From Nassau to The Exuma Islands
(Nice relaxing 7 Days, about 160 Nautical Miles)

1. DAY ONE. Leave Nassau Harbour by the East entrance, pass the Porgee rock and head SE across the White and Yellow Banks, watching for coral heads, towards Allan Cay; this is about a 35 NM run and be sure to arrive at Allan Cay with the sun still up - as a matter of fact, plan to arrive everywhere in the Bahamas in the early afternoon. It's very shallow and you are running on Visual here..!! Overnight between Allan's Cay and Leaf Cay, there's a strong current here so learn to put out two anchors in the Bahamian style. You will find some interesting friends on Allan's Cay, the place is a protected Iguana habitat and there are literally hundreds of large Iguanas everywhere. Great place and very protected.

2. DAY TWO. Leave Allan's Cay and retrace your steps to the Western side of the islands standing off about 5 miles from the chain to allow for shoals. Head South East to wards Norman Cay, head into the anchorage and overnight here at anchor. If you prefer a Marina, there's a great one on Highbourne Cay, the cay with the Batelco tower on it. On Norman check out the wreck of a old drug-running airplane shot down by the authorities. It sits in about 3 feet of water, have your picture taken in the cockpit..!!

3. DAY THREE. Norman Cay to Hawksbill Cay, one of the most attractive cays in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. It is uninhabited and has several beautiful beaches on the Western side. You can anchor here.

4. DAY FOUR. Up anchor and head for Compass Cay with its bold white cliffs and sweeping beach on the South end. There is a Marina here that is quite comfortable and you can also anchor off Fowl Cay.

5. DAY FIVE. Head SE towards Staniel Cay; there is a Marina and Yacht Club here with re-fueling facilities and a well renowned bar..!!; but you can also pick up a mooring off the Club Thunderball. This is where the James Bond movie, Thunderball, was filmed; the diving is quite spectacular.

6. DAY SIX. Time to head back, and since you are going to try and do in two days what took you five, you cannot spend all that time swimming and snorkeling. So head back to Highbourne Cay to overnight.

7. DAY SEVEN. Pick up speed here and head across the Banks to Porgee Rock and tuck your self into West Bottom Harbour on Rose Island for the night. It's about an hour to Nassau Harbour from here.

SUMMER ONLY

From Miami to The Bahamas Berry Islands
(Quite a lot of sailing in 7 Days, about 250 Nautical Miles)

1. DAY ONE. Leave Miami and cross the Gulf Stream, heading East for Gun Key. Overnight at Honeymoon Harbour on the North end of Gun Key or go through the cut and anchor behind Gun Key on the North East side or tie up at Cat Key Marina. OR continue East across the Banks and overnight anywhere on the Banks outside of the main channel route.

2. DAY TWO. Get up early and head East towards the North East channel Marker and move off the Banks into deeper water and head for Chub Cay, the southernmost Cay in the Berry Islands. Anchor close in to Chub or tie up at Chub Key Marina.

3. DAY THREE. Continue East gradually turning North past Bird Cay and then Whale Cay and up past Bond Cay to Little Harbour Cay. There is a good anchorage on the inside of Little Harbour Cay. This is diving, snorkeling and fishing paradise; The water is crystal clear and unbelievable.

4. DAY FOUR. If you decided against spending the rest of your life in Little Harbour, you can continue Northwards past Holmes Cay and Great Harbour Cay, you are actually going to spend the next overnight at Great Harbour but on the other side of the island and the only way to get there is by using a rather circuitous route around Great and Little Stirrup Cays. Anchor or tie up at Great Harbour Marina.

5. DAY FIVE. Spend the day on Great Harbour Cay, diving or snorkeling or simply hanging out.

6. DAY SIX. Great Harbour Key to Bimini.

7. DAY SEVEN. Spend the day in Bimini taking in all of Hemingway's old haunts, go Bill-fishing with the pros and have a couple at the Compleat Angler when you get back. Return to Miami the following day.

Tracking Columbus - The Bahamas Out-Islands from San Salvador to Crooked Island.
(Fly into Georgetown in the Bahamas - Longish sail, lots of Blue Water, hold on to your hat and bring a copy of Columbus' log-book or "Diario" with you)

1. DAY ONE. Leave Georgetown early by the Southern Entrance and head East towards the tip of Cape Sta. Maria, then on past Conception Island until you reach San Salvador. Anchor off Cockburn Town, on the lee side of the island or tie up at Riding Rock Marina which now has 7 slips. We believe the controlling depth to enter the harbour is now 6.5 feet at low water. The anchorage is not that great so if you can get into the marina so much the better. There is a range to guide you in. Arrive early.

2. DAY TWO. Spend the day here. On San Salvador you can check out all the important Columbian stops such as the simple white cross that marks Columbus' landing place and the impressive monument on the other side of the island. Spend the day here, the sheer historical significance is awesome.

3. DAY THREE. Leave early and head South West to Rum Cay, this island was originally named Santa Maria de la Concepcion by Columbus and was his second stop in the "Indies". Be careful entering the reef, it's pretty shallow, but there are usually some white markers. You can stay at Sumner Point Marina or simply anchor out behind the reef, go ashore in the dinghy and have a few beers at Toby's Bar or Kay's. Not much going on here except for some excellent diving on the wreck of the HMS Conqueror and about 60 wonderful Bahamian people to chat with.

4. DAY FOUR. Leave early and head South West to Clarencetown on Long Island, Long Island was named Fernandina by Columbus although he bypassed this harbour on his way down, it's definitely worth a visit. You can either tie up at at the Flying Fish Marina or anchor out in the lee of Strachan Cay. Be careful going in and out of this harbour in a blow. Just as a note of interest, when Columbus left Rum Cay, he headed basically West to Cape Santa Maria and around the Cape to Calabash Bay where he anchored. You can rent a small car or moped in Clarencetown and visit this area including Stella Maris Resort and Marina . There are two magnificent old churches in Clarencetown, these are St. Paul's Anglican Church and St. Peter's Catholic Church, both designed by Father Jerome an architect and religious figure well known and respected in the Bahamas.

5. DAY FIVE. Leave early and head East to Bird Rock on Crooked Island. (Columbus named this island Isabela, after the Queen of Spain). Head South down the lee shore of Crooked Island to French Wells where the Admiral anchored, traded and ate a few "Hutias" the original rodent-like fauna of the Bahamas. Anchor in the lee of Gun Point and if you're a fisherman, DO go after the fattest bone fish and the meanest Tarpon.

6.DAY SIX. Leave extra early, head North back towards Long island and Cape Sta. Maria. go around the Cape and anchor in Calabash Bay. This was Columbus' third stop after San Salvador and Rum Key. Relax on your last day before heading back to George town.

7. DAY SEVEN. Head due West towards Georgetown and enter the harbour using the Southern Entrance.