spent 15 years sailing the bahamas and exumas was the best place for easy and beautiful beach and snorkling time. a bit crowded these days for me but never less than exciting for first timers and maybe even us old salts. excellent presentation.
Superb video. I've actually ave been waiting for someone to show a video of this kind. I plan to do a similar trip next year, except, on my own monohaul sailboat, though not in 7 days, but months, as I'll go through the Bahamas on my way to the Caribbean and Aruba for retirement. Never had the time and money to charter, but rather decided to save the money and time for when I no longer work full time, and go through each island, and re-registering my boat in the BVI. As for pigs, I grew up in the pig farm, so it'll be a nice memory lane trip. Thank you.
Loved the video. I’m the exumas now on our charter. It really helped us establish our itinerary. Unlike the BVI’s the islands are a little further apart so for those of us in slower boats (it was five hours from Nassau to Highbourne) an option is to start in Nassau and end the charter in staniel cay and fly out of there. Sorry to hear about ur boat. Don’t give up. I’m sure u will be out there soon. You have a whole community of friends online cheering u on. Cheers 🍾
Just found your channel, I subbed and liked. I got more info from this one video then any other cruising channel on the Bahamas. Excellent video. I have a Grand Banks 42 and am planning a long Bahamas trip in Jan 2023. But until then I am planning on a charter just like the one you are on in this video.
such GREAT video, thank you so much for making this. very informative! We just got a catamaran through Dream Yatch and its chartering based at Nassau. my family is going to there to see our boat for the first time next months and do a 7 day sailing tripe. So I was looking for exactly something like this
I want to live your boating life! Well done video and very informative!!! Hope to explore the Exumas in the near future. You just gave me more of a reason too!
You said ask questions so here you go: What size boat did you rent? How many people was in your party? How do you get food, beer and supplies onboard? Do you need a captains license to charter the boat on your own? Paddle board or kayak included? I need info man!! LOL!!! Thanks!!!
@thewanderinghillbilly it's one of my top goals, to sail the bahamas. Videos like yours help keep that inspiration going. Great to see people living their best life and sharing it with the rest of us. Keep enjoying life and I'll keep watching. One day I'll be there to buy you a drink in Norman's cay.
Great video as always! We corresponded about the BVI, and thought I would hit you up here with an Exumas question. I'm taking my wife and two other couples in late October for her birthday. We are worried about possible hurricanes, but gonna take the chance anyway. My group is big on snorkeling/diving. Didn't see much of that in your videos, but I've heard that the snorkeling in the Exumas is better than the BVI. Would love to get your take. Thanks!
Hello! This was a great video, thanks. Question for you - we would to use this itinerary as a guide.Here's a trick. we are sharing a cat with my cousin and her family. They have to head back home a day before us (so they are doing 6 nights) and we can do 7. Does it make sense to head all the way back up to Nassau to drop them off and then head back out to do one more night on the boat? I was not sure how far away all the islands were and if this was worth to spend one more night out on the boat after dropping them off. I believe we have to drop off the boat by 10:00am. Maybe we drop of our cousins on the 6th day and then we head back out to the closest island, stay the 7th night and then book it back early in the am, in time to drop off our boat by 10:00am. Thoughts? Thanks for your advice!
Alan, Great information on the Exumas. I have charter a power cat in the BVI 2018, loved it. Now we are chartering a Moorings 43 in Bahamas, Exumas trip rescheduled May 3rd to the 8th only 5 days. Crew will be my wife, friends and their two teenage children. Any must do . Thanks Chris
Great video, we’re scheduled for a 7 day trip in January. Damn you have me pumped. Very informative video, I always carry a fly rod… did you run across many bonefish. Probably a dumb question,,,, lots of beautiful flats. Thanks again 👍🏼
I agree with all your stops! This was the BEST trip of my life. Did the nurse shark visit y’all at Waderick? I wanted to be left behind on any of those islands 🥰 next trip is Thailand 🇹🇭 for us! Then BVI after that one 😎 Love your videos so much! Take me back!!!!
Alan, Great information on the Exumas. I have charter a power cat in the BVI 2018, loved it. Now we are chartering a Moorings 43 in Bahamas, Exumas in February 14th-21st 2022. Crew will be my wife, friends and their two teenage children. Any must do with teenagers while we are there. Thanks Chris
Great video. We're planning our power cat trip from Nassau to Exuma Feb 2024. See some bad reviews about Moorings. Any updated info you've heard about? Appreciate any good tips you may have.
That company always struggles in the Bahamas. However, it was FAR better the last time I chartered there...about 2 years ago. I recommend you look that boat over multiple times before you shove off! thanks for watching.
