The Bahamas are located north of the Greater Antilles and southeast of Florida. Technically the location of the Bahamas is in the North Atlantic Ocean, not in the Caribbean as it is popularly defined. The Bahamas comprises a group of 700 small islands and 2,400 keys in an area of 13,878 square kilometers. Only a little more than 30 islands are inhabited, and they add up to a total population of just over 380,000 inhabitants.
Although the Bahamas comprises many islands and cays, only a few receive a massive influx of tourists. And therein lies part of its great appeal. If you are looking for an urban place, it is possible in the Bahamas with all that this means. But for those looking for a more relaxed trip and hoping to find spaces where they can cultivate peace of mind and true relaxation, the Bahamas are an unmissable destination.
BIMINI
Our preferred itinerary from Florida to the Bahamas has Bimini as its first stop; around 50 nautical miles from South Florida, sailing through the blue waters of the Gulf to acclimatize, do immigration and customs, and spend the night with documentation ready to set sail the following day.
For first-timers, you may want to spend a full day at the closest point in the Bahamas to the United States. Velvety sandy beaches, quaint shops, and enchanting sunsets are just a few of Bimini’s many charms.
The preferred place to anchor is in front of the Big Game Club docks in Alice Town, where the marina offers access to the city by boat. The second is at the harbor’s north end, near the new resort and casino, Resorts World. As with any anchorage in the Bahamas, it is essential to ensure that the anchor is well anchored and aware of the strong currents in the port of Bimini.
BERRY ISLANDS
The next destination is the Berry Islands. A place in the Bahamas, 95 miles east of Bimini, is relatively undeveloped.
Deeper draft boats will find better depths on the northern route. From Bimini, sail north to North Rock and then east to Great Harbor to the north end of the Berry Islands.
The anchorage at Bullocks Harbor provides easy access to the town pier for landing the dinghy. There is quite a lot of grass on the seabed in that area. So it is prudent to look for a “patch” of sand to release the anchor. Within Hawksnest, on the east side of Great Harbor Cay, lies a spectacular anchorage with miles of white sand beaches.
Most of the 30 islands in the Berry Islands are uninhabited, providing great spaces for boaters seeking quiet. Great Stirrup Cay is the perfect place to snorkel and watch colorful fish dart ankle-deep in shallow water. Chub Cay is surrounded by amazing reefs that are full of exotic wonders. It is also possible to enjoy snorkeling, lobster fishing, and varied fishing in various places in the Berry Islands. The main marina has restaurants where visitors can sample wonderfully prepared seafood dishes and enjoy cocktails made from fresh and exotic ingredients.
Soldier Cay, Hoffman’s Cay, and White and Fowl Cay offer more possibilities for solitude and exploration.
NEW PROVIDENCE AND PARADISE
New Providence & Paradise forms a glamorous duo that showcases the more urban side of the Bahamas. Linked by a bridge, these two islands offer a wide selection of beaches, casinos, nightclubs, shops, and exclusive restaurants that make this destination look like Miami or Vegas. It is a place where it is possible to enjoy an international-level spa or stay in nature, enjoying a more relaxed tropical environment.
Paradise Island is home to the world’s largest open-air aquarium for those looking for classic entertainment for the whole family. Tours of Versailles Gardens and French Cloisters, Predator Lagoon, Christ Church Cathedral, The Bahamas Heritage Museum, Queen’s Staircase and Pirates of Nassau Museum, Nassau National Gallery of Art The Bahamas, and the Marine Habitat in Atlantis are almost obligatory destinations for sailors who prefer to enjoy traditional cultural attractions.
For those not looking for urban entertainment, it is advisable to anchor at Rose Island, located northeast of New Providence. It is far from everything, but it is an excellent place to launch towards the Exumas.
EXUMAS
The Exuma chain has more than 300 staggeringly isolated keys. It is almost inevitable to feel small when visiting the Exumas. The natural landscape is quite extensive and, in general, is free from the traces of man.
The journey from Rose Island is through the “dreaded” Yellow Banks. Beyond their contribution to the beauty of the scenery, the benches make navigation more complex and require special attention. A well-designed route over deeper water on the chart is vital to navigating this area. It’s also good to have the sun up high, and someone positioned at the bow or flybridge to get a good view of the road ahead.
As you sail south, already in the Exumas, the daily journeys become shorter. Anchors are plentiful, and each should be considered based on the amount of wind protection each boater needs.
From the beginning of the chain of Exuma cays and up to Georgetown in “The Great Exuma,” it is impossible to avoid the feeling of wanting to stop every 10 minutes. Each sailor will choose where to do it according to their preferences, but it is recommended not to miss visiting Allen’s Cay with its iguanas, Norman’s Cay with its cozy interior anchorages, Warderick Wells, possibly the most beautiful place in the world, Staniel Cay with its Thunderball Grotto or the swimming pigs of Big Majors.
Further south is the settlement of Black Point, another sight to see, and Farmer’s Cay. It is recommended that larger vessels leave Galliot Cut for George Town, while smaller vessels may travel inland to Rat Cay, Square Rock, or Glass Cay Cuts before heading into Exuma Sound to reach George Town.
George Town has a full-service marina with countless attractions and services. Probably a good place to land for a couple of days, refuel the ship, make contact with civilization, and start the second leg of the voyage.
ELEUTHERA
Eleuthera is one of the safest and most exciting islands in the Bahamas and is a trendy destination for boaters. Eleuthera is part of the Grand Bahama Bank and is geographically thin and long. This portion of the Bahamas is extraordinary because it is where the dark blue waves of the Atlantic Ocean delicately caress the crystal clear waves of the Caribbean Sea.
From George Town, it is possible to sail up the western coast of the Exumas – retracing the path made to get there – to Warderick Wells, where it is possible to cross to the eastern side of the Exumas, and from there, with safe waters heading northeast to Powell Point in Eleuthera, to go from there directly to Rock Sound and anchor in the vicinity of the port.
From north of Rock Sound, there are plenty of great anchor stops. This includes South Palmetto Point, Governors Harbour, Hatchet Bay, and Spanish Wells. None of the anchorages are very far from each other, which makes travel easy. The area around Spanish Wells is worth at least a few days of exploration due to its exciting history.
The island and the cays surrounding Eleuthera boasts 210 miles of clean, attractive coastline. It consists of a long main island with several towns, four cays, and Windermere Islands to the east. This makes it the perfect destination to find a secluded stretch of coastline to anchor or explore the reefs. There are many full-service boatyards and marinas on the island, resorts, and plenty of places to eat and drink. Also, you can freely explore the inner parts of the island and interact with the locals.
Harbor Island is a crucial island attraction, but Pink Sands Beach is the best-known destination, where the sand is literally pink. A unique place to hang out and sunbathe.
STARTING THE RETURN
From the northern tip of Eleuthera, head West-Northwest – to the north tip of the Berry Islands again. A stop for supplies and start the return home. From there, depending on the preferences of the sailor and the size of his boat and autonomy, I could go directly to the coast of Florida. But suppose you are reluctant to leave behind that possible paradise called the Bahamas. In that case, you can make a stopover in Bimini and take a couple more days before returning to reality.
