Twin-engine boats are much more comfortable, since if something fails they can return home. My family and I used it to fish, ski (yes, you can ski behind a pontoon boat), and cruise the lakes near our home. I live for the weekends when I can go out on the water and escape the stress of life on land. To the south, Bimini is a tiny group of islands on the western side of the Great Bahama Bank. The Abacos are an excellent area for island hopping, from Walkers and Grand Cays in the north, stretching southeast to famous spots like Green Turtle Cay, Man-O-War Cay, and Elbow Cay. Upon arrival, boaters must visit Bahamas … There are only a handful of villages scattered across the more than 360 islands, islets and sandbars that make up the Exuma archipelago in the Bahamas. The Islands of the Bahamas start just 50 miles east of South Florida. Sitting right on the edge of the Gulf Stream, it’s been a popular haunt of many American fishermen. A 1981 8.5 meter (28') S2 with shoal draft of 3'10". If you’re nervous about making the crossing the first time on your own, many small boats make the trip all the time. All rights reserved. Bahamas Boating Regulations . The country is made up of more than ten separate archipelagos, with each island group having its own distinct vibe. From there, they stretch like stepping stones to the Caribbean, but there’s no need to get ahead of ourselves. The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is a large country. School of Sailing published a great … The Bahamas has plenty to explore. This week we thought we'd share with you a day in our lives to give you an idea of what it is like to be a live aboard cruiser and travel blogger. Yes, sailing the Caribbean is the type of bucket-list activity most of us dream about. For a complete set of the procedures and ports of entry, visit MyOutIslands.com. Ernest Hemingway, for one, spent a lot of time here. For many boaters near Florida, that fantasy may be more achievable than they realize. Small boats will want to wait until completely calm weather to make the crossing. Once you are in The Bahamas, several island chains there allow you to island-hop without making any more bluewater passages. This sea state is exceptionally hazardous for any small vessel. It is not available online, but both it and the customs form can be obtained from The Bahamas Tourist Office in Plantation, Florida. The cost for the cruising permit depends on the length of your boat. Over the next eight winters we made five more voyages to the Bahamas in Little Cruiser. Their favorite destinations have been the Outer Banks of North Carolina, … With Customs and accommodations on-site, this is the perfect spot to begin exploring the islands. Welcome to the islands. Congratulations, you’ve made it to The Bahamas in your own boat and are now free to explore! Fuel becomes less available, and the distances between ports increase. Take the helm, drop anchor and discover all that the Exumas have to offer on a sailing … Cruising World may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Van De Stadt Legend 34. Recommended to you based on your activity and what's popular • Feedback It’s a powerhouse of energy and warm water that flows north out of the Caribbean, between Florida and Cuba, and north along Florida’s east coast. Explore the Out Islands (Eleuthera and Exuma) as you sail for new horizons! We offer captained & bareboat sailing charters with excellent service and local knowledge so that you get the most out of cruising the Sea of Abaco. I own the best small boat for cruising the Bahamas. Boats come in many different sizes and shapes for any enthusiast. I also love helping others, which is why I created this website. 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