Boo Boo Hill name derives from a Missionary Ship that went aground on a reef below in bad stormy weather . The sailing ship sank with all souls aboard. Thus this area is known to be haunted a mariners
Love the videos Alan, with a bit of envy. Planning now for a charter in either BVI or Exumas next year. What would you say is the best time of year to go for either spot - best in terms of weather, wind, temp, crowds, etc. Thanks and keep the vids coming.
Good question! I’m gonna use this question!! Exumas…least crowed Jan thru March. However weather isn’t ideal and water temp is low 80s and upper 70s. April thru June is best weather but very crowded. BVI…anytime from Jan thru July is great. Good weather and warm water. Gets dicey from august to November cause of hurricane season. Hope that helps!
@@thewanderinghillbilly Thanks for the response, Alan, that's a big help. I think I'll go with the better weather in spite of the crowds. Your videos have been a great help in planning our itinerary. Thanks again!!
Love the idea of the Exumas…..just curious… are there places we can stop every day to eat 😃 we don’t want to cook 😉 Any tips wd be greatly appreciated ♥️
Love love you videos.....writing this now as we are in Scrub Island in the BVIs (Moorings 52 foot monohull) planning our November Exumas trip...Moorings Power cat charter for the Exumas....but we will be there for 14 days.....any suggestions on what the best places to hit further south as we have an extra week....- John & Julie
No captain's license or other formal certification is required from either Moorings or Marine Max. You have to fill out a captain's resume to "prove" that you have sufficient experience, but I've never heard of anyone being denied. If you're new to chartering I recommend going to the BVI's first: It's almost idiot-proof (almost).
Hi Great video, I went to the exumas last year by plane loved it. My wife and I want to go back chartering a boat from Nassau. What size swells would you expect in a typical crossing from Nassau to Exuma's? Is it safe enough to take young children across? Or is the weather quite unpredictable. We are planning to go in late April next year. Thanks in advanced
Good video, thank you. You make it sound as if you are captain of the boat.... Is this true or did you have a captain to all the boating as part of charter costs?
Can you provide a link to where I can rent a 7 day charter to do this trip? Its a dream trip on my list for 3 years now and I think its safe to go finally, less restriction for unvaccinated people.
Great video, heading to the exumas at the end of the month.. I think we are going to make the long run south first day and then slowly work our way back north.. I wanted to get your opinion on that? Seems like we should just make for Staniel Cay? Is that a good starting point?Or would you recommend something different.
That’s a perfect starting point! All depends on weather. Don’t make your passengers sick if it’s bumpy…not worth the run if they all hate you at the finish! Lol. But yea, that works well.
What’s the approximate total cost for charter, slips, dining, provisions etc for the week for a family of five? This looks like the perfect getaway vacation but would love to know a ballpark figure.
That’s difficult to answer. So many variables. Do you want more room or are you willing to bunk up with others? Do you wanna cook all your meals or eat out every time? Are you sailing or power boating? Sailing…cooking all meals…and penny pinching…6k. Power, eating out….and “going for it”….23k. Somewhere in between
Hi Alan, I am trying to book a chapter for April 22. After I watched your video on the Exumas this is our first choise, unfortunately the boad options for those days are not as good out of Nassau. The gentlement that is assisting us with the booking is providing additional options but is in the Abacos our of Marsh marina. Since this is kind of far away from the Exumas the option is to stay in the Abacos. Is there a big difference on the experience between the Exumas and the Abacos? Do you have a video about the Abacos or a suggested itinerary. Thank you so much for any information you can provide, this is appreciated.
I have never been to the Abacos unfortunately so I can’t comment or suggest. I’ve done a a ton of research and have spoken to folks who’ve been and it’s a fabulous experience. Not as many islands to visit as Exumas so that’s a bummer. There is a pig beach! I frankly LOVE the Exumas and would probably always choose them over the Abacos. Sorry know that doesn’t really help but that’s my 2 cents. Thanks for watching the channel!!!!
Chartering an Aquila 44 in November in the Exumas. Do most of the restaurants take credit card or should we bring a decent amount of cash? Thanks. Love the videos.
I wasn’t aware they had Aquila’s! Good to know. I was able to use a credit card pretty much everywhere I went. Exceptions are for mooring balls, sole of the smaller grocery stores and some water activities. No Amex tho. They don’t like that in the Exumas! Lol. Have a great trip!!!
@@thewanderinghillbilly Well 2 days before I'm supposed to leave and Dream Yacht Charter has emailed me (didn't bother to call) to let me know the boat is damaged and they are cancelling the charter. Disappointed doesn't begin to describe it. I'm pretty sure this is your busy season and you may not get this in time but I don't suppose you know anyone else that charters in The Bahamas besides Moorings and Marine Max? They are of course booked up.
