Exumas, It's Official!

[capttonyf]

Finally,,, I was able to sure up my dates and make reservations. I'll be heading with my family and another family on board our boat to the Exumas in mid June. There will be 9 of us total, 4 Adults, my two kids and our friends 3 kids. Our plan is to do a lot of relaxing with a little fishing and snorkeling mixed in. We're leaving Ft Lauderdale, Early Morning, June 15th to head to Atlantis for one night to clear customs, swim at the pools, and top off on fuel. Then we will be at Staniel Cay, June 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th. We will then be heading back to Atlantis from the 20th through 22nd. From there we're not sure. We then may head to either Harbor Island, or the Abaco's. After the 22nd/23rd our trip is up in the air and wide open. It'll depend on how the kids and the other family are doing with their cabin fever. Lol. Anyway, if anyone else is going to be in the area at the same time, let me know, and maybe we can catch up and meet for a drink.

Tony

 

[Pascal]

We were in Harbour island last week and frankly were disappointed. It's a cute little town but not much to do with a boat there, really only one anchorage. We stayed at Romora bay for two nights, nice marina. Quiter than valentines. We went by valentines, it was a zoo.

Devils back bone was no big deal, easy to read the water with good light. The Garmin blue chart app, and explorer charts, were spot on to mark the reefs.

For fuel in nassau, atlantis / hurricne hole is always busy and you end up having to wait in the current while across the harbor, harbor central (just west off Bay Street marina ) charges the same and has a nice long dock.

I don't clear in nassau anymore, it takes too long to get customs and immigration over to the boat... We always clear in cat cay, I'm usually in and out of the marina in 30 minutes. Coming from FTL, you may consider clearing in Great Harbor Cay. The marina is nice, cheap, and it's a beautiful spot, great beach and caves.

Since you re not supposed to leave the boat till clear I cant imagine what it would be like to convince a bunch of kids thy can't go to the pools at atlantis till cleared

In the Exumas, if you're just going to go straight to Staniel and not stop anywhere else, you re going to be missing the best of the Exumas. Stop at normans to snorkel the dc3, WArderick wells for the great sandbars, beaches and trails, compass cay for the bubble bath, Sharks and the caves. Another fun stop with kids woudl be the old Decca station at Pipe, kind of creepy but nice long dock and you can do a bonfire behind the boat on the little beach. Finally going another 30 miles south past Staniel all the way to Rudder is worth it, nice anchorage and snorkeling on the Mermaid and the piano is always fun. Better detour than the Abacos or even harbor island

We ve spent 8 or 9 weeks so far this year in the Exumas... Anchored off Lee Stocking right now.

 

[Mike36c]

We did the Exumas for the first time last year as part of our annual Bahama run, spent two weeks cruising from Highborne to Staniel then (at the admirals request) went up to Harbor Island for a week. We too stayed at Ramora Bay and while nice with swimming pools/restaurants and all we both agreed we should have stayed in the Exumas. Lots of really neat places to explore down there and we look forward to going back. As I'm sure you're reading (crime wise) prolly best to stay on the Atlanits side while at Nausea, I mean Nassau

 

[capttonyf]

We did the Exumas for the first time last year as part of our annual Bahama run, spent two weeks cruising from Highborne to Staniel then (at the admirals request) went up to Harbor Island for a week. We too stayed at Ramora Bay and while nice with swimming pools/restaurants and all we both agreed we should have stayed in the Exumas. Lots of really neat places to explore down there and we look forward to going back. As I'm sure you're reading (crime wise) prolly best to stay on the Atlanits side while at Nausea, I mean Nassau

That's why we want to stay on the Island side and is a big marina. just a little safer. I don't cross the bridge anymore unless I have to. As Pascal mentioned I may fuel over there but that's it.

Tony

 

[capttonyf]

We were in Harbour island last week and frankly were disappointed. It's a cute little town but not much to do with a boat there, really only one anchorage. We stayed at Romora bay for two nights, nice marina. Quiter than valentines. We went by valentines, it was a zoo.

