Bahamas - Gateway Between Florida and Cuba
One of the most famous groups of islands in the Caribbean, the Bahamas needs no introduction. The large number of tourists who come here year after year in search of yacht charters Caribbean are a testament to the great conditions to be found here: lovely weather, sandy beaches and warm water throughout the year.
General Info
Generally speaking, the Bahamas are always associated with sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and tropical vegetation, in other words, the perfect place for a summer holiday, but the best way to enjoy this archipelago of islands off Florida’s coast to the southeast in the north Atlantic is definitely by boat. That’s why so many Yacht Charter lovers head out to these waters year after year.
Covering an area of almost 400.000 sq km, the 700 islands are generally made of limestone and are low-lying with gentle slopes that rise no more than 15-20m above sea level. The shores too are made up of shallow banks but also of deep off-sounding trenches, providing excellent “line of sight navigation”. However, numerous coral reefs and sand bars make the Yacht Charter skipper and the crew be always on watch.
Most of the islands are nothing more than deserted rocky formations, but there are some that have permanent settlements and even Yacht Charter ports, many efforts being taken into that direction in the last decade by the new government which has tried to develop the naval infrastructure.
Main cities that also have good Yacht Charter harbors are Nassau in New Providence island, Freeport on Grand Bahama and Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco. These have several marinas, fuelling as well as repair facilities. Apart from being a great sailing destination, the Bahamas are also used as a transit point to the USA for those travelling the Atlantic through the Caribbean Sea.
The weather in the Bahamas is very pleasant, the islands being located just outside the anticyclone belt. The Yacht Charter season is between June and October when the temperatures are particularly pleasant, and the prevailing winds blow from the northeast towards the southwest.
Law & Order
Passports are required from all tourists, regardless of the country of provenience. However, most countries from the Commonwealth, the EU and other Caribbean Countries do not require a travel visa for a stay of under 3 months. Single entry visas are usually valid for 90 days while multi-entry visas are valid for a year.
In order to enter the Bahamas by water, the Yacht Charter crew must sail to a port of entry and fly the yellow Q flag until cleared from the Customs and Immigration. The cruising permit or C39 is issued on arrival and is valid for one year, during which time, multiple entries are permitted without any additional fees.
There are some restrictions and limitations, usually in accordance with international law so Yacht Charter tourists must be careful when bringing into the country things such as firearms, alcohol and tobacco or pets. Apart from national parks, sailing is permitted anywhere but fishing and is pretty strict and requires a permit which is issued by the Customs officer upon request.