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The Best Sailing
- Marsh Harbour and Hope Town (the Abacos) -- Known among yachters for their many anchorages, sheltered coves, and plentiful marine facilities, the Abacos are considered one of the most perfect sailing areas in the world. You can charter boats of all shapes and sizes for a week or longer, with or without a crew.
- The Exumas -- Yachties head to these beautiful sailing waters to see some of the country's most dramatic coastal scenery. The Family Island Regatta, the most popular boating spectacle in The Bahamas, is held here annually. Most of the recreational boating happens in the government-protected Exumas Cays Land and Sea Park, an area of splendid sea gardens and rainbow-hued coral reefs that stretches south from Wax Cay to Conch Cay. You can rent motorboats at Minns Water Sports (tel. 242/336-3483) in George Town.
- New Providence Island -- Although sailing in the waters off New Providence isn't the equal of those yachting favorites the Exumas and the Abacos, boaters can still find many delights. More organized boating excursions are offered in New Providence than anywhere else in The Bahamas, especially by outfitters such as Barefoot Sailing Cruises (tel. 242/393-0820; www.barefootsailingcruises.com) and Majestic Tours Ltd. (tel. 242/322-2606). You can also choose from an array of sunset cruises, such as the ones Flying Cloud (tel. 242/363-4430) offers aboard its fleet of catamarans. The most popular -- and the most scenic -- trip is sailing to tranquil Rose Island, 13km (8 miles) east of the center of Nassau and reached after sailing past several small uninhabited cays. In addition, Blue Lagoon Island, 4.8km (3 miles) northeast of Paradise Island, is a magnet for boaters, offering seven white-sand beaches with seaside hammocks. The drawback to this island, however, is that cruise-ship passengers flock here and many beach buffs like to come on day trips.
- Grand Bahama Island -- On the beautiful waters off this large island, you can go sailing aboard Ocean Wonder (tel. 242/373-5880), which is supposedly the world's largest twin-diesel-engine glass-bottom boat. This vessel offers the best and most panoramic picture of underwater life off the coast of Grand Bahama -- a view most often reserved for scuba divers. You can also sail aboard Bahama Mama, a two-deck 22m catamaran, on its "Robinson Crusoe Beach Party." The catamaran also sails at sunset on a booze cruise. Superior Watersports (tel. 242/373-7863; www.superiorwatersports.com) operates this catamaran.
- Marsh Harbour -- One of the finest anchorages in the Out Islands is in Marsh Harbour, called "The Boating Capital of The Bahamas." The Moorings (tel. 888/952-8420 or 242/367-4000; www.moorings.com), one of the world's leading charter sailboat outfitters, rents boats to sail the Abacos' waters. Passengers discover white-sand beaches and snug anchorages on uninhabited cays. Sailing here is one of the great experiences of visiting The Bahamas.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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