Devils back bone was no big deal, easy to read the water with good light. The Garmin blue chart app, and explorer charts, were spot on to mark the reefs.

For fuel in nassau, atlantis / hurricne hole is always busy and you end up having to wait in the current while across the harbor, harbor central (just west off Bay Street marina ) charges the same and has a nice long dock.

I don't clear in nassau anymore, it takes too long to get customs and immigration over to the boat... We always clear in cat cay, I'm usually in and out of the marina in 30 minutes. Coming from FTL, you may consider clearing in Great Harbor Cay. The marina is nice, cheap, and it's a beautiful spot, great beach and caves.

Since you re not supposed to leave the boat till clear I cant imagine what it would be like to convince a bunch of kids thy can't go to the pools at atlantis till cleared

In the Exumas, if you're just going to go straight to Staniel and not stop anywhere else, you re going to be missing the best of the Exumas. Stop at normans to snorkel the dc3, WArderick wells for the great sandbars, beaches and trails, compass cay for the bubble bath, Sharks and the caves. Another fun stop with kids woudl be the old Decca station at Pipe, kind of creepy but nice long dock and you can do a bonfire behind the boat on the little beach. Finally going another 30 miles south past Staniel all the way to Rudder is worth it, nice anchorage and snorkeling on the Mermaid and the piano is always fun. Better detour than the Abacos or even harbor island

We ve spent 8 or 9 weeks so far this year in the Exumas... Anchored off Lee Stocking right now.

We are going to run the Bank to Highborne early and then fish the rest of the way down to Staniel. Each day we'll be heading out of the marina, either in the tender or in the Hatteras to fish, or explore. I plan to go to Compass and a few other places as well. I'll use the Hatteras if we go fishing but other then that I'll probably run around to the other stops you mentioned in the tender. The kids are really excited, they can't wait for school to end and get on the boat. You mentioned "Great Harbor", that's on the west side of the Berrys around the corner from Chub correct? I've heard it's nice there but I've never been. If it was up to me I'd stay in the Exumas the whole time but the kids want to go to the slides and pools at Atlantis for a couple days. Any other little suggestions you have that the kids will like would be appreciated. The kids are 4, 7, 8, 9, and 9. Three boys with two girls sandwich in between.

Tony

 

[Pascal]

Great harbor cay is one the northern most cays in the Berrys , accessed from the bank side. Nice place

Around Staniel, within tender distance, you also have "sandbar heaven", a maze of sandbars behind the now closed Samson Cay marina. Good safe swimming for kids, very unique. On the east side, along the beach there is a 20' diameter 6' deep hole in the sand, that's like a hot tub. If y cross the very narrow land, there is a nice ocean side beach with some good snorkeling.

Another good side trip is to go around the south side of Staniel and go up the creek to the airport. In the southernmost cove on Staniel, lies an small plane wreck in 6' of water. Been there for years but still recognizable as a piper Aztec.

One of our favorite spots in the area is little farmer cay, just 15 nm south of Staniel.ncheck out TYs Sunset grill on the beach. Great food, authentic bahamian, great folks. The beach is great. There is a recently beached Haitian migrant boat on the east side, along the runway.
Next to this, on Great Guana, by the oven rock, you have a short trail going across climbing up to a large cave with water. Bring a flashlight. Cool place y can even swim in there.

There is jsut so much to do and expkore in the Exumas... Been coming there for almost 10 years and we still find new spots.

Oh... Between o'brien and Little Halls pond (aka Johny Depp's island) is a nice small reef called the aquarium. Nice fish and corals. Nearby is a downed flipped over Cessna, although a little deep and enty of current.

I coudl go on and on...

 

[Dan Mapes]

A mooring at Cambridge, Hawksbill and Shroud is always a good idea if the weather is right and you have a dink.

