Do not skip the Bahamas!
There are some who think that the Bahamas, being so close to the US, are really just an extension of that large country and as such, are hardly worth visiting. And of course, there are many cruisers who do travel to the Bahamas but, for any number of reasons, venture no further. I suspect that many of these people believe that the “really nice places” lie further south, just out of their reach.
Those of us who have spent some time in the Bahamas, and have then gone on to travel further, know just how wrong this way of thinking really is. In fact, on multiple occasions we have had a conversation with cruising friends down here which basically boils down to “if it wasn’t so darn far to get back to the Bahamas, we’d go back for another visit.” To stretch that even further, if there was no such thing as hurricanes, I bet a large number of cruisers would never leave there!
No, as you can likely tell from the hair, this is not a current pic.
This shot, and the others in this post, were taken during our stay in the Exumas.
The crystal clear waters of the Bahamas are without parallel. While we have been to many beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, none have quite had that Bahamian water clarity. For those who enjoy stopping off at deserted beaches for a little quiet and privacy, nowhere is that easier to do than there. The islands are a diving and snorkeling paradise and when it comes to fish, we had friends who would routinely, after just a few hours of hunting, bring back a large feed of lobster and fish for dinner.
Are the Bahamas perfect? No place is. For starters, there is that hurricane thing that I mentioned. Most insurance companies frown upon boats remaining in that area during the windy season. And even if the weather doesn’t turn quite that sour, the Bahamas are still pretty far north, and in the winter months it can get a bit chilly, especially with the fronts that seem to blow through just about every other week. The Bahamas are also a bit expensive when it come to provisioning as, unlike the fertile islands of the Caribbean, nothing is really grown there, the food is all imported. So no, not perfect, but that said, the islands are still pretty awesome.
We haven’t been in the Bahamas for a year and a half and it’s unlikely we’ll be back there in the very near future. This post is for all of our readers who are making their way south on their initial voyage. Please don’t fall into the trap of thinking that the “grass is greener on the other side.” The Bahamas have a lot to offer so enjoy yourself while you’re there. We sure did!
Thanks for the good advice. It’s good to know how you feel about it. I’ve been sailing FL waters in the winter, and it’s just a short trip from there. Hope to do it this winter or next.
We seriously would travel back there if it wasn’t for the fact that to get back south again is a tremendous amount of work (beating to windward).
We absolutely agree.
That’s because you two are smart. 🙂
We’ve never visited the Bahamas, but they look amazing! That will be one of our first destinations when we start cruising, and we’re hoping to stay there quite a while before moving on. You mentioned it gets chilly in the winter … what time of year was the pic of Rebecca in a swimsuit? We’d definitely want to go when we could swim!
On sunny days it is warm enough during the daytime even though you might want a wetsuit if going snorkeling for an extended period of time. In the evenings we frequently would have a fleece jacket or a hoodie on.
Exuma is a favorite of mine as well. We are in the planning stages of another 7 day sea kayak trip in January 2013. There is an outfitter there call Out-Island Explorers, http://www.outislandexplorers.com that does an awesome job.
Sounds like fun!
As I mentioned recently, we sold our home and all of it’s contents. Not an easy thing to do, as you and Rebecca already know. We have been married for 41 years next month, so imagine the “stuff” we had accumulated! Now, we are finally free.
The boat is hauled out awaiting a new rudder from Foss Foam. The bottom job is complete, along with new thru-hulls and seacocks, cutlass bearing, new prop. I still have some projects to complete and equipment to add.
Then, we’re off to the Bahamas for this winter. Maybe a trip up the east coast next hurricane season? We can’t wait to actually get underway, and leave this marina behind!
Thanks for the great blog, Mike and Rebecca! My wife and I read your posts everyday. You guys ROCK!
Ralph and Beverly
SV Fugue
Kemah, Texas
You’re very welcome, Ralph. You and your wife have some awesome experiences ahead of you!
