- Joined
- Sep 16, 2003
- RO Number
- 12212
- Messages
- 12,183
just returned from a 2 1/2 week trip from Miami down to Staniel Cay in the Exumas. Here are a few notes and pictures.
Bimini
Stopped at Sea Crest in Alice Town, a better choice than Bimini Bay Mega concrete Resort at the north end since you're next to customs, close to the beach and the liquor store (Rum is half price compared to Miami...)
Free Wifi at Seacrest, although a little weak. $1 a foot...
Berry
Anchored off the beach at Chub, between the channel and the beach. good holding, deep enough and a good alternative to a $250 dockage bill.
Little Harbor Cay:
Not worth the stop despite being in all cruising guide. the "anchorage" between cabbage and LHC is too small and too shallow, the bay in front of the apparently closed Flo's is too shallow, even for a tender at low tide. we anchored off Cabbage on the west side, some surge, not that scenic. White Cay is MUCH better
Petit Cay, East beach off Great Harbor:
one of the most scenic anchorage, although exposed to the East. We were fine near the point that extends towards Petit Cay with northerly wind. Beautiful beach, plenty of water. Not listed in most guides... go figure.
Great Harbor Cay Marina: great for that out island feeling. if you want a modern, fake, concrete and plaster place, this is not for you, just stick to Disney for your vacations. $1 a ft, friendly, good docks. free wifi (although a little weak at the dock)
Nassau
Stopped at Hurricane Hole Marina, it's ok although expensive (about $4), walking distance from Atlantis. $10 a day wifi. Atlantis is jsut a little more $ although less privacy with the hords of tourists but ok for one night. fuel at hurricane hole is the cheapest i could find in Nassau, although 3.61 a gallon cant' be called cheap.
a good option to anchor out near Nassau is Rose island, off the east end... a few minutes away (obviously too far to dinghy in ) but good northerly protection.
Exumas:
The best bahamas destination in my opinion. When you consider than it's 160NM from Ft Lauderdale to Key West, and just 195NM to Normans, make that the best cruising destination in South Florida (obviously if the weather cooperates...)
dozens and dozens of places and beaches to explore.
Favorites:
Norman Cay. good anchorages, dozens of spectacular beaches and sandbars, snorkel on the ditched DC3, etc...
Warderick Wells (Exumas Park). Breathtaking is the best way to describe it... good moorings, $10 a day wifi with 100mb limit (but no cell coverage). Some surge at the larger outer moorign balls make the Emerald anchorage/mooring a better alternative on windy days, just as close to the park office. walking up to Boo Boo Hill is a must.
Samson Cay Marina:
Nice marina, modern but not over the top. the sandbars off the inner basin are spectacular. ok restaurant, not too efficient staff (made us wait for 45 minutes at the entrance to decide where to put us...). Plenty of places to explore with the tender within a 3 miles radius.
Staniel Cay Yacht Club:
More like a pirate club than a yacht club, which is good. friendly efficient management, great place although a little busy. Right across from the thunderball cave and other great places to explore with the dink.
An alternative to the Marina is anchoring out just east of the Thunderball grotto (some current but deep and good holding), pick one of the club Thunderball moorings or anchor of Big Majors(swimming pig beach), jsut around the bend. good holding and protection there.
there are many other places to anchor at and explore in the Exumas, just not enough time... I've been in many places over the years, having lived on St Barth for 13 years, from the Grenadines to the VIs and still put the Northern Exumas as the most spectacular cruising destination. Not just for the color of the water, not just for the beaches, but for the number of protected anchorages and the fact that since you can go on the bank side, you're always protected. Also in winter, being a little further SE than the northern Bahamas, the weather isn't as affected by cold fronts.
more pictures right here...
Bimini
Stopped at Sea Crest in Alice Town, a better choice than Bimini Bay Mega concrete Resort at the north end since you're next to customs, close to the beach and the liquor store (Rum is half price compared to Miami...)
Free Wifi at Seacrest, although a little weak. $1 a foot...
Berry
Anchored off the beach at Chub, between the channel and the beach. good holding, deep enough and a good alternative to a $250 dockage bill.
Little Harbor Cay:
Not worth the stop despite being in all cruising guide. the "anchorage" between cabbage and LHC is too small and too shallow, the bay in front of the apparently closed Flo's is too shallow, even for a tender at low tide. we anchored off Cabbage on the west side, some surge, not that scenic. White Cay is MUCH better
Petit Cay, East beach off Great Harbor:
one of the most scenic anchorage, although exposed to the East. We were fine near the point that extends towards Petit Cay with northerly wind. Beautiful beach, plenty of water. Not listed in most guides... go figure.
Great Harbor Cay Marina: great for that out island feeling. if you want a modern, fake, concrete and plaster place, this is not for you, just stick to Disney for your vacations. $1 a ft, friendly, good docks. free wifi (although a little weak at the dock)
Nassau
Stopped at Hurricane Hole Marina, it's ok although expensive (about $4), walking distance from Atlantis. $10 a day wifi. Atlantis is jsut a little more $ although less privacy with the hords of tourists but ok for one night. fuel at hurricane hole is the cheapest i could find in Nassau, although 3.61 a gallon cant' be called cheap.
a good option to anchor out near Nassau is Rose island, off the east end... a few minutes away (obviously too far to dinghy in ) but good northerly protection.
Exumas:
The best bahamas destination in my opinion. When you consider than it's 160NM from Ft Lauderdale to Key West, and just 195NM to Normans, make that the best cruising destination in South Florida (obviously if the weather cooperates...)
dozens and dozens of places and beaches to explore.
Favorites:
Norman Cay. good anchorages, dozens of spectacular beaches and sandbars, snorkel on the ditched DC3, etc...
Warderick Wells (Exumas Park). Breathtaking is the best way to describe it... good moorings, $10 a day wifi with 100mb limit (but no cell coverage). Some surge at the larger outer moorign balls make the Emerald anchorage/mooring a better alternative on windy days, just as close to the park office. walking up to Boo Boo Hill is a must.
Samson Cay Marina:
Nice marina, modern but not over the top. the sandbars off the inner basin are spectacular. ok restaurant, not too efficient staff (made us wait for 45 minutes at the entrance to decide where to put us...). Plenty of places to explore with the tender within a 3 miles radius.
Staniel Cay Yacht Club:
More like a pirate club than a yacht club, which is good. friendly efficient management, great place although a little busy. Right across from the thunderball cave and other great places to explore with the dink.
An alternative to the Marina is anchoring out just east of the Thunderball grotto (some current but deep and good holding), pick one of the club Thunderball moorings or anchor of Big Majors(swimming pig beach), jsut around the bend. good holding and protection there.
there are many other places to anchor at and explore in the Exumas, just not enough time... I've been in many places over the years, having lived on St Barth for 13 years, from the Grenadines to the VIs and still put the Northern Exumas as the most spectacular cruising destination. Not just for the color of the water, not just for the beaches, but for the number of protected anchorages and the fact that since you can go on the bank side, you're always protected. Also in winter, being a little further SE than the northern Bahamas, the weather isn't as affected by cold fronts.
more pictures right here...
