would be my choice.

As to the weather, I find it perfectly comfortable in the Abacos in winter.

Have fun!

Scott

[Snowdog2]

Stewie12, That is good information. I wasn't aware of the temperature difference with southern Bahamas. However, I am concerned about what I am reading on forums of people encountering great difficulties with arriving and even long delays trying to depart from the BVI, as well as huge fines they are charging for people who accidently stray into their waters during Covid. It no longer sounds like a very friendly place. I am hearing of a lot of people who are currently avoiding it, including a friend who sails alot.

[Snowdog2]

Sainted, Thanks Scott, Maybe we should just go a month or two later and go to Abacos.... So many variables to consider.

[jim King]

If you want warmth head a bit further south to Belize. You can't beat the snorkeling and the waters are warm. Lots of charters out of Placentia.
cheers.
jim

[Stu Jackson]

We went to the Abacos in February 1994. The first week in our house on land we were confined indoors due to horrible weather. The second week on the boat was cut short by a day due to horrible weather which meant the rental company wouldn't even let us board the boat! The next week was OK, but nothing like the paradise we had experienced in the VIs and BVIs. I wouldn't go back especially in February.

[dptconst]

April in Abacos should be lovely.