Re: [Liveaboard] Where would you go?
I agree with the rest of the group, there is really no place that is not worth a stop. However, we are partial to Long Island. It's far enough off the beaten track that it remains pretty much Bahamian. The people there are the friendliest that we have run into in the Bahamas. Long Island makes a good place to jump over to Cat Island, Conception, and the other out islands. As for Conch Salad, don't pass up a chance to have some. The best that we have had anywhere is at Friendly Joe's on Bimini. He lives up to his name--very friendly and he puts on quite a show. Peter s/v Now or Never! From: alock...@aol.com alock...@aol.com To: liveaboard@liveaboardonline.com Sent: Friday, October 7, 2011 3:16 AM Subject: [Liveaboard] Where would you go? OK, I admit it. I am geographically challenged. I have to opportunity to sail to the Bahamas in November. The trip will be at least 2 months. I would really like to make the most of this trip. Here is the questions ... If you were going to the Bahamas had at least 2 months so Where would you go and why, what would you want to see? Do you have any favorite places? Thanks in advice. -Anita s/v Why Knot ___ Liveaboard mailing list Liveaboard@liveaboardonline.com To adjust your membership settings over the web http://liveaboardonline.com/mailman/listinfo/liveaboard To subscribe send an email to liveaboard-j...@liveaboardonline.com To unsubscribe send an email to liveaboard-le...@liveaboardonline.com The archives are at http://www.liveaboardonline.com/pipermail/liveaboard/ To search the archives http://www.mail-archive.com/liveaboard@liveaboardnow.org The Mailman Users Guide can be found here http://www.gnu.org/software/mailman/mailman-member/index.html___ Liveaboard mailing list Liveaboard@liveaboardonline.com To adjust your membership settings over the web http://liveaboardonline.com/mailman/listinfo/liveaboard To subscribe send an email to liveaboard-j...@liveaboardonline.com To unsubscribe send an email to liveaboard-le...@liveaboardonline.com The archives are at http://www.liveaboardonline.com/pipermail/liveaboard/ To search the archives http://www.mail-archive.com/liveaboard@liveaboardnow.org The Mailman Users Guide can be found here http://www.gnu.org/software/mailman/mailman-member/index.html
Re: [Liveaboard] Bahamas - Where would you go?
Good subject for discussion, and two months is long enough to see quite a lot. First the basics: The Bahamas are divided into several different regions. In the north are the Abacos, in the south are the Exumas and out islands, and in the center are Nassau, the Berry Islands, Eleuthra, Spanish Wells, etc. The very best navigational information is from the Explorer Chart Books which are available from West Marine and others. They are absolutely indispensible. Explorer charts are also available in electronic chart plotter format from C-MAP and others. We have both and use them all the time. The books also have quite a lot of cruising advice and local knowledge. Be sure to get the latest editions. Bimini and West End are both popular places to check in and clear customs. We try to avoid them since they somtimes are crowded and backed up wiith processing delays. Our last couple of trips we have cleared in at the Nassau Harbor Club Marina which is very convenient. The customs and immigration people come right to your boat and they are very quick and efficient. There is a large shopping center across the street from the marina. Chandleries and restaurants are also within easy walking distance. Entering from the north, it is possible to check in at other places than West End. It is permissable to anchor for the night without checking in as long as you don't fish or go ashore. Fly the Q flag and keep going the next day to a port of entry. Spanish Cay makes for a nice quiet and uncrowded place to clear customs, and you can continue south in the Abacos from there. In the Abacos our favorites are: Green Turtle Cay - anchor either Black Sound or White Sound; rent a golf cart and tour the island; visit New Providence and Sarah Pineapple's Pub; visit the Green Turtle club; tour the beaches on the north east side. Great Guana Key - primary attractions are the great beaches; snorkeling behind the reef on the east side; and of course, the famous Nippers Pub. Don't miss the pig roast on Sunday afternoons. Treasure Key Cove and Marina - Very protected harbor. Go out to the end of the point and go wading on the sand flats that stretch out for miles. Marsh Harbour - The heart of the Abacos and a great place to resupply - lots of stores and restaurants. Carry your VHF handheld ashore, everyone uses them to call taxis and ask advice. Don't miss the cruisers net on VHF 68 at 8:00AM - great source of advice and information. Hope Town Harbor - Great place, very scenic, climb the lighthouse, rent a golf cart and drive down to the south end - spectacularly scenic on a windy day. In the central Bahamas two of our favorites are Spanish Wells and harbour Island. They are close to each other and well worth visiting although very different. The Explorer Chart books have all the information that you need.Going to Harbour Island for the first time it is recommended that you hire one of the guides from Spanish Wells although the Explorer Charts are very accurate. South of Nassau are the Exuma Islands, arguably one of the best cruising areas in the western hemisphere. The islands are beautiful and there are many good harbors and dive sites, too many to mention all of them here. Some of our favorites are Allen's Cay, Highbourne Cay, Norman's Cay, Warderick Wells, Compass Cay and Staniel Cay. See the Explorer books and cruising guides for more information. I would tend to avoid Georgetown unless you have a lot of time and want to become part of the cruising community there. The Ragged Islands and Jumentos are beautiful, wild and remote but I would not recommend them for a first trip when you are somewhat limited in time. Regards and good cruising, Wayne beardsley Grand Banks 49 Classic, Long Legged Lady ___ Liveaboard mailing list Liveaboard@liveaboardonline.com To adjust your membership settings over the web http://liveaboardonline.com/mailman/listinfo/liveaboard To subscribe send an email to liveaboard-j...@liveaboardonline.com To unsubscribe send an email to liveaboard-le...@liveaboardonline.com The archives are at http://www.liveaboardonline.com/pipermail/liveaboard/ To search the archives http://www.mail-archive.com/liveaboard@liveaboardnow.org The Mailman Users Guide can be found here http://www.gnu.org/software/mailman/mailman-member/index.html
Re: [Liveaboard] Bahamas - Where would you go?
