You want to plan a trip in the Bahamas, sailing the pirate's routes to explore the bays and islands they called home. It goes without saying, that a certain experience is required to captain your own boat. However, other great options are also available if you feel your sailing resume may not be ready for a bare boat adventure. For one, you can rent a sailboat with captain and crew. You will be learning the finer points of sailing, while discovering the islands in a safe and controlled environment. Or, if you're looking for a guide to show you round the Exumas, you can join a flotilla of several boats that is headed by a lead captain. Whichever option you choose, the experience is guaranteed to be unforgettable.
http://www.bahamas-tourisme.fr/a-propos-des-liles/exumas/
When I am planning a charter, I start by determining the activities the group wants to do. Scuba diving, fishing, sailing, sun bathing, hiking, ect. From this list I start looking at locations that will permit us to achieve there requests. Remember, you can't please everyone all the time. It is a balancing act, which combines travel, activities and oh Mother nature.... Finally all plans are always depending on the weather. So und er sell and over achieve! Snokling is easier, quicker and can be done by the whole crew at the same time. Try to focus on activities that include everyone, rather than activities like scuba diving, kitting or wind surfing, which require alot of equipment and time to enjoy. What do you do with the rest of the crew when two members are gone diving for most of the afternoon, oh with your dinghy!!! Well reading is always an oppition. Departure date arrives, YAHOO!!
( You can see my link on the side bar for a suggested one or two week sailing plan. )
Upon arriving at your charter base, you will meet the customer service reprehensive. They will guide to your boat and help you get settled. Remember that Saturday is a very busy day, with customers coming and going. I suggest you settle in to your boat and save the list of questions till a little later. Get your crew to place there personal item in there rooms and take a moment to relax in the cockpit with a cold beer or rum punch. This will give you the time to discover your boat, prepare a few questions and decide who will do the groceries, wine provisions, ect... Your reprehensive will comes back around to see to all your needs, this is question time. I suggest you send two or three crew to do the provisions and a couple to buy the beer and wine. The captain then is free to spend an hour with the rep, reviewing the boats operations. Upon the return of your crew, you can now help to store the food and enjoy the time together; you are almost ready to go. You may have notice that I haven't reviewed the menu for the week. Well this is simple, the grocery stores, wine and beers outlets, resemble the ones at home so it will be very comfortable to do your provisions. We do most of our provisions at City Market; they offer a good selection of dried goods, fresh veggies and meats. Don't over look the frozen food section, many of your items can be found, already frozen. Avoid any frozen chicken that is square in shape, it has unfrozen and refrozen at least once and who knows for how long.
You will find the prices, on certain items higher than home. I suggest comparing prices and brands; the costs can be quite different. You can always start with the fish market at Potters Cay, an exciting local market. The fisherman set up early each morning, with there fresh catch. Great deals can found, wonderful fish and shell fish.TIPS ON THE GROCERIE SHOPPING.
CHILDREN ABOARD
All boats have life vest but they are sized for adults. You must bring floatation devises, sized for your children with you! Also before leaving, insure that you have life lines on board for each child . I have two children and one on the way. They have sailed since they where infants and still enjoy the sport today. Children can't keep still for hours and hours so I have always set them up with a comfortable sized life jacket and a short life line. This permits them to move around safely and removes the stress that they may fall overboard. The rule onboard my boat is the following, when a child comes on deck they must have a life vest on and when on route we add the life line. This young sailor is two and half years old and loved his 14 day trip around the Exumas. as you can see, he is very comfortable and safe in his personal sailing gear. Remember to bring games and toys that are boat friendly. Beach time every day is always an important part of the activities, kids have to run around. Also think protective clothing, sun, wind, cold, affect there small bodies quickly. Children don't notice the affects the environment has on them until it's to late, SO BE PROACTIVE. I always keep a drinking bottle of juc on deck for the little ones, dehydration happens quickly in children.
EXUMAS CROSSING
The morning starts early, surely at sunrise, with the final preparations for departure. A healthy breakfast is a good idea, the crossing will take about six hours. The final check list as follows, fuel, gas for dinghy, top water tanks, safety gear, review boat equipment, secure the galley and food for the trip. The charter rep will assist you in leaving the dock and way you go, with the fleet to the Exumas. The lead boat will guide out of the harbor and past Atoll to Porgy rock waypoint. There is a few sand banks and coral heads, so follow the lead captain’s directions. From Porgy rock waypoint, it 29km to Highborn cay. Follow the maps preferred route, 136 degrees will take to Highborn Stake. A few hours out of Nassau you will be approaching the coral heads, marking the beginning of Yellow Bank. For the next five miles there is large coral heads and they must be avoided. This is far from as bad as it seems, the coral head stand out as large black masses on the crystal clear ocean. They are a few 100 yards apart and sometimes in small groups of three. I have a crew member posted at the bow, there responsible to point to any coral heads, directly in front of our path. The captain simply steers around the obstacle. Yes it is as simple as that... A few other details include, try to arrive at Yellow bank late morning. The higher the sun is in the sky, the clearer the water will be, also dull and cloudy days make the spotters job a little tougher. The Bahamas is VNA (Visual navigation area) maps are good, cart plotter great but visual navigation is a must. My next trip to the Exumas I will take some pictures from top of the mast, this will give a good example of what I am describing. When on Yellow bank you will see many small coral heads, about 12 inches to 30 inches in diameter. These are small and safe to sail over. The lead captain will guide you threw and you will see it is simple. Two more hours on the sand bank and Highborn cay will be upon you.
The first thing you will see, when your about five miles out is the radio tower. You will anchor off the beach, to the north of the tower. There is a large coral reef, starting at the north point of the island and coming west for about a mile before hooking south. Yes please go around it! As a rule most approaches to anchorages in the Exumas are from the south west. To the north is Alan’s Cay and to south Normans Cay. Further south you will find Shroud Cay and Hawksbill Cay. The next Cay worth a stop is Warwick wells, the marine park base. You will spend your week exploring these beautiful Cays and before you know, it's time to head back to Nassau base. Friday morning the heading is North West, Nassau bond. The ride home is usually a little quicker, because of your wind direction. You can count on a broad reach for the return trip. I like to get on the way early. An early start gets you back in Nassau for 14:00, this give you all afternoon to visit Nassau, Atlantis, straw markets and the duty free stores. 
A final supper on board or if you are looking for something a little different and local in taste, Fish Fry is a must. Great local cuisine and atmosphere.
The Wrap up
Saturday morning is packing and cleaning. Try to leave your boat as sharp as you received it, clean decks, heads and galley. If you sailed with a captain and crew, it is customary to leave a thank you tip. These sailors work seven days a week, 24 hours a day, to insure you have an exciting and safe trip.
Speak to the base rep to organize a taxi, he will order one in advance for you.
You should be at the airport two hours before your flight, so leave the marina about three hours before flying time. Say your goodbyes and we will see you next year.
You can also write me at my contact information. Hope you enjoyed the blog and I hope to share more shortly.
