2024 Bahamas Eleuthera Extended Fling - Get ready to have a bucket list trip of fun

[ocgrant]

If you missed these in the past now is your chance to join us for the Extended Fling this year 10 days in the Bahamas traveling to Harbor Island in Eleuthera. Passing through the famous "Devils Backbone".

Save the date right now as we are getting into our final planning July 8-19

More to come soon....

 

[Boca_Vincent]

That will be an awesome trip. I'll be there in 3 weeks (via Makers Air), staying on Rainbow bay but planning on a day trip over Harbor island so I'll scope out Valentines for ya.

 

[boaterholic]

If you missed these in the past now is your chance to join us for the Extended Fling this year 10 days in the Bahamas traveling to Harbor Island in Eleuthera. Passing through the famous "Devils Backbone".

Save the date right now as we are getting into our final planning July 8-19

More to come soon....

We are going to try to make Exumas next year in July, but if something changes we will try at least to go back to North Eleuthera and Spanish Wells. Maybe we’ll get to see you all.
We loved Spanish Wells, and our day trip to HI was great too!

 

[Boca_Vincent]

What a cool place and different from the other smaller out islands. No doubt it will be a great trip. All 3 marinas on HI were closed for season (aerial view) so we didn't get over there. Spanish Wells beach was probably the most beautiful I have ever walked on. Lots of cool scenery and topography to explore, so you may want to rent cars for a day or 2 to get around. Someday I'll be back. Disney is beginning development of the Southern tip Lighthouse point area for their cruise port, so I am glad we made it there while it is mostly unspoiled. We got escorted off the property after hiking down to the point!

 

[ocgrant]

What a cool place and different from the other smaller out islands. No doubt it will be a great trip. All 3 marinas on HI were closed for season (aerial view) so we didn't get over there. Spanish Wells beach was probably the most beautiful I have ever walked on. Lots of cool scenery and topography to explore, so you may want to rent cars for a day or 2 to get around. Someday I'll be back. Disney is beginning development of the Southern tip Lighthouse point area for their cruise port, so I am glad we made it there while it is mostly unspoiled. We got escorted off the property after hiking down to the point!
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Did you make it to glass window bridge and the queens bath's? Such cool sites

 

[highslice]

What a cool place and different from the other smaller out islands. No doubt it will be a great trip. All 3 marinas on HI were closed for season (aerial view) so we didn't get over there. Spanish Wells beach was probably the most beautiful I have ever walked on. Lots of cool scenery and topography to explore, so you may want to rent cars for a day or 2 to get around. Someday I'll be back. Disney is beginning development of the Southern tip Lighthouse point area for their cruise port, so I am glad we made it there while it is mostly unspoiled. We got escorted off the property after hiking down to the point!
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They have a "season"?

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

Did the Florida Loop this summer in my '96 450DA.

Subscribed to this thread.

BEST !

RWS

 

[Boca_Vincent]

They have a "season"?

Did you make it to glass window bridge and the queens bath's? Such cool sites

@highslice Yes, hurricane season. Lots of places close from mid/ late august until Nov., or random times within that period. Makes it interesting if you are looking for an open restaurant. The plus side is feels like you have the island to yourself.

@ocgrant yes, both were amazing. Seas were still kicked up from Ophelia passing, so it was very cool to stand in there and feel power of the waves and see their effects over time. We were warned to go at low tide and keep a safe distance, as a tourist had been swept off the rocks and killed earlier in the month.

 

[highslice]

@highslice Yes, hurricane season. Lots of places close from mid/ late august until Nov., or random times within that period. Makes it interesting if you are looking for an open restaurant. The plus side is feels like you have the island to yourself.

@ocgrant yes, both were amazing. Seas were still kicked up from Ophelia passing, so it was very cool to stand in there and feel power of the waves and see their effects over time. We were warned to go at low tide and keep a safe distance, as a tourist had been swept off the rocks and killed earlier in the month.

Ahhh, that makes perfect sense. Wasn't thinking of them closing for the whole hurricane season. Thanks.

 

[ocgrant]

Ahhh, that makes perfect sense. Wasn't thinking of them closing for the whole hurricane season. Thanks.

Some close for a couple months but many just a few weeks. A lot of the marinas & hotels shut for a month to deal with construction projects and maintenance. While it gives their staff some time off before the winter tourist season cranks up. Construction and maintenance over there is a big deal and planning and timing are critical for them since they are dodging storms typically this time of year. That is why summer cruisers slow down late August. Now the sailors show up and the resorts don't really like them so much as they stay on the hook and don't spend much $$$ but feel like they are entitled dump their trash and use their facilities for free. Then November charter season ramps up for all the mega yachts that return from the Med start their weekly charter business back up usually basing out of a marina and spending big $$.

 

[highslice]

Some close for a couple months but many just a few weeks. A lot of the marinas & hotels shut for a month to deal with construction projects and maintenance. While it gives their staff some time off before the winter tourist season cranks up. Construction and maintenance over there is a big deal and planning and timing are critical for them since they are dodging storms typically this time of year. That is why summer cruisers slow down late August. Now the sailors show up and the resorts don't really like them so much as they stay on the hook and don't spend much $$$ but feel like they are entitled dump their trash and use their facilities for free. Then November charter season ramps up for all the mega yachts that return from the Med start their weekly charter business back up usually basing out of a marina and spending big $$.