About 10 years ago, Roger Susie Mummah took off on their Hunter 31, cruised the Bahamas, and wrote a fantastic book about their travels. If you've been on list for a long time, you'll remember them from here and the old 'original' livaboard list when Stefan was hosting. Not only is it a great read of their travels but they give excellent information and guidance for getting your boat set up and equipped. It's still in print and available from Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/Cruising-Endless-Summer-Roger-Mummah/dp/0759627525 Another way to get there is just Google cruising endless summer - Exumas and the Amazon link will come up. It's in stock and well worth it for a great read and great source of Bahamian knowledge. Obviously some stuff will be out of date (after all, this was written from a cruise in 1999-2000!) but still a good starting point for anyone contemplating their first cruise there. Steve Weinstein S/V CAPTIVA 1997 Hunter 376, Hull #376 Sailing out of Oyster Bay, NY All outgoing mail protected by VIPRE A/V -Original Message- From: Wayne Beardsley Sent: Saturday, October 08, 2011 12:11 PM To: alock...@aol.com ; liveaboard@liveaboardonline.com Subject: Re: [Liveaboard] Bahamas - Where would you go? Good subject for discussion, and two months is long enough to see quite a lot. First the basics: The Bahamas are divided into several different regions. In the north are the Abacos, in the south are the Exumas and out islands, and in the center are Nassau, the Berry Islands, Eleuthra, Spanish Wells, etc. The very best navigational information is from the Explorer Chart Books which are available from West Marine and others. They are absolutely indispensible. Explorer charts are also available in electronic chart plotter format from C-MAP and others. We have both and use them all the time. The books also have quite a lot of cruising advice and local knowledge. Be sure to get the latest editions. Bimini and West End are both popular places to check in and clear customs. We try to avoid them since they somtimes are crowded and backed up wiith processing delays. Our last couple of trips we have cleared in at the Nassau Harbor Club Marina which is very convenient. The customs and immigration people come right to your boat and they are very quick and efficient. There is a large shopping center across the street from the marina. Chandleries and restaurants are also within easy walking distance. Entering from the north, it is possible to check in at other places than West End. It is permissable to anchor for the night without checking in as long as you don't fish or go ashore. Fly the Q flag and keep going the next day to a port of entry. Spanish Cay makes for a nice quiet and uncrowded place to clear customs, and you can continue south in the Abacos from there. In the Abacos our favorites are: Green Turtle Cay - anchor either Black Sound or White Sound; rent a golf cart and tour the island; visit New Providence and Sarah Pineapple's Pub; visit the Green Turtle club; tour the beaches on the north east side. Great Guana Key - primary attractions are the great beaches; snorkeling behind the reef on the east side; and of course, the famous Nippers Pub. Don't miss the pig roast on Sunday afternoons. Treasure Key Cove and Marina - Very protected harbor. Go out to the end of the point and go wading on the sand flats that stretch out for miles. Marsh Harbour - The heart of the Abacos and a great place to resupply - lots of stores and restaurants. Carry your VHF handheld ashore, everyone uses them to call taxis and ask advice. Don't miss the cruisers net on VHF 68 at 8:00AM - great source of advice and information. Hope Town Harbor - Great place, very scenic, climb the lighthouse, rent a golf cart and drive down to the south end - spectacularly scenic on a windy day. In the central Bahamas two of our favorites are Spanish Wells and harbour Island. They are close to each other and well worth visiting although very different. The Explorer Chart books have all the information that you need.Going to Harbour Island for the first time it is recommended that you hire one of the guides from Spanish Wells although the Explorer Charts are very accurate. South of Nassau are the Exuma Islands, arguably one of the best cruising areas in the western hemisphere. The islands are beautiful and there are many good harbors and dive sites, too many to mention all of them here. Some of our favorites are Allen's Cay, Highbourne Cay, Norman's Cay, Warderick Wells, Compass Cay and Staniel Cay. See the Explorer books and cruising guides for more information. I would tend to avoid Georgetown unless you have a lot of time and want to become part of the cruising community there. The Ragged Islands and Jumentos are beautiful, wild and remote but I would not recommend them for a first trip when you are somewhat limited in time. Regards and good cruising, Wayne
