Bahamas - A Yachting Destination Guide by Ocean Independence

BAHAMAS A YACHTING DESTINATION GUIDE

CANADA

Grand Bahama Great Abaco

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Bimini Islands

Harbour Island New Providence Nassau

Eleuthera

Andros Island Cat Island

Exuma Long Island

VENEZUELA CUBA

COLOMBIA BRAZIL

San Salvador Island

YACHTING IN THE BAHAMAS With an incredible choice of 700 islands and 2,400 cays, the Bahamas are a rich, varied and idyllic yachting destination. With warm gentle winds, white sand beaches set against turquoise waters and secluded anchorages, the Bahamas provide exceptional sailing and exciting island-hopping adventures. The colourful underwater world across this coral-based archipelago hosts a myriad of amazing opportunities for inspired scuba diving and snorkelling, not to mention a range of other aqua-based pursuits. Whether you are looking to explore the mesmerizing blue depths or enjoy the ‘catch of the day’ at a local beach café, this island-strewn archipelago will not disappoint. History enthusiasts, carnival-seekers or those in a quest for complete relaxation can be sure to find what they seek. Life is simply better when you are on island time.

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BAHAMAS

BIMINI ISLANDS A

collection of just two islands and a scattering of cays, the Bimini Islands sit 50 miles off Florida’s east coast, where the Gulfstream meets the wildlife-rich waters of the Bahamas Bank. Paddleboard or kayak around the cays, thick with mangroves, then jump in the creek at Healing Hole, complete with bubbling mineral-rich waters - reputed to have magically invigorating qualities. Courageous adventurers can take a dip with the local bull sharks in a dockside cage, or explore the Sapona shipwreck and Triangle Rocks - just a couple of the extraordinary local dive sites. The Wild Atlantic Spotted Dolphins that are resident in the turquoise waters year round are eager to engage with snorkelers visiting their patch. Whilst ashore, Alice Town hosts the unique Dolphin House which is made entirely from crushed coral and shells, as well as the pink-hued Bimini Museum. Insider Tip: Conch salad from Stuart’s on the waterfront is a deliciously spicy local dish and definitely not to be missed.

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GRAND BAHAMA R

enowned for stunning powder-white sand, northernmost Grand Bahama delivers world-class diving, snorkelling, kayaking and fishing. Exuding laid-back charm, Freeport bursts into life during frequent holiday festivals and local events. Culture abounds amidst proud heritage; walk in the footsteps of early inhabitants at Deadman’s Reef, still peppered with artefacts, and venture to Lucayan National Park to explore the massive caves favoured by ancient tribes. Visit Leo’s Art Gallery and the Garden of the Groves, featuring exquisite work by talented local artists. Beautiful beaches are ubiquitous, with Gold Rock Beach an important part of the protected mangrove ecosystem: low tide brings a spectacular view. Insider Tip: Port Lucaya Straw Market is a melting-pot of tradition where native artisans sell hand-crafted Bahamian products, most notably complex and beautiful straw plaits.

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BAHAMAS

ABACO ISLANDS D

elivering a remote experience, the 120-mile long chain of Abaco Islands give access to the shallow, navigable Abaco Sea and protected underwater areas. Great Abaco and Little Abaco are the main isles, while a thread of barrier islands afford separation from the Atlantic. Pelican Cays National Park offers swim-through caves teeming with silver baitfish amongst coral reefs, while Walker’s Cay National Park is home to exhilarating underwater life, such as eagle rays, sharks and turtles. Hope Town on Elbow Cay, with a candy-striped lighthouse and colonial architecture, nestles against popular coconutfringed Tahiti Beach, while the bright lights of more sophisticated Great Abaco and Marsh Harbour lure the jet-set crowd. Insider Tip: Fishing is popular in the Abacos, particularly bonefishing in Cherokee Sound and big game fishing on the Atlantic side.

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NASSAU C

apital Nassau, on hilly New Providence, is strewn with pastel-coloured colonial buildings, flanked by swathes of velvet beaches. Neighbouring Paradise Island is a vibrant hub of upscale boutiques and resort hotels, bursting with life and cultural experiences. Historic sites at Fort Fincastle and the Queens Staircase are well worth a visit, or if water-based activities are more your thing then visit Cable Beach for first-rate diving and up-close dolphin encounters. Whether enjoying the vibrant beach life, exploring the exciting underwater world or having a flutter in the casinos, you are sure to enjoy your time in Nassau. InsiderTip:On Paradise Island at the Atlantis Resort,join marine experts from the Blue Project Foundation to release new-born turtle hatchlings into the Bahamian waters.

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ANDROS ISLAND T

he largest of the islands, yet lightly developed, Andros is powerfully enigmatic. Home to the earth’s third largest barrier reef, the one-mile-deep abyss lined with coral, named ‘The Tongue of the Ocean’, is home to whales, dolphins and marlin. Strewn with underwater caves, inland blue holes, mangrove-lined wetlands and dreamy hidden beaches, the draw of Andros is palpable. The reef provides endless fascination for divers and snorkelers, birdwatchers flock seeking a glimpse of the rare Bahama Parrot and eco-travellers embrace nature’s intricate riches. Aside from adventuring, take a picnic ashore at Morgan’s Bluff, shop for wood carvings in Red Bay and buy Androsian fabrics in Fresh Creek. When relaxation beckons - the coconut tree hammocks at Stanyard Creek Beach are a top spot. Insider Tip: Take a guided ‘Backabush’ hiking tour, explore the ancient forest and learn about medicinal uses from local plants.

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ELEUTHERA & HARBOUR ISLAND A

dorned with 135+ pristine beaches, laid-back Eleuthera is 1 mile wide by 110 miles long and packed with exciting opportunities. Sample mouth-watering native cuisine in Spanish Wells - famed for harvesting Bahamian lobster. Take a guided tour amongst twisting underground passages lined by stalactites and stalagmites in the Hatchet Bay Cave system and ride the extraordinary reef break waves at Surfer’s Beach. Sophisticated and stylish, the celebrity hideaway of Harbour Island, often dubbed the ‘New St Barts’, features lovingly restored, colourful colonial houses and famous Pink Sands Beach. This is a textbook location for outstanding scuba diving and exclusive shoreside restaurants, amongst the dramatic landscape. Insider Tip: Adrenaline-seekers should head south to Cape Eleuthera’s inland blue hole for thrilling cliffdiving, whilst leisure-lovers can enjoy the chilled vibe offshore at picturesque Schooner Cays.

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THE EXUMAS G

reat Exuma and Little Exuma, along with a further 365 beautiful cays, comprise the exceptional Exumas - a celebrated yachting paradise complete with fabulous beaches, diving and reefs. Discover iguana-clad shores at the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, where diverse marine life thrives, or activity-seekers can catch some wind in this kitesurfing nirvana. Norman’s Cay, a charming coral atoll, offers wide powdery beaches and glittering turquoise water, while nearby Compass Cay is the area to swim with friendly nurse sharks. Thunderball Grotto at Staniel Cay delivers an incredible spot for snorkelling and diving with an intricate, sunlit underwater cave system, yet an entirely alternative experience awaits at Big Major Cay - where swimming with the local pigs is a featured event. Insider Tip: The shallow waters surrounding the southernmost cays are known as ‘Starfish Reserve’. With an abundance of these exotic creatures calling it home, you can get up and close and personal.

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