Boat charter in the Abacos
- Thread starter Arnold
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Abacos don't come close to the exumas.... it's fine if you want to spend a lot of time docked, like snowbirds in the winter, but for cruising? Exumas. Nothing else.
BVIs are way too crowded... my idea of fun is to anchor and have no more than a couple of boats around, at worst. Not a couple dozens, in the Exumas it's not uncommon to be the only boat in an anchorage,
That said there are very few bareboat charters in the Exumas (out of Nassau). Best time woudl be March thru June, especially for the abacos whcih are further north and a lot more prone to cold fronts
BVIs are way too crowded... my idea of fun is to anchor and have no more than a couple of boats around, at worst. Not a couple dozens, in the Exumas it's not uncommon to be the only boat in an anchorage,
That said there are very few bareboat charters in the Exumas (out of Nassau). Best time woudl be March thru June, especially for the abacos whcih are further north and a lot more prone to cold fronts
- Joined
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To illustrate my point about how the exumas are uncrowded, I took this last week. Incidentally, one of the people seen on the transom is also a long time BE member....
https://instagram.com/p/BQ-2ttdBW1D/
https://instagram.com/p/BQ-2ttdBW1D/
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Many people enjoy chartering in the Abacos. We did a bare boat out of Nanny Cay and had a great time. We have lived aboard our boat in the Abacos quite a while. The Abacos are not as pristine or remote as the Exumas but one can have a great time on a charter there. Many folks move about the Abacos on charter stopping at various cays. Some anchor out, some stay in marinas, some mix it up.
If I was going to choose a time of year for the Abacos it would probably be some time starting in May through July. Once beyond July establishments close down for the hurricane season. If you go in Winter you have to be ready for cooler temps and rougher water but the sailing might be better. There are a few itineraries online that may appeal to you.
Some of the cays are interesting to walk around on. If you get a mooring at Hope Town Harbour, dink into town and walk around. It's pleasant. The same for ManOWar and Green Turtle. At Green Turtle you will have to traverse Whale Cay on the Atlantic and the charter company may require that you check in before taking that on.
On Green Turtle throw the hook off New Providence and dink in so you can walk around. If you can get up to Nunjack there are some great beaches on both sides but it depends on your ability and the weather to get that far and back.
Going South Little Harbour is a favorite stop.
If I was going to choose a time of year for the Abacos it would probably be some time starting in May through July. Once beyond July establishments close down for the hurricane season. If you go in Winter you have to be ready for cooler temps and rougher water but the sailing might be better. There are a few itineraries online that may appeal to you.
Some of the cays are interesting to walk around on. If you get a mooring at Hope Town Harbour, dink into town and walk around. It's pleasant. The same for ManOWar and Green Turtle. At Green Turtle you will have to traverse Whale Cay on the Atlantic and the charter company may require that you check in before taking that on.
On Green Turtle throw the hook off New Providence and dink in so you can walk around. If you can get up to Nunjack there are some great beaches on both sides but it depends on your ability and the weather to get that far and back.
Going South Little Harbour is a favorite stop.
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I'm not sure this works for you but here is a link https://www.navtours.com/en/destinations/bahamas-charter/
We watched a cat beat South along Great Exuma (we were on land in a car checking out various places and saw them on occasion). They pulled in next to us at Emerald Bay. Once tied up three couples mutinied and rented a condo there on the spot at Grand Isle. The captain had a broken finger (fortunately he was a doctor). This was back in May of 2014. There was some nasty weather while they were out and it was why we were still at Emerald Bay. When the weather broke we ran up to Cave Cay cut knowing the tide would oppose us AND wind when we got there.
It was "sporty" as some like to say and we were in a 43' Hatteras M/Y. However once inside headed to Staniel it was just fine.
The Exumas really are a treat when it all works but you had better have everything you need when you traverse them. The Abacos is far less demanding.
We watched a cat beat South along Great Exuma (we were on land in a car checking out various places and saw them on occasion). They pulled in next to us at Emerald Bay. Once tied up three couples mutinied and rented a condo there on the spot at Grand Isle. The captain had a broken finger (fortunately he was a doctor). This was back in May of 2014. There was some nasty weather while they were out and it was why we were still at Emerald Bay. When the weather broke we ran up to Cave Cay cut knowing the tide would oppose us AND wind when we got there.
It was "sporty" as some like to say and we were in a 43' Hatteras M/Y. However once inside headed to Staniel it was just fine.
The Exumas really are a treat when it all works but you had better have everything you need when you traverse them. The Abacos is far less demanding.
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Unless they ve upgraded their fleet, navtour boats are pretty bare... no genset, no AC... yuck
The sound can be rough but with 80 miles of cay accessible from the bank, you don't have to get in the sound, unless you really want to go to Gtown... when it's a bit rough, even we avoid the sound (with an 84' stabilized MY) and stay on the bank. If we have to get supplies or have to pick up drop off people, we do it at the northern end of great Exuma, accessible from the bank. Tons of options.
That said, indeed the abacos are a little easier which is why you have more boats there and bareboat operations
The sound can be rough but with 80 miles of cay accessible from the bank, you don't have to get in the sound, unless you really want to go to Gtown... when it's a bit rough, even we avoid the sound (with an 84' stabilized MY) and stay on the bank. If we have to get supplies or have to pick up drop off people, we do it at the northern end of great Exuma, accessible from the bank. Tons of options.
That said, indeed the abacos are a little easier which is why you have more boats there and bareboat operations
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2000
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Well, I will say if you charter Pascal's Power Yacht, that's pretty darn easy.
As far as Exumas vs. Abacos, there is a ton more land life in the Abacos. Restaurants, fuel, shops, marinas, protection the Abacos are definitely superior. Views, outback experience, water, moorings but less protected especially from Westerlies, Exumas are better.
As far as Exumas vs. Abacos, there is a ton more land life in the Abacos. Restaurants, fuel, shops, marinas, protection the Abacos are definitely superior. Views, outback experience, water, moorings but less protected especially from Westerlies, Exumas are better.