Cruising the Abacos

[Captnron]

I am planning a power boat cruise in the Abacos Islands next summer (2005), chartering from Nautic Blue and division of The Moorings Co. Has anyone had any experience with Nautic Blue or The Moorings Co? Also, has any one done this and what is your experience?<br /><br />Ron

 

[handball]

Re: Cruising the Abacos

Ron,<br />I do not have any knowledge of chartering a power boat in the abacos but I have been there by way of a sailboat from florida.<br />What I can tell you is the abacos is a great place for cruising and you will not be dissapointed if you decide to cruise there.<br />There are many islands you can visit and the abaco sound is usually fairly calm because of the protection it gets rom the closely spaced islands and reefs.One of our favorite places was green turtle key, it has two nice protected harbors that you can anchor or find a slip in. We also stayed at both marsh harbor and hopetown.Marsh harbor has a large area to anchor, and some nice marinas with slips, when we were there in 1996 the prices for slips were pretty reasonable.<br />I'm sure you will enjoy this area of the bahamas, the water there is the clearest I have ever seen, and it is possible in some spots to see your anchor and chain on the bottom in 25 feet of water.<br />I noticed a lot of charter sailboats while moored in hopetown, but can't help you with power boats.<br />Hope you make the trip and wish you and yours a great time.<br /><br />Bill

 

[Captnron]

Re: Cruising the Abacos

Bill,<br /><br />Thank you for responding to my post, I appreciate the time you took to give me advice regarding the Abacos. I did not know too much about that chain of islands until I started looking into the different charters. NauticBlue has a great reputation and, according to them, the Abacos are the place for "First-Timers". <br /><br />I can hardly wait to see the diffrent locations you described.<br /><br />Ron

 

[Steamboat]

Re: Cruising the Abacos

My wife and I have been to the Abacos several times and you'll enjoy the trip. Pick up a copy of "The Dodge Cruising Guide to the Abacos" and take it with you for very helpful information on anchorages, harbors, etc (required reading if your chartering or boating in the area). Also do an internet search for "The Abaco Forum" which is a discussion group for the area (mostly second home owners and repeat vistors). I've never chartered while visiting but rented outboards for day trips between islands. Be aware that flying into the Abacos can be an interesting affair (very doable but routing and connections can be tricky). depending on size of boat your chartering, it may or may not have a generator for onboard AC and docking can get sorta expensive (may want to make reservations in advance for a few nights). Must do things, visit Hopetown, visit Nippers bar on Guana Cay on Sunday for the pigroast, visit Bakers Bay - too many things to do and not enough time.

 

[beezee28]

Re: Cruising the Abacos

Been to Abacos Island in the early 1990. Beautiful place, unspoiled. Very good diving place, rented boat from the local with a fisherman and tour the surrounding islands. Love to visit there again.