We spent the last winter in the Bahamas on our 49' power cat, Pretty Penny. We spent most of the time in the Exumas, which we absolutely loved. We plan to go back this winter and spend more time in the Exumas and see more islands. You can see the experiences on our trip on our blog http://prettypennycruise.blogspot.com. I agree that Staniel Cay is a great place to have guests meet you. There is a great resort at Staniel Cay Yacht Club and lots of nearby islands to explore. You can get there by Watermaker Air from Ft Lauderdale Executive Airport. Georgetown on Great Exuma is another great place. It is on a huge harbor – Elizabeth Harbor and there is a large semi- permanent boating population there most of the winter, usually 2-300 boats. The Abacos are supposed to be nice too, but they are usually colder and the weather reports were consistently for higher winds. The best charts and the Explorer Chart series which has detailed soundings and information on all the towns and marinas. The Explorer Charts will give you recommended routes between islands, but you will have to rely on visual navigation for a lot of the route. You will quickly learn to tell the depth of the water by the color. For the best weather service for the Bahamas and the Carribean I recommend Chris Parker and Carribean Weather Service. You pay a flat fee for the year and can get SSB broadcasts from Chris specifically tailored to you cruising plans.
Best of luck and safe cruising.
Regards,
Bob Kingsbury

We have found the Explorer Charts to be Great. There are three of them. Not only are they a chart. But they all so give local information. I like the Guide books put together by: Stephen J Pavlidis. We all so have Skipper Bobs.
All three will give information on Customs and Immigration.  If you have a pet on broad. You will need a pet permit. And you will need a user fee decal. To get back into the US.
As for having visitors fly in. George Town in the Exumas is a good place.
If you are Marina people. There is a fairly new marina just North of George Town. I have been told it quite nice. But check water depths before going in.
Elisabeth Harbor has a lot of great anchorages. This is between George Town and Stocking Island. There is usually a lot of boats anchored there. This is a great place lots to do and see. Trails, beaches, swimming, snorkeling and actives on the beach.
If you do not have it. You may want a books on shells, sea beans, fish, and birds. There is a lot to explore, on the Islands.
Hope you find this helpful