Mike Collins

Mike, There are no entry ports that I am aware of that are more pet friendly than others. I would avoid Nassau. As long as you have your paperwork, you should not have any hassles. They really only want to see the paperwork and could really care less about the pets. Lots of our friends clear in with their dogs. If you are going to the Abacos, I would recommend West End. Chuck

Green Turtle is good place to wait for favorable conditions to go around Whale Cay (back into Atlantic breifly, enterances can get rough). After rounding the Whale you are home free. Great Guana (have a drink at Nippers), Man-O-War, Hope Town and Marsh Harbour Cays. We stay at Mangoes Marina in Marsh Harbour. Join Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club for marina discounts throughout the Bahamas.

Hope this helps,

Harry

I recommend crossing from Ft. Pierce or some point south in Florida onto the Banks near Memory Rock or between Manzina Shoal and White Sand Ridge. If you need to you can go into Settlelment Point (West End) and go into the marina there. This marina is a bit excessive with their charges for electricity and water (pay whether you use or not). First good protected anchorage is Great Sale Cay (good for all but southerlies). We always drop the hook along the route if seas are calm (usual) depths are 15 - 20 feet and very little traffic. Just move off the plotted routes a bit and rest. After Great Sale there are lots of protected anchorages, usually within 5 - 6 hours sail as you move East. Green Turtle Cay has good protected areas in White Sound and Black Sound. We like Leeward Yacht Club in Black Sound, prices are very reasonable (around $125 / week for 40 ft.) you have to come in and out on the tide as enterance is narrow and shallow but well marked.