We used him for import permits for two dogs just a couple of weeks ago and he was awesome. These experiences are best for boat rentals in Bahamas: Bahama Kayak Full Day Water Sports Package at Junkanoo Beach; Jet ski rentals in the nice blue waters of the Bahamas; Full day water sports Junkanoo Beach, Nassau Bahamas. ADVERTISEMENT. Great info! I’m single, sailing solo, so I eat out a bit more than you guys, I also tend to stay in marinas about 50% and anchor out about 50%. The Bahamas has plenty to explore. Along the way, we sold pretty much everything we owned (twice! A 1981 8.5 meter (28') S2 with shoal draft of 3'10". . Back in 1986 when we began dating, the most adventurous thing we had done together on the water was sailing on the Hudson River in Wet Feet, my leaky 13-foot wooden dinghy. The amount of self-sufficiency required continues to grow the farther you travel from the United States. This does not include: Boat cost (because we’ve already covered that), service or repairs because we didn’t do any here. It’s always best to send by FedEx, UPS or DHL. The 45 gallons of fuel is a bit light but will get you to the Bahamas without needing to tank up. Flexible cancellation or replacement, up until 15 days before check-in on selected boats. Board the luxurious sailing schooner Liberty Clipper in Nassau for a 7-day roundtrip cruise of the Bahamas, then explore the extensive Exumas archipelago and the Out Islands, including Eleuthera. There may be requirements that I don’t know about for other combinations. NOTE: This list assumes a US boat, US citizens, coming from the US and going directly to the Bahamas. Towers4Boats is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Can you enhance our understanding of what we can or CANNOT bring with us? Well, in a word, YES! We uploaded the permit application on Monday and received the approved permit back on Thursday of the same week! preparing to cruise • overcoming problems. This sea state is exceptionally hazardous for any small vessel. Thank you again Carolyn. But in 2020, they're stuck at sea because of the Covid-19 pandemic. We will never sell your email or send spam. Check out this post which is one of the most popular of all time. When planning their trip to the area, many sailor enthusiasts like to plan […] After enjoying the Berries, we crossed the Tongue of the Ocean to Nassau and stopped there for a couple of small repairs and re-provisioning. Two years ago, I bought a Boston Whaler to fish off the coast. Read this article to learn the answer. Cat Cay (all cays in the Bahamas are pronounced “key”) is an easy port of entry and neighboring Gun Cay is a nice place to relax for a few nights before heading across the Great Bahama Bank. The cost for the cruising permit depends on the length of your boat. We used the Bahamas Pet Import website with fantastic results. Facebook pages are available for those traveling with jet boats, jet skis, and small fishing boats to cross together. You will have to show your passports and the boat’s documentation or registration. The official Bahamas website do not mention any restirctions: https://www.bahamas.com/faq/enteringexiting-policies. You may find it is cooler in the early mornings and again in the evenings, so you may find a light jacket or cover make… Tantalisingly close, the Bimini islands are only 50 miles from the Florida coast; West End in Freeport only a little farther with the added benefit of being on the doorstep of the Abacos, one of the best cruising grounds in the Bahamas. I believe that’s the case. tips, reviews and how-to's for your liveaboard cruising, Published on February 19, 2018; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock. If you look at the islands on a map, they stretch for several hundred miles from north to south. The main cities and ports in The Bahamas are Nassau, on New Providence Island, and Freeport, on Grand Bahama Island. • Popular articles you may have missed A cruising permit is required for all foreign private, non-commercial, pleasure boats (and occupants) to sail in Bahamian waters. You will be rewarded with friendly, welcoming people, fantastic swimming and diving, outstanding fishing, and amazing sunsets. Just $39. Twin-engine boats are much more comfortable, since if something fails they can return home. [More] Don’t Save the Best for Last. Fuel becomes less available, and the distances between ports increase. Be sure to take your immigration card with you to the airport when you fly out — you’ll have to turn it in at the airport. With two islands (Bimini & Grand Bahamas) only 50 miles from Florida’s east coast, it is possible for even a modest sized boat under 30 feet, to cruise or sail to the Bahamas. Seasickness Remedies That Work Fast | Top 13 Strategies. Ten years ago I bought my first boat. I have no idea