Skip Gundlach wrote:

Bahamas Checkin?

Hi, y'all,

Well, the best laid plans, etc. We're not going to the Keys, after
all. Instead, we'll cross to from Miami to the Bahamas later this
week, assuming the weather holds.

We'd love to have the least-hassled, simplest, checkin possible - and
since we don't have to go ashore, nor pick anyone up, for a while,
anywhere in the north end of the bahamas would work, essentially.

We've always checked in at Bimini and I have been informed that the
harbor entrance has been dredged -- we have always gone in at high or
rising tide and around noon for best visibility. We usually leave
from around Rodriguez Key so that we can go with the Gulf Stream and
not against it - leaving and crossing at night and only on a south
wind - no north winds. We usually go into Sea Crest marina which is
right next to the mail boat dock. It is more expensive than some of
the marinas on the other side, but has more water in it. Although you
can anchor, the bottom was scoured when we were there and people had
trouble with the holding.


So, who's been there, done that, that can say which to avoid, and
which to favor, as well as how to get the longest visa? And, of

I do not know what current requirements are, but some places require
that you come to a dock to check in, and they used to charge $25 for
the docking just for the check-in. (Cat and maybe Chub) It also was
at one time that you could only get an extended cruising permit in
Nassau in person. Don't know if that is still true - things change
all the time. The person I talked to had checked in elsewhere and
been given a short term permit and came to Nassau to get an extension.

Do NOT try to check in in Nassau - you will have to wait on your boat
for the officers and they are busy with cruise ships, so it may be
awhile before they get to you.

I have not checked in to West End but that is possible although I have
left from there. It is VERY isolated and I found it expensive.. Some
people go all the way to Andros to check in as there is no dock there
so they can't require you to come in to one. But that requires that
you cross the banks first and it will take a couple of days. I always
felt uncomfortable taking that long before check-in.

course, any advice would be appreciated on low-budget entertainment
and low-level diving or snorkeling. We'll not dock other than to take
on fuel and water, and unlikely we'll moor, either, unless safety or
inevitability intervene. We have a hookah rig which we'll use at 1
atm or less. From the north end we'll head south after the new year
to the Exumas, so suggestions are welcomed for activity (sightseeing,
"don't miss" places, fishing and shallow diving, etc.) in that area as
well.

As I may not have access to this, please cc me directly on any
response? Thanks. (skipgundlach atsign gmail dotsign com)

L8R

Skip, Lydia and crew Portia the seagoing cat and Lydia's 83 yo mother,
back for her second cruise with us.