Cruising the Bahamas

S

Sea Path 44

New Member
Mar 13, 2009
29
Wilmington, NC
Boat Info
44 Sedan Bridge 2006
Engines
QSC 500
We are planning to cruise the Bahamas during the month of June in our 2006 44 sedan. Course: Ft Lauderdale, West End, Green Turtle Cay, Treasure Cay, Marsh Harbor, Hope Town, Elbow Cay, Little Harbor, Paradise Island, Compass/Staniel Cay, back to Paradise Island, Chub Cay, Bimini, Ft Lauderdale. Using Explorer Charts and using their suggested waypts, though I realize the concept of visual navigating in the Bahamas is best practice. I feel the most challenging run will be through Whale Cay Pass, the run from Little Harbor-Abaco down to Paradise Island, the run from Chub Cay to Bimini. I have time to wait for good weather/sea conditions. Any suggested dos and don'ts while curising such as places to see on the way, areas to cruise slowly, coral heads tough to see as certain areas, better places to buy diesel fuel, etc.
 
Sea Path 44 said:
We are planning to cruise the Bahamas during the month of June in our 2006 44 sedan. Course: Ft Lauderdale, West End, Green Turtle Cay, Treasure Cay, Marsh Harbor, Hope Town, Elbow Cay, Little Harbor, Paradise Island, Compass/Staniel Cay, back to Paradise Island, Chub Cay, Bimini, Ft Lauderdale. Using Explorer Charts and using their suggested waypts, though I realize the concept of visual navigating in the Bahamas is best practice. I feel the most challenging run will be through Whale Cay Pass, the run from Little Harbor-Abaco down to Paradise Island, the run from Chub Cay to Bimini. I have time to wait for good weather/sea conditions. Any suggested dos and don'ts while curising such as places to see on the way, areas to cruise slowly, coral heads tough to see as certain areas, better places to buy diesel fuel, etc.
Click to expand...

The Indian Rock passage from Old Bahama Bay out to the Bank is very skinny and it is advisable to only go by high tide and then dead idle.

I'd recommend a stop at Double brested for aswesom snorkling

Skip Spanish and get to Green Turtle... nice place to wait for clear passaage around THE Whale. The Whale can be the most trecherous passage you can ever encounter. I have that T-Shirt.

Round THE Whale, get to Orchid Bay on Guana and you won't want to leave. Nippers on Sunday ... that's the ticket.

Marsh Harbour, shallow water in approaches to marinas, I chopped mud every where in there. Marsh is dusty, noisey and generally not very interesting. Good for supplies however as ther eis a real grocery store there, Cab Ride.

Hope Town, waters to the south is SHALLOW consider passage at high tide for safe transit.

The passage to the Atlantic at Hope Town or Little Harbor can be dicey or just plain trecherous go to sea with caution.

The run from Little Harbor to Nassau is a nice long day, nothing different that isn't considered in open ocean work for 60 - 70 miles .

Nassau, lock up the OB for your tender, better take it below.

Nassau to Chubb, long following seas ... chop in a stink, Make sure Chubb is open and confirm the dock rate and that fuel is available. Friends just back from Chubb report rates jumped $2.00 ft to $4.50!

Chubb to Bimini, Piece of cake, 12 ft all the way on the Explorer charts, avoid overnight anchoring on the bank.

Entrance to Bimini, see my past posts here on Bimini, but it's not as obvious as it seems.

Bimini to Pt Everglades, make the transit in fair weather only, depart at first light from the Southern most channel to the Atlantic. Again se emy posts here on the Gulf Stream.

If you stay on the Explorer Chart courses, you'll never see a serious coral head. Their charts are the Abaco Bible!
 
Last edited:
Thanks! We are going to be staying at Bimini Bay Marina. From Chub Cay to Northwest Channel marker, would you recommend heading straight to Cat Cay, pass Gun Cay then on up to North Bimini going outside or from NW Channel marker to Mackie Shoal on up North Rock then outside down to North Bimini inlet? Also, from Little Harbor-Abaco, would you recommend heading straight down to Eleuthera (50 or so miles) then follow the coast line over to Nassau or go the direct route from Little Harbor straight to Nassau (100 miles). I know weather has all to do with it but what is the most "comfortable" route"? One more....from Paradise Island out the eastern channel to Porgee Rock, following the Explorer Chart route, is it all out down cruising speed to Sampson/Staniel (watching for coral heads) or do I need to crawl?
 
Great vacation you're planning and you picked some wonderful places to visit. As always, Chad's advice is great (especially about Double Breasted Cay).

Your questions deserve more than a quick answers and I would be more than happy to tell you what I know but just a couple of quick things to add to Chads post...

1 - like you say, visual navigation is very important. I use it when "getting in close". I've found Garmin (and their Blue Charts software) to be the best electronic navigation on the market for the Bahams. It is always spot on. Using the Explorer charts with the other 2 makes for perfection. Some routes to marinas can change at any time due to shoaling, Compass Cay for instance. Before approaching that marina, I would call Tucker on 16 and he'll tell you what route to take to safely get in.
2 - there would be a couple of places i would add to the plan (Wardrick Wells, Sampson, Double Breated). There may be a couple others too depending on your specific routing.
3 - be aware that at this time, Chub does not turn on their generators on during the day. They only use them at night. This may change with summer but it may not. Chub is very expensive (dockage, fuel, electric).

You Chad and I should get together someting so we can get into your trip in detail. I have routes, photos and of course stories to tell. Why don't you join us in Lucaya and we can have a get together!

Randy
 
Here's a similar trip my son and I took the year before last


Eleuthratrip.jpg
 
Yes, it would be great to chat with you both about your trips and experiences. I'm heading over from Ft Lauderdale Saturday June 6th, weather permitting. Staying for two nights at Port Lacaya Marina. I was thinking about heading over to Green Turtle Cay by going through the Lacaya Waterway but have heard mixed opinions so instead, we'll head up to Old Bahama Bay for one night and then head out from West End to Green Turtle Cay through Indian Rock Passage.
 
I met a family in Fort Lauderdale that actually live on the Lucayan Waterway. They has a 60 foot boat that draws 5 feet. They told me that they can go out the north entrance at dead high tide. I would try to get that information confirmed and if so, I would try it!
 
I keep a 460 sundancer in Treasure Cay for the last 3 years. i have been warned about the passage through the whale cay and i have found that it has never been an issue. it is only a problem for sail boats since the currents can be up to 6 knots.

We have taken the boat all the way to San Salvador in the bahamas. i noticed that you are going to harbour island and i would suggest entering from the south. the North entrance is very tricky and not worth the consequences in my opiniion.

the only other suggestion is avoid Nassau and Freeport and go to the out islands. i think thoses are the experiences you can only get with your own boat. Have Fun!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,217
Messages
1,428,790
Members
61,114
Latest member
Hercy911
Back
Top