CSR Bahamas Rendezvous (Spring Break 2015)

6 page form that you fill out either ahead of time or at custom office (much longer time), give them passport and $150/$300 cash (depending on size of boat) and you have cleared. Quite easy actually.

FYI: I have heard at the end of last summer that the customs office on Walkers was basically in shambles and they have started clearing people at Grand. Might want to verify that before pulling into Walkers since getting in there can be a bit tricky. Just trying to give whatever info I can to help.
 
trit21 said:
6 page form that you fill out either ahead of time or at custom office (much longer time), give them passport and $150/$300 cash (depending on size of boat) and you have cleared. Quite easy actually.

FYI: I have heard at the end of last summer that the customs office on Walkers was basically in shambles and they have started clearing people at Grand. Might want to verify that before pulling into Walkers since getting in there can be a bit tricky. Just trying to give whatever info I can to help.
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Thanks for your help, Tom. Steve and I were discussing a possibility for him to clear customs in Grand Cay, but we didn't think they had an office there. If they do, it's great as we'll be only 1 mile apart and the west coast group can head for DBL Breasted after clearing.
 
I have done Bimini, West End and the Abacos many times. My advice would be to skip Bimini as plan B. It's just not the "real" Bahamas and not worth the customs fees in my opinion. Once you get to the Abacos you will never want to leave.
 
Mystic Dreamer said:
I have done Bimini, West End and the Abacos many times. My advice would be to skip Bimini as plan B. It's just not the "real" Bahamas and not worth the customs fees in my opinion. Once you get to the Abacos you will never want to leave.
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Yes, you're right, Tom also mentioned it earlier in the thread. After few discussions, we're in agreement that Plan A will be trip to Abacos and Plan B will be FL coastal destinations. West or East or combination of the two is yet TBD. Once we cover important basics for plan A (Bahamas - Abacos), we'll start focusing on Plan B (FL waters).
 
Request also a fishing permit when clearing. No extra cost. Heard a rumor that fees went up to $400 for boats over 39 feet; I haven't confirmed however.. Also, cash only at customs.

look also into a wifi card when at old bahama inn; there is wifi almost everywhere.
 
ttmott said:
Request also a fishing permit when clearing. No extra cost. Heard a rumor that fees went up to $400 for boats over 39 feet; I haven't confirmed however.. Also, cash only at customs.

look also into a wifi card when at old bahama inn; there is wifi almost everywhere.
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Thanks for reminder on fishing permit.

Wifi and cell is essential for us. What's the best way to go about it? How their wifi cards work, is it a card with access code like Beacon offers?

What you do for iPhones, add roaming to your voice and data plan? Or do you buy/rent a GSM phone?

Quick update:
I just spoke with verizon and they said that I have two options for my iphone 5:
1) Open up my plan to include roaming for voice and data. But, it might get expensive.
2) Buy a temp SIM card from local company in Bahamas. This will make my phone number different, but it should be easier (for verizon) not to mess anything up with my account/phone number. With their SIM card, my phone should also work as a hotspot.

What you guys recommend?
 
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I just use my Iphone ATT and use sparingly. Most marinas have WIFI so you can use that when in port. Mostly I use in each morning to check on things and never touch it the rest of the day until next morning and then only for 30 minutes maybe. Your in the Bahamas, why are you on the internet? :) Communication is done by VHF, so get a good handheld or two so you can talk to everyone. All places in teh Bahamas have them, bar, grocery stores, marinas, cart rentals etc. Just call and they typically answer. Cell phone service and WIFI can be spotty, one day its there, next its not. Same with power, on and off continuously but again that might just be in the spring, summer months not really sure about that. I know when we go, everyday there seems to be a power outage and we have to run generators for 2-3 hrs. Remember, your in the Bahamas and things are slow in the Abacos. Parts come state side and then have to be transfered by boat to the island, then they have to find someone to fix problem. You'll see when you get there, nobody is in any kind of hurry, ever.
 
trit21 said:
FYI: I have heard at the end of last summer that the customs office on Walkers was basically in shambles and they have started clearing people at Grand. Might want to verify that before pulling into Walkers since getting in there can be a bit tricky. Just trying to give whatever info I can to help.
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this information is correct. C&I are now at Grand Cay.
 
that's too funny, bars, stores, car rentals all use VHF.....:lol:

Are they all on CH16?