on the requirements for Canadians. The island’s proximity to the US means that it is more developed and lively than the other Out Islands. https://boattheglobe.com/sailing-in/caribbean/bahamas/sailing-in-the-bahamas Fishing adventures, sailing the turquoise seas, finding your own private island, celebrating something special, or simply spending quality time together; when it comes to boat charters in The Bahamas, the sky—or should we say the sea—is the limit! Want more information about going to the Bahamas? Your email address will not be published. You can mail the immigration cards if you don’t officially check out (and many people forget to mail them and it doesn’t seem to hurt anything). Once you have completed the formalities, you can douse the Q flag and raise the Bahamian courtesy flag, showing that you have been granted permission to stay. You can go to the Bahamas in a conoe if the weather is right. I don’t know anything about not needing the decal since the boat is US-built as I’m American. I’d love to try Aliv, but they don’t have any offices in Bimini it the Berries, and Mr. Sim Card doesn’t work with them to get a card in the US. When first researching, it may seem like a crazy dream to take a trailer boat to The Bahamas. Sailing Bahamas | The Complete Itinerary | 2-3 Months. The smoother it is, the faster a powerboat can make the crossing. 1 talking about this. It’s a powerhouse of energy and warm water that flows north out of the Caribbean, between Florida and Cuba, and north along Florida’s east coast. Finding a buddy boat is a good idea since you will then have someone in range to discuss problems with or bounce planning ideas off of. In addition to BTC for cell service, we have found Aliv service to be easier to use and you may also set up auto renew which we do monthly. Is there anything else you may be aware of? Thank you! CBP has designated specific reporting locations that are staffed during boating season for pleasure boats to report their arrival and be inspected by CBP. Thank you in advance. That was 0 Fun. [More] 5 Steps to Replacing Thru Hulls, February 13, 2021 By Carolyn Shearlock/Julie Bradley, Do you put off having the best for someday? Filed Under: Cruising & Chartering Tagged With: Bahamas, Checklists & Downloads, Cruising the Bahamas, International Cruising. . Often the notificationcan be done within an app or online. Get my self-paced online course, Get Ready to Cruise the Bahamas, for step-by-step details on 30 critical tasks. I’m not making any guarantees, but simply have not heard of anyone having a problem or even being asked. Daily shore excursions include snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding in crystal turquoise waters, or optional cultural and wildlife tours. They will mail the forms to you. Does your boat have marine radar? That might not sound like much, but like a mighty river, if the wind opposes the current, then waves will stack up in short, steep sets. If you’re nervous about making the crossing the first time on your own, many small boats make the trip all the time. Box N.4860Nassau, Bahamas. Requirements can vary according to the boat and people’s nationality. Do-it-yourselfers have two choices: Bring Your Own Boat to The Bahamas Out Islands or rent one here. Weather Conditions en Route to the Bahamas. Small boats will want to wait until completely calm weather to make the crossing. I'm Carolyn Shearlock. 2) With respect to pet imports, I want to thank you for mentioning the services of Wellington Saunders. There at least the northers have begun to moderate. Fuel, marinas, and resorts are plentiful in the closer islands. Unfortunately, when I tried to ship the HAM license via UPS, they told me I had to send via USPS because there was only a PO box # – I will probably be back here before I get it : (, Love this! Preparation Before The Trip For us, the preparation for the Bahamas trip begins 6 months to a year before the crossing. Around 10,000 small boats, sailed by families, couples and individuals, ply the oceans each year. Check out all the special deals from our podcast sponsors! It’s a day hop to Chub Cay in the Berry Islands, and another day to Nassau. Rent a sailing boat in Bahamas . By February about 400 boats—85 percent of them sailboats—have made it to George Town, where they have established a floating American suburb in its spacious roadsted. The Abacos in Northwest Bahamas are just plain chilly much of the time. The Islands of the Bahamas start just 50 miles east of South Florida. If you have a pet, be sure to take all their documents, too. The Boat Galley can be overwhelming with over 1,200 articles. I also track my sailing costs. Bimini is indeed 49 nautical miles from Ft. Lauderdale. The Gulf Stream flows at up to 3 knots. Though your eye sight seems to be super human, your navigational skills do not seem to be up to sailing the Bahamas. Learn everything you need to know with Get Ready to Cruise the Bahamas. