From Nassau we head southeast into the Exumas – the finest sailing grounds in the Bahamas. Turquoise shallows on one side, sheer drop-offs on the other, with countless lonely cays in between. We snorkel in blue holes, anchor off white sand beaches, visit the famous swimming pigs and enjoy life aboard a comfortable Leopard 50 catamaran. A relaxed sailing adventure in the warm aquarium of the Caribbean.
We decide our stops in harbours and anchorages together. We are a crew that plans the route according to preferences, wind and weather.
The Bahamas are an archipelago of around 700 islands northeast of Cuba. The heart of the sailing grounds is the Exumas, a chain of small cays southeast of Nassau with incredibly clear, shallow water. Constant trade winds, warm temperatures and short distances make the area ideal for relaxed cruising.
Start in Nassau with provisioning and a briefing. From there south-eastwards via Highborne Cay, Norman’s Cay (snorkelling at the plane wreck), Shroud Cay with its mangrove channels, Compass Cay, Staniel Cay with the swimming pigs, and Waderick Wells Cay in the Land and Sea Park. We decide the exact stops together according to wind and inclination – then sail back to Nassau.
We sail on a Leopard 50 (Moorings 5000), a modern cruising catamaran with five double cabins, each with en-suite facilities. Plenty of deck space, a large cockpit and the flybridge helm position make life on board comfortable and sociable. Stable, safe and fast – ideal for relaxed Caribbean sailing.
December is the dry season in the Bahamas: warm 25–28 °C, pleasant for sailing and swimming. Constant trade winds from east/north-east, usually 10–20 knots, provide reliable sailing pleasure over manageable distances.
Anyone can, if they want, help with sailing, take the helm now and then, or simply enjoy the beautiful nature and the day. In addition, everyone is jointly responsible for the crew's well-being. This means that everyone takes their turn preparing breakfast or looking after dinner. Usually the hobby cooks on board quickly emerge, and those who are not so into cooking simply stand back and do the washing up. When berthing and casting off, everyone generally lends a hand according to their abilities and after instruction from the skipper. The boat must be kept clean by the crew members during the voyage. The final cleaning, however, is carried out by the marina staff.
All crew members (except the skipper) pay an amount agreed together into the kitty. During the voyage, this kitty covers all joint costs incurred (e.g. diesel, harbour fees, deposit insurance, transit log, tourist tax, national and nature park fees, service pack for the provided bed linen, final cleaning, gas, marina fee for the first and last night in harbour, etc.). In keeping with old seafaring tradition, the crew also covers the skipper's food during the voyage.
Berth charter is the best opportunity for anyone who wants to get to know sailing life. Prior knowledge or your own sailing experience is not necessary. Perhaps you have already gained sailing experience and completed sailing training and want to deepen it? – Then the skipper will give you the opportunity to try things out for yourself and help you gain future confidence. The crew can help shape the course of the voyage and their wishes will be heard, subject to safety and weather. On such a trip you meet like-minded people, can make new pleasant acquaintances, and have an experienced skipper at your side who takes care of all nautical matters. The cabins on the yacht are mostly different, but very similarly equipped. The berths are allocated by the skipper taking crew wishes into account. Whole cabins can be chartered by individuals, couples or families. Payment is per person and you don't have to worry about anything else.
We run this trip in cooperation with our partner Weltweit Segeln / 7Seas Adventures. Booking, advice and support are handled entirely by Marine Infinite – simply get in touch with us.