Thanks Grant. That is interesting. Not surprised the blow boaters are cheap and entitled. Makes me want to take trip over there that much more.

 

[ocgrant]

Thanks Grant. That is interesting. Not surprised the blow boaters are cheap and entitled. Makes me want to take trip over there that much more.

Tow that SLX over here in July and come to Bimini with us. Taken plenty of those over that time of year. This is where you launch and leave your tow rig safely

https://harbourtownemarina.com/

 

[copb8tx]

Tow that SLX over here in July and come to Bimini with us. Taken plenty of those over that time of year. This is where you launch and leave your tow rig safely

https://harbourtownemarina.com/

Ok, now you've piqued my interest. I always thought your trips were all big boats and staying aboard. If there's a possibility of them being small boat friendly and resort based, then I'm all ears.

I've had already begun my preliminary planning to do a crossing next year in my 25' CC. Wanted to go with at least a small group for safety reasons. I would trailer from the west coast and leave the truck and trailer somewhere during the duration of the trip.

There are some obstacles for sure, but the first one to overcome is getting my wife onboard (yes, that was intentional )

 

[Alex F]

I did Eleuthera trip few years ago. Absolutely a must do. It's a long run (about 200NM from FTL), but well worth it. I did it early spring and the weather didn't care about my schedule. So, we took some serious beating. July will most like be a totally different cruising.

I have no idea if this will be in line with our cruising plans, but I'll keep an eye on this thread.

 

[ocgrant]

Ok, now you've piqued my interest. I always thought your trips were all big boats and staying aboard. If they're a possibility of them being small boat friendly and resort based, then I'm all ears.

I've had already begun my preliminary planning to do a crossing next year in by 25' CC. Wanted to go with at least a small group for safety reasons. I would trailer from the west coast and leave the truck and trailer somewhere during the duration of the trip.

There are some obstacles for sure, but the first one to overcome is getting my wife onboard (yes, that was intentional )

That is mainly the big trip each year where we have mainly larger boats. There are still a couple of center consoles that come and stay in hotels or Air B&B's. Now the Bimini trips are pretty much mostly smaller boats with a few first timers in bigger boats. Many places to stay in Bimini but if you want something nice where the water and AC always work in the room then the Hilton is the place. Yes Harbortown is where you launch from in Ft Lauderdale, they have 24 hour access and overnight parking for your tow rigs.

https://biminibaymarina.com

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bi...ce=1_MTMyNjA3NDAtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU=

The 2024 Boating Fling dates are as follows:

June 06-09, 2024 - Grand Bahama
June 13-16, 2024 - Bimini
June 20-23, 2024 - Bimini
July 9-19, 2024 - Extended Fling Eleuthera
July 25-28, 2024 - Bimini
August 01-04, 2024 - Bimini

 

[copb8tx]

That is mainly the big trip each year where we have mainly larger boats. There are still a couple of center consoles that come and stay in hotels or Air B&B's. Now the Bimini trips are pretty much mostly smaller boats with a few first timers in bigger boats. Many places to stay in Bimini but if you want something nice where the water and AC always work in the room then the Hilton is the place. Yes Harbortown is where you launch from in Ft Lauderdale, they have 24 hour access and overnight parking for your tow rigs.

https://biminibaymarina.com

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bimbrhh-hilton-at-resorts-world-bimini/?SEO_id=GMB-AMER-HH-BIMBRHH&y_source=1_MTMyNjA3NDAtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU=

The 2024 Boating Fling dates are as follows:

June 06-09, 2024 - Grand Bahama
June 13-16, 2024 - Bimini
June 20-23, 2024 - Bimini
July 9-19, 2024 - Extended Fling Eleuthera
July 25-28, 2024 - Bimini
August 01-04, 2024 - Bimini

This is perfect information for me. Thank you very much.

Let the planning begin...

 

[ocgrant]

Here you go to see a little of Bimini

https://www.portbiminiwebcam.com/

You can also rent the condo's that are on this webcam if you are bringing a larger crew. They are available on all the rental sites.

 

[ocgrant]

I did Eleuthera trip few years ago. Absolutely a must do. It's a long run (about 200NM from FTL), but well worth it. I did it early spring and the weather didn't care about my schedule. So, we took some serious beating. July will most like be a totally different cruising.

I have no idea if this will be in line with our cruising plans, but I'll keep an eye on this thread.

Alex,

Would be great to have you along.... This is the travel agenda, still working on the daily excursions.

 

[ocgrant]

The Fling is live and on the website. www.bahamas.com/boating
Sign ups are limited to 30 boats so if you are thinking about joining us, get on the roster now...

 

[LMBoat]

Hey Grant,

Do you have any info on Honeymoon Harbor? I hear a cruise ship company has made a deal with someone and now we are not allowed to go ashore there? If so, this might be the last straw for me at Bimini.