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. Get general tips on boating to The Bahamas, refueling, and dockage. The other islands feature small communities and are known as the Family Islands. Take beautiful pictures of places you visit while cruising. I also love helping others, which is why I created this website. https://towers4boats.com/cruising-to-the-bahamas-on-a-small-boat . For many sailors starting out on the East Coast of the USA, a cruise to the Bahamas is the ultimate goal. If your shipping company questions you, no, there are no ZIP codes or postal codes in the Bahamas. If you had told my wife, Mindy, and me 28 years ago that someday we’d be sailing from Florida to the Bahamas and back in a boat little bigger than a dinghy, we wouldn’t have believed you. It’s good to note that during our travels here in 2017 the exchange rate was one US dollar to 1 Bahamian dollar. It may not be the wisest choice for cruisers. As such, the waters inside or west of the chain are protected, shallow and generally calmer than those outside on the eastern side, which consist of deep, open ocean. What a terrific service! For those who love sailing, the Bahamas offer a paradise of scenery and adventure. The following fees will be applied to boats staying in The Bahamas for up to 3 months: Boats up to 34 feet: $150 (no change) Boats 35-99 feet: $300 (no change) Boats 100-149 feet: $500; Boats 150-200 feet: $800; Boats over 200 feet: $1,000; For stays longer than 3 months: Boats up to 34 feet: $300 annually We have crusied the Bahamas in a Hunte 31. Their favorite destinations have been the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the Florida Keys and the beautiful islands of the Bahamas. Click to see all 30 topics covered! Once you''re there you''ll have a blast getting into areas that the big boats can''t. Choosing your crew is a very important part of the planning. Click here. To the south, Bimini is a tiny group of islands on the western side of the Great Bahama Bank. I looked on your site for information about vaccinations before traveling but didn’t see anything (you have pets well covered!). Going from Florida to the Bahamas by boat takes you through the open ocean. Your website has been a wealth of knowledge for us. The Bimini islands, including Cat and Gun cays, are a common first stop for cruisers. Thanks again for doing our homework for us! By far, the biggest challenge of getting to The Bahamas is crossing the Gulf Stream. The Exumas run along the eastern edge of the Grand Bahamas Bank. Your email address will not be published. If any U.S. residents are interested the CDC has a thorough and informative site at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destination Thanks for a wonderful and informative website. With Customs and accommodations on-site, this is the perfect spot to begin exploring the islands. Tucking the head way back in the hull opened up both the saloon and the master cabin. You might want to tuck it in lockers, but truly I’ve never heard of anyone even being asked about it. You've only seen one page. Bahamas Boating Regulations . Best Seasickness Remedies But people take small boats across the Gulf Stream all the time. I would like to know if you have a specific checklist of food items that are NOT allowed into the Bahamas. I think your biggest concern may be time since with a small boat your speed is limited. We are a Canadian couple on a Canadian registered sail boat returning to a Florida port. • Totally FREE – one email a week, I’M THINKING ABOUT LIVING ON A BOAT AND DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START. I have two comments. The nearest islands to the United States are Grand Bahama Island, which starts 55 miles east of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Bimini, which lies just 50 miles east of Miami. None of the other reputable sources that I checked mentioned any restriction on foods brought in, as long as they are for your own consumption. (See related story). The trade winds give the islands a warm and agreeable climate all-year-around. Boaters who cruise across the Gulf Stream are treated to a tactically demanding but quick passage from Florida’s Atlantic Coast to the nearest of The Bahamas islands: Bimini and Grand Bahama (specifically the town of West End). Could you also comment on the decal, please? Looks like an updated SVRS is up and running. link to Seasickness Remedies That Work Fast | Top 13 Strategies, link to Six Important Facts to Know About T-Tops, Remove Mildew & Mold Stains from Your Bimini Top with No Bleach, Trailer Maintenance Tips | Key Hacks to Know Before You Tow, Where Should Fire Extinguishers Be