bahamas, bimini and freeport

[motoryacht lover]

I am planning our annual 2 week family cruise and since we have to be out of Florida by the end of June I was thinking I could cruise the bahamas for a little bit and then cross back to FL and head up the coast to Brunswick, GA. Originally thought about the keys but I think I will be running the boat more than stopping and enjoying things so as to be out of FL. I have heard there is nothing in Bimini and there is trash all over the place. Is that a fair assesment. What marina would you stay at in Bimini? and I like to take the dinghy and explore. Are there any cays in dinghy distance. Lastly could you give me the same type info for Freeport. I draw 5 feet and cruising with a wife and 2 daughters (shopping anyone). The boat is currently in Stuart. Also tell me about the crime situation. thanks for your time.

 

[rsmith]

Out of stuart I would go to west end GBI is nicer and its only 60 mi If you go to Bimini you have to fight the G Stream to get there. Freeport if not far from West end and the Chanels to get into these two are straight forward and don't require a lot of Island Navigation skills. Freeport is a tourist cruise ship area with shopping and casinos west end is quiet and laid back. The best cruising is the northern Abacos Spanish cay Green Turtle Man O War Treasure and Marsh Harbor. Most of the cruising is inside in protected waters and the navigation is fairly easy. That would be my choice.

 

[motoryacht lover]

Rsmith thanks for the info. I would prefer to cruise the Abacos but am concerned about crossing Little Bahama Bank. I could go south through NW Providence Channel but it seems like I will be very dependent on the weather and then once I get to the Abacos I will be that much further from FL. My main concern is that the further west I go the more chance that I could get "trapped" and not make it out of FL by the end of June. Resulting in not having insurance. Also, I was going to first go to Miami or Key Largo then cross to Bimini. Thanks again for your help.

 

[Pascal]

if you only have two weeks from stuart incl. the run down to So Fl, then Bimini is probably your best bet, otherwise from Stuart the northen bahamas are a better option.

bimini is indeed in a sad state, I'm there right now, waiting for weather to cross back to Miami. crime / security isnt' an issue here it's just that there are no restaurants or anything except for Bimini Bay, the new resort marina. If you want something resort like, that's your best bet ($3 a ft)

if you want "local" then the alice town marinas (i'm at sea crest) are fine, about $1 a ft. i havent' been to bimini sands on south Bimini, mario has and he likes it there.

there arent' too many places to go in bimini though, the two primary day trip runs are to the wreck of the Sapona, about 2 miles south, VERY nice snorkel, and honeymoon harbor on Gun cay, about 10 miles south. great day anchorage.

in calm weather you can anchor off the NW beach off bimini, pretty nice, but rolly in winter.

June is a great time for the bahamas with calmer weather.

jsut 75NM from Bimini are the Berrys. I like the berrys, very laid back, good gunkholing. chub Cay a tthe south end is a little pricey, Great Harbor at the north is more rustic but nice and cheaper. in between a a few GREAT anchorages, like Hoffman and White Cays.

if you have time, you could do Miami - bimini, spend a couple of days there, then cross to Chub. work you way along the berrys to Great Harbor, and then run NW across to Stuart. 10 days woudl be a good time frame to do this from Miami and back to Stuart. it's probably about 250NM trip altogether 9plus the stuart-Miami run.

the berrys are often overlooked, I like them. weather wise you shoudln't have any problem in June, (fronts are gone by then), only minor concern are tropical system but they're rare in june.

 

[DeeRow]

Get a copy of Steven Dodge's "Cruising Guide to the Abacos" It has information about all the islands. It is updated annually and has waypoints and routes.

Where in Stuart are you?

The Abacos do not have many "shopping meccas". Port Lucaya about 30nm sw from west end and is more populated than most places in the Abacos. With population comes crime, trash, etc that doesn't exist in the out islands.

You take your time. Go to the Abacos for three weeks and get the island feel. Then head for Georgia.

Below is an overview of my typical trip. I typically run about 18kts and I have done this trip in as little as 5 days which is too fast. You need more time to get to the Hopetown/Marsh Harbor area which is the heart of the Abacos.

 

[motoryacht lover]

I sincerely appreciate all of you alls help. I am currently at A&J Boatworks in Manatee Pocket. You guys are making me feel better about the weather, thus sea state that is typical for the month of June. Dee Row your picture shows you going across Little Bahama Bank. Is that tricky and how much depth do you have. One quide shows going south of Great Sale and one and you show going north of Great Sale. Thanks again

 

[rsmith]

weather isnt a problem til the end of July and the little b bank is easy to navigate the Abacos are a lot calmer and more protected than the southern Islands for the novice cruiser

 

[fixin-to-cruise]

North Bimini has lost a lot of character and is suffering a bit since Chalk's seaplane service stopped, the Compleat Angler burned down and the Big Game Club went bankrupt and closed again. I was there a few weeks ago. We cleared customs by rafting to a small freighter at the customs dock and then anchored out in the harbor in the anchorage just northeast of Big Game. N Bimini is a little rough but still interesting for a day trip. I was told that Guy Harvey the fish illustrator is buying the Big Game Club and it should reopen soon.

I heard that South Bimini has good rates on dockage (at the Sands maybe?) and is in good shape. They have a bar/restaurant hangout nearby that was recommended too. It's a short tender ride to N Bimini and you can tie the tender at the customs pier. Honeymoon Harbor to the south is a 4 mile dinghy trip. Sounds like the best marina option.

If you can make it to Atlants in Nassau that's a great place to be on a boat for a couple of days. We went to the Berrys- Great Harbor and Great Stirrup. In general they are feeling the economic slowdown too except for the Cruise Lines that use the north Berrys.

 

[pmurphy]

Your 5 ft draft is no problem over the bank. Take DeeRow's float plan and enjoy your self. Maybe skip Walkers, Grand, and Double Breasted if it's your first time. Hit the popular stops (Old Bahama Bay at West End, Spanish Cay, Green Turtle, Nippers at Great Guana, Man of War and Hopetown for a little shopping) and your family will love you. Easily doable in two weeks. Anchor out at Allens Pensacola if you feel adventurous.

 

[MarioG]

IMO, there's nothing wrong with Bimini. Bimini is less "touristy" than Nassau freeport ,GB. Bimini is very laid back with few shopping /tourist traps but is big on fishing and diving with a few really good resorts in N. Bimini. I prefer S. Bimini especially at Bimini Sands. this place is relatively cheap, new, first class place with floating docks, pool and protected from weather. I have seen yachts up to 80' in there. Bimini Sands is NOT "high brow" like Bimini Bay. Theres a great restaruant close by at Bimini beach club, Mackies bar is awesome.

Bimini is great for a place to REALLY lay back and take it easy. this place is not like the bigger casino islands. I did not see garbage every where when I was there last summer. I'll be there in June, July and August.

have fun.

 

[Angela]

I'll be there in June, July and August.

have fun.

Remember, we're going to go over there with you with Sanctuary! Can't wait!

 

[MarioG]

Remember, we're going to go over there with you with Sanctuary! Can't wait!

Yessssss!

 

[jim rosenthal]

You guys are making me jealous. VERY jealous....

 

[Pascal]

here you go Jim... hope you feel better after watching this

http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=1401502204892&ref=mf