Mike – Thanks for your insightful post. As I assume you realize the SSCA GAM is taking place near Annapolis this weekend and of course the Annapolis Boat Show the week after. Sadly or thankfully Annette and are in the Class of 2013, wishing 2012 but 1 more year! A good friend who is currently crusing the Azores wrote to us on the same topic just this morning. As most head south, Magnolia will be making a cruise to the north Chesapeake and C&D. Again thanks for the note and leave a little rum for the Class of 13 ok?
Hi Anthony
You’d be surprised just how fast 1 year can blow by!
The Chesapeake is another area with excellent cruising (minus the sea nettles).
Funny thing about the rum down here… no matter how fast we drink it, there is always more on the shelves. 🙂
I have always imagined spending a month or two there. With my obsession of volleyball, I think I might spend a few weeks in Georgetown, word on the street is that they put on some nice tournaments. What is a good time to depart the US and head there: specifically what month or season? Also, does the average sailor do it in one trip, or do they stop at other Cays on their way to Nassau or Georgetown? It’s only a 370 mile trip from Miami to Georgetown.
Hi Patrick
I don’t know if we’re “average” but we crossed to Bimini early December and were in the Exumas (but not yet Georgetown) for Christmas. Although some people make a run for GT, I think most people, especially first timers, work their way down the chain more slowly. Weather will affect that of course. As I said, in the winter strong fronts can blow through which will require you to find a good anchorage. As for volleyball, yeah, GT is the place. There aren’t really tournaments to speak of, outside of what might happen during regatta, but there are games of all levels daily.
Very timely post Mike. My wife and I are working our way down the Chesapeake for our initial trip to winter in the Bahamas this year. It is starting to cool off up here (lows in the 50’sF) so the warmer climes are calling us! We’ve followed your blog for a while now and it is fun to see our shared experiences as we have gone from zero to cruising as well! Not sure if you follow any other blogs or not but if you want to check us out, we are at http://www.svbuckeye.com or Buckeye Sailboat on fb.
Cheers,
Ben & Katie
we loved our short time their even finding the bodies in Prime Cay was exciting in ways. but water quality was gr8t
A place we will spend more time at “next time”
The only thing I’d add here is that as Mike says it can be expensive for most foods and staples. Best to stock up while in the States. I’ve met couples who provision as much as they can in Fernandina Beach, sail down islands till they run low then sail back to re-provision again. A huge savings and a bit of sailing as well.
Pictures are incredible…..My first stop!!!!
The Bahamas suck, all the fish and lobster are gone … don’t even bother stopping there. The water is cloudy and cold too. Just keep beating east until you are completely flogged. If you just have to go, stay in Nasseau, everything you want and need is there .. they even have and Outback steakhouse. When you are done there, just head straight for St Thomas. Hope to not see you there ;~).
If all the fish and lobster are gone it’s because YOU TOOK THEM ALL!
Have fun, Dude. Sorry we won’t be there to play VB with you.
Allen, sarcasm I hope. If it is, OK I get it but it feels shitty to even see it on this blog. Your in the wrong neighborhood if this is how you really feel. Just saying.
Allen is a friend of ours and is just kidding. That is his way of saying that the Bahamas are so good he wants to keep them all to himself. When I spoke of people getting a feed of lobster after a couple of hours of hunting, it is him that I was primarily thinking of.
Opps! I could kinda tell, it “was” a bit over the top. My bad on defense. Glad to know he’s a friend.
Thanks for the advice Mike. We are crossing Lake Erie now.
Rock on!
Mike, Thanks for the photos of the Bahamas, it reminded us of how much we enjoyed them last winter! We are currently in Maine (having a blast), and we were debating how to we would have time to make it to the Caribbean this winter. Your post was the final straw, and we decided to hang out here until it gets cold, and “only” make it to the Bahamas again. I guess we’ll just have to deal with great fishing, crystal clear waters and secluded anchorages – somehow we’ll manage. 🙂
Rock on you two. I know you’ll have a blast!
Thanks for the inspiration to get there! We’re heading south as we speak and absolutely cannot wait to reach the Bahamas!
Enjoy! I know we would.