We are Abacos fans, and have Wintered there 8 years. Elbow Cay is our fav, and central to many places. If coming up from the South stop in at Pete's Pub in Little Harbour and pick up a mooring for a nite or two. Take the dink into the shallows of the Bight of Old Robinson and check out the Blue Holes. Sea Spray has been good to us but the Hope Town Inn and Marina is also quite good. The food was better there this year.

 

[Diesel]

Sounds like a great trip ! So I also have a series II 45 , I am wondering where are all these kids going to sleep ?

 

[capttonyf]

Sounds like a great trip ! So I also have a series II 45 , I am wondering where are all these kids going to sleep ?

We have a queen size air mattress that fits perfectly in the "U" of the salon sofa and it's the perfect height of the sofa itself so it essentially becomes one big giant bed. I'm thinking this year though of removing the giant entertainment center above the Master Stateroom, under the brow and having a railing installed so you don't fall into the galley and have a custom made mattresses to fit up there. The TV and DVD/stereo will be mounted on a bracket braces off of the ledge above the galley. I've seen it once before in a boat and it was an ideal bed for kids. So next year they'll do that and the Sofa.

Tony

 

[capttonyf]

Going to be heading out toward Paridise Island, then the Exumas late Tuesday night, early Wednesday morning June 14th/15th. I know a few of you "Pascal" mentioned some ideas such as, a "Stop at normans to snorkel the DC3, Warderick Wells, for the great sandbars, beaches and trails, Compass Cay for the Bubble Bath, Sharks and the Caves. Another fun stop with kids woudl be the old Decca station". Obviously I know where these Islands are but does anyone have any Lat/Longs for things such as the DC3 or the Mermaid or anything else similar. Also an explanation of where on the Island the caves are, or Rachals Bubble Bath etc. Any help is greatly appreciated. Side note, we are going to primarily be staying at Staniel Cay and we will have our Tender.

Thanks

Tony

 

[capttonyf]

Great harbor cay is one the northern most cays in the Berrys , accessed from the bank side. Nice place

Around Staniel, within tender distance, you also have "sandbar heaven", a maze of sandbars behind the now closed Samson Cay marina. Good safe swimming for kids, very unique. On the east side, along the beach there is a 20' diameter 6' deep hole in the sand, that's like a hot tub. If y cross the very narrow land, there is a nice ocean side beach with some good snorkeling.

Another good side trip is to go around the south side of Staniel and go up the creek to the airport. In the southernmost cove on Staniel, lies an small plane wreck in 6' of water. Been there for years but still recognizable as a piper Aztec.


Oh... Between o'brien and Little Halls pond (aka Johny Depp's island) is a nice small reef called the aquarium. Nice fish and corals.

I coudl go on and on...

Where is "Sandbar Heaven"? I know where Sampson is and I've stayed there a few times years ago, but what do you mean by "Behind" the Marina? Also you mention on the east side to see the 6' hole. East side of Sampson? Also you mentioned the little reef between O'Brien's and Little Halls pond, do you have #'s and is it very tidal, do I need to go there at a slack low or high tide? Sorry for all the questions, like I said any help is very appreciated.

Lastly, is anyone going to be in the area that week?

Tony

 

[Pascal]

Sandbar heaven is literally behind Samson cay marina. It s the lagoon by the docks. You can get there from the with side after passing thru the narrow cut between big major and fowl cay

I don't have the lat and Lon handy for any of that but all you have to do is download garmin blue charts and then the active captain data. It s all in there and much more handy than typing Lat and Lon

Personally I wouldn't go anywhere without Active captain data on my phone or iPad. It s so much better than paper guides. Explorer charts have most of the good stuff though

 

[capttonyf]

Sandbar heaven is literally behind Samson cay marina. It s the lagoon by the docks. You can get there from the with side after passing thru the narrow cut between big major and fowl cay I don't have the lat and Lon handy for any of that but all you have to do is download garmin blue charts and then the active captain data. It s all in there and much more handy than typing Lat and Lon Personally I wouldn't go anywhere without Active captain data on my phone or iPad. It s so much better than paper guides. Explorer charts have most of the good stuff though

