Bahamas sailing - an unique experience
The Bahamas is known as one of the top destinations for sailors in the Caribbean. Not far from the eastern coast of Florida in the U.S., these beautiful islands are easy to reach. The Bahamas is also considered to be one of the top places for inexperienced sailors. They are both close to the U.S. mainland, and full of plenty of ports and easy-to-find sites. And, of course, the ocean in The Bahamas is nearly always sunny and warm. Vacationers looking to sail themselves into a Bahamian port should be aware of several requirements. Sailors must clear Customs and Immigration in a Port of Entry. The two major ports are, of course, Freeport and Nassau. When entering the port, fly a yellow quarantine flag and notify Customs. Only the captain may leave the boat until Customs has been cleared. Travelers should also be aware of entry fees in The Bahamas. Boats up to 35 feet long will be charged a $150(USD) entry fee, while boats over 35 feet will pay $300(USD). These fees include a cruising permit, fishing permit, and departure tax for up to four people with no overtime charges for Customs or Immigration. An additional departure tax is charged for more than four passengers. Once you have been cleared, lower the quarantine flag and raise your cruising pennant. Business hours for Bahamas Customs and Immigration Officers are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is no overtime charge, and officers are on call during holidays and weekends. Before you set sail, be aware of some of the Caribbean's most important safety issues. Sailors need to be aware of coral reefs, especially around islands, and watch for unfavorable Trade Winds. You'll also need to consider ocean currents, stronger in the Atlantic than the Caribbean. Since The Bahamas is not officially a Caribbean chain, they are all located in the Atlantic. Sailors will usually find the strongest currents and largest waves on the northern and eastern sides of the islands. Don't forget the season - Caribbean high season overlaps with the winter sailing season, and travelers will find higher prices throughout the islands of The Bahamas. However, hurricane season and summer rains also overlap, and may be avoided by less experienced sailors.
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Bahamas Vacations site
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