But, it makes sense if phone service is a challange.

I know what you mean about need of internet, but between being in such line of business and having "digital kids" it becomes a part of the requirement, regadless where we go. Obviously, being disconnected for coupole of days is not the end of the world, but a week or 10 days is not very realistic. Since we have a mix between being at anchor and marinas, I think we'll be just fine. I'm also depending on my wifi booster to help me get more hits.
 
trit21 said:
I just use my Iphone ATT and use sparingly. Most marinas have WIFI so you can use that when in port. Mostly I use in each morning to check on things and never touch it the rest of the day until next morning and then only for 30 minutes maybe. Your in the Bahamas, why are you on the internet? :) Communication is done by VHF, so get a good handheld or two so you can talk to everyone. All places in teh Bahamas have them, bar, grocery stores, marinas, cart rentals etc. Just call and they typically answer. Cell phone service and WIFI can be spotty, one day its there, next its not. Same with power, on and off continuously but again that might just be in the spring, summer months not really sure about that. I know when we go, everyday there seems to be a power outage and we have to run generators for 2-3 hrs. Remember, your in the Bahamas and things are slow in the Abacos. Parts come state side and then have to be transfered by boat to the island, then they have to find someone to fix problem. You'll see when you get there, nobody is in any kind of hurry, ever.
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I would suggest that you might consider renting a satellite phone for the trip. SIM cards are OK but need land based towers to connect too. A SAT phone can be used anywhere and can be rented by the week. Another good thing about SAT phones is that if you have trouble in open water, you can always get somebody.
 
Odyssey said:
this information is correct. C&I are now at Grand Cay.
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Excellent!

Steve, take a note.....I guess your West Coast group can skip Walkers Cay and go direct to Grand Cay, and then meet us at DBL Breasted.
 
Odyssey said:
I would suggest that you might consider renting a satellite phone for the trip. SIM cards are OK but need land based towers to connect too. A SAT phone can be used anywhere and can be rented by the week. Another good thing about SAT phones is that if you have trouble in open water, you can always get somebody.
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That's a good option. I'll look into it as well. Do you know what they usually go for weekly rentals? I guess we would need for more like two weeks, by the time we're back in the States and will be in position to return the phone.

If I was doing the trip by myself, then I would definitely rent or even buy SAT phone, but since we're doing it as a group adds a lot more comfort, especially for offshore run. In any event, I think it's a good idea to have it.
 
Alex F said:
That's a good option. I'll look into it as well. Do you know what they usually go for weekly rentals? I guess we would need for more like two weeks, by the time we're back in the States and will be in position to return the phone.

If I was doing the trip by myself, then I would definitely rent or even buy SAT phone, but since we're doing it as a group adds a lot more comfort, especially for offshore run. In any event, I think it's a good idea to have it.
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I can look at the place where I bought my SAT phone, they rent them too. I'll post that information on the thread ASAP.
 
Odyssey said:
I can look at the place where I bought my SAT phone, they rent them too. I'll post that information on the thread ASAP.
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The company I purchased my SAT phone from has moved from Pompano Beach to Fort Lauderdale and changed their name. They are longer GMPCS. They are now Network Innovations. I don't know if they rent SAT phones but there are many companies who do the the south florida region. sorry I can't be more help here, I bought my SAT phone about 10 years ago
 
That seems fairly easy! Thanks for the response Alex. Best of Luck in your trip and safe travels to all! Maybe next year ill join:smt101
 
I keep following this thread, on the edge of my seat, salivating, almost sweating ( well not quite ), wanting to go.

Still on the edge about schedule. Long time ago I had arranged a lot of calendar items to be open in early march - before I knew about this trip. Hope I can get them moved and jump in.

Still a possibility... Here is to hoping!

Mark
 
Every morning at 8:15 in the Abacos listen in to Barometer Bob on VHF Channel 68. Boaters throught the Abacos report in actual water and weather conditions.

Pay close attention to sea conditions when going through Whale Cut to Loggerhead channel and back; Routine conditions can make that short exposure to Eastern seas really hairy. I have gone through Don't Rock in lieu of Whale Cut but you need that local knowledge as the shoals drift on a regular basis and it's shallow all the way through.

If the seas permit, the reef structures on the east side of most of the Cays are spectacular snorkeling and spear fishing especially off Moraine, Manjack, and Great Guana.
 
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