Thanks, I'll look at active captain and now that you described Sandbar Heaven I know exactly what you mean. I've been there. You can even walk to it if you walk around past the backside marina socks. There use to be an old house back there, not sure if it's still around or not but I'm anxious to find out. Thanks againTony

 

[capttonyf]

Well, we made it back from the Exumas the other day and I'm glad to mention the trip went perfectly as planned. Other then one clogged toilet 2/3 of the way through the trip the boat made it through without any other problems. Even that, I don't think it was the heads fault as much as one of the 5 kids fault. We had a great time, visited two plane wrecks, Thunderball Grotta, a few dozen sandbars, among many other things, and even caught some fresh Tuna. No Mahi Mahi but Tuna Fish are better then No Fish.

We were planning to do a Disney World trip next spring for our family vacation but that maybe changing now. I asked the kids for next year would you want to still go to Disney World or would you rather come back to the Exumas? Without any Hesitation they Enthusiastically said,,, Dad, we want to come back to the Exumas, we love it hear. My daughter who is 7 liked the Pigs, playing on the Sandbars and looking for Shells and Sand Dollars, but my 9 year old Son Loved all of it. He was snorkeling for what seemed like forever over the wrecks and in Thunderball Grotta. I had to pry him away to get him out of the water. He was up first thing every morning with a plan. He's like we can fish until Noon, then the tide will be slacking near low and we can go here, then when the tide comes in we can do this and that, he was funny, he had it all planned out. He told me he already can't wait until next year and we just got back. The other family that traveled with us also had a great time and said they would love to go back as well. So to say the trip went well in an understatement.

This is what I love about boating. You look at the expense, and time it takes to keep and maintain these boats. All for the little time I get to use it at this point in my life because of kids, and school/sports schedules etc, but trips like this make it all worth while and then some. Seeing the enjoyment and fun my kids had on this trip I'll never forget. The memories that they'll have from trips like this I hope will make them strive to work hard and be able to continue to do these things one day when they have families. When we were on our own private beach/sandbar in the middle of nowhere I sat the kids down. I told them to look around and appreciate this opportunity and to cherish it. Granted they're young, mine are 7 an 9 but the other 3 kids with us were 4, 8, 9. But even though they're young and might not fully get it, I still I thought it was important for them to sit and think about what they were experiencing. I explained that fewer then 1% or the worlds population will ever get to see and do what your doing on this trip, so be humbled by it, and don't take it for granted. I think they all understood what I meant and really took it in. I know this trip created memories for all of them that they will remember forever. To me that's what boating is about, and all the expanse and worry a boat brings with it is totally outweighed by the memories created and the pure joy on the kids faces. They truly loved it and my son said Disney World doesn't even come close. This made me very very happy and proud to see that they valued pure beauty, and simple fun over a big commercial park. I like the way the values of my children are shaping out, and I have in part, a Hatteras Yacht to thank for it.

Tony

 

[Pascal]

Glad you had a great time... Disney a stupidly expensive anyway even compared to boating

Plus there's so much to do in the Exumas that you explore different places next time. Go a little further and include the cave on Great Guana by oven rock and the piano at Rudder

 

[capttonyf]

Glad you had a great time... Disney a stupidly expensive anyway even compared to boating

Plus there's so much to do in the Exumas that you explore different places next time. Go a little further and include the cave on Great Guana by oven rock and the piano at Rudder

Thanks, I will definitely try new additional places next time. We ran around a lot and still there was so much more we wanted to see.

Tony

 

[Pascal]

We ve been going multiple times a year for 8 years... And still find new spots worth going too!,,

 

[bigbill]

any pictures??

 

[capttonyf]

any pictures??

I do in Multiple different places, phone, camera, GoPro etc. I'll try to get them together and post some shortly.

Tony

 

[capttonyf]

Exuma Pictures