Bahamas - the crystal clear waters and tropical climate

If you plan to spend your holiday in the Bahamas, make sure you try sailing in that beautiful region. The area is so large that there’s always something new to discover. No matter if you start your journey in Bimini islands or Abacos, Andros, which is the largest, although not the most popular point for yachts, the experience will be simply unforgettable and breathtaking.

The Bahamas have over sixty three active marinas about six boat charter companies and thirty four ports of entry.

What the Abacos also offers apart from the crystal clear waters and tropical climate are the splendid coral reefs and unique underwater species. This is also said to be an ideal place for sailing families. In Marsh harbor and Hope Town you can also charter a yacht or any other type and size of boat at your convenience.

The most popular marinas are situated in Nassau, with its crowded marinas, plenty of shops and restaurants and a huge airport. If you’re looking for a rather quiet and peaceful place, Berry Islands in the Bahamas are something just for you. They are mostly uninhabited, so apart from sailing and diving, you can also count on a lot of lonely sunbathing.

Another highly interesting place for yachts is the Eleuthera, where tourists can see the unique pink sand covering the peaceful, sunny beaches. If you are more into sailing and fishing, the Exumas, with its numerous anchorage places, is the best place to be. Some people say that with the Exumas, there are not many breathtaking views so see from aboard, but fishing in that region is absolutely fantastic. When you charter a yacht, a motor boat or a catamaran without the crew and want to schedule the course on your own, the Far Out Islands are one of the most recommended places of the Bahamas.

An important aspect of sailing in the Bahamas is that you need to pay an entry fee in the port of entry. If your boat measures up to thirty five feet, the entry fee is one hundred and fifty dollars. But it your vessel is bigger, the entry fee is three hundred dollars. The fees include fishing permit, cruising permit and departure tax. If you happen to have more than five passengers aboard, you will probably need to pay an additional departure tax.

Many people recommend starting the sailing experience from the Grand Bahama island, offering accommodation, internet access, boat charter offices and many more. When sailing, make sure you also visit Long Island, the Inagua, Rum Cay and San Salvador, as well as Cat Island and the Paradise Island.

One of the most popular vessels chartered in the Bahamas are the catamarans and larger motor boats-both comfortable and quite fast, which is helpful if you want to see as much as possible in a shorter amount of time. The Bahamas also have plenty of sailing schools, perfect for those who want to begin their sailing experience in that particular part of the world.

Each year the Bahamas hold the Family Island Regatta-the most spectacular sailing event of the region.

Pack your clothes and equipment and head for the Bahamas-most of the islands have grocery shops with a wide range of products necessary for the everyday meals on board.