We absolutely love the Bahamas and year after year we find ourselves returning. After 5 seasons cruising around we have explored most of the island chains here. Of course there will always be another spot we haven’t seen yet but that would take a few lifetimes. It’s easy to fall in love with an area and want to come back again next year. Although cruising through the Bahamas often requires some stops in the same locations again and again, maybe after reading this you might just consider exploring further. 

Some spots in the Bahamas offer all around protection with minimal or no need to ever move your boat. While this is wonderful for an easy vacation in a tropical paradise it has a few drawbacks. 

Georgetown Bahamas is one of these types of locations. Regardless of wind direction there is always a place to anchor with some protection. Unless of course it is too crowded, a mooring field, or too much boat traffic. The ease of anchoring brings hundreds of boaters from all over the Bahamas. Some stay throughout their visas without leaving. For many people that may be the perfect vacation. Between the cruiser net every morning (a community of fellow cruisers planning activities, problem-solving together, and sharing information), close by grocery/free water/propane, the countless activities throughout the day (volleyball, yoga, boat side concerts, meet ups, chat and chill swings) it’s easy to get sucked in and all of a sudden it’s been a month or a year even for some. 

As mentioned before this naturally comes with a few drawbacks like overcrowded anchorages, mooring fields taking more and more of the prime anchorage locations. As well as the ever constant boat traffic makes an otherwise comfortable spot quite bumpy during the day. While grocery’s tend to be more affordable than some more remote locations, restaurant prices seem to be rising fast, and even the local merchants selling fruit on the roadside can sometimes charge more than the grocery. 

The alternative to staying put is exploring a little further. This type of location is great for resupplying and prepping the boat and crew to explore somewhere new. With a well rested crew a short half day hop can take you to Long Island or a longer day trip and you could be in Cat Island, Conception Island or even the Raggeds or San Salvador to name a few. If you have already made it all the way to Georgetown, what’s a few more miles to explore a new area? 

These islands are often empty or only have a few boats by March or April. Allowing you to enjoy any beach you like all to yourself. The locals are very friendly and helpful, often offering you rides or showing you around. Helping these smaller islands by buying locally helps to keep things going.

The restaurants have local food for good prices and in most places you can find what you need (except Conception Island is empty but has beautiful beaches and snorkeling). Of course the fishing always seems to get better the more off the beaten path you go because the fish seem to be curious about you instead of frightened. The exploration opportunities in these more remote locations are endless both in water and out. 

One drawback is you might be completely exposed from one or more directions with swell that wraps around the island. So you constantly need to be watching the weather and be ready to move before the wind clocks around to that direction. If you get it wrong sometimes you are stuck in an uncomfortable anchorage. After some looking at the charts you can normally find areas that will offer more all around protection or at least protection from upcoming wind changes. If things get uncomfortable because of unpredicted weather just move on to a more settled spot on the leeward side of any swell or stronger wind. Planning and replanning as the wind forecast changes will keep you out of trouble. Maybe you don’t get to see that island you were hoping to visit this season because the winds are not in your favor but maybe another one is a beautiful beam reach away, so you can go see if that is your new favorite spot. 

It’s easy to get comfortable and only cruise areas you have been to. I write this after discovering one of my new favorite spots here in the Ragged Islands, after cruising so much of the Bahamas there is still so much to see. As we explore more we see just what these places have to offer and how stunningly beautiful just a tiny speck on the map can be.

Cory Bertrand

Cory and Alex share their adventure with weekly videos on their YouTube channel “Wildly Intrepid Sailing”. Their dream is to travel the world and to live without any regrets.