Stored on a Boat. Caribbean island-hopping by boat takes a bit of planning but is completely worthwhile. Welcome to the islands. The CBP ROAM app can be used by citizens of any nation aboard Boaters should carry spare parts and filters in case anything goes wrong, and be able to troubleshoot problems along the way. Getting to The Bahamas requires crossing the strongest part of it. There are several marinas, resorts, and casinos to explore, as well as beautiful beaches. Island hopping eastward from Bimini could go on forever. This would enable people with small boats to sail the bahamas without doing the crossing in a too small boat. In addition, calls to USA and Canada are included in your minutes. The rest of the year is generally warmer with temperatures between 80-85F (27-29C). Click here. Congratulations, you’ve made it to The Bahamas in your own boat and are now free to explore! The CDC one is what I always refer to. We met a couple in the Abacos aboard a Hunter 26 WB. South of Nassau lies the Exuma Cays, home some of the clearest water in the world. As to the bigger question - is it worth it? As a side note, when we entered the US from Canada we were told we did not require a decal because we were sailing a US-built boat. West End is a tiny settlement on the very western tip of Grand Bahama Island. Do you have a checklist for Mexico? I’m on several Bahamas cruising groups in Florida and Marathon is a major staging area for crossing to the Bahamas and I have not heard of anyone having a problem with any food they’ve taken. The average boat size we saw in the Exumas was probably 38'. Overview of the Islands. From there, they stretch like stepping stones to the Caribbean, but there’s no need to get ahead of ourselves. Get your US Ship’s Radio License and MMSI number here, https://www.bahamas.com/faq/enteringexiting-policies, Guide to Storing Food without Refrigeration, " data-id="twitter" class="ss-twitter-color" data-ss-ss-network-id="twitter" data-ss-ss-post-id="34970" data-ss-ss-location="popup" data-ss-ss-permalink="https://theboatgalley.com/bahamas-checklist/" data-ss-ss-type="share" data-has-api="true" rel="nofollow">. Mindy and David have a passion for small sailboats called micro-cruisers, and they have been cruising in their tiny boats for 30 years. Think 40’ sport fishing boats that have a full cabin, toilet, beds, tuna towers, big livewells – the works. Depending on how far into the islands you want to travel, things get more challenging the farther you go. However, sailing on the bank side can also be tricky, as some stretches are too shallow for deep-keel boats. Just say that everything on board is for your own consumption. Any boat that ventures into the Gulf Stream and beyond should plan to be as self-sufficient as possible. Bahamas Entry Requirements and Entry Fees. [More] You Can Take Better Pictures—Here’s How, We recently replaced all our thru hulls – and share the details of how to do it! The master of the boat must report to CBP telephonically and be directed to the nearest Port of Entry to satisfy the face-to-face requirement, or report to the nearest designated reporting location along with the boat's passengers for inspection. I’M PREPARING TO CRUISE — HOW DO I GET READY FOR THIS?? For travelers, sailing out on the water in a boat is one of true pleasures of visiting the Out Islands of the Bahamas, and it's key to enjoying much of what the island chain has to offer. It’s time now to leave The Bahamas and the question arises…do we need to officially Exit the islands and turn in our immigration cards? Wow the past month and a half has been an adventure for sure! The candles are lit, the wine's been poured, and a romantic interlude is about to cialis kopfschmerzen begin when one partner does or says something that stops everything cold. US Mail is extremely slow to reach the Bahamas. You Are Not Alone Of course it may cialis kopfschmerzen be worth calling your independent pharmacy. Read our privacy policy. Noonsite says that you cannot bring meat and meat products except for your own consumption so you should be fine there. 1) We usually inform our credit cards that we are going to a new state/country. • Tips from Carolyn For many boaters near Florida, that fantasy may be more achievable than they realize. It was a 23-foot Crestliner Grand Cayman pontoon boat. One from our country of registration would be ok? Hi! Here’s how to get photographs that will help you remember your trip. The communication from Wellington was excellent and we saved money using his service. Internal ballast so when (not if) you hit bottom you never have to worry about keel bolts. There have been occasions where Chase has shut down our card out of fraud concern when a charge suddenly pops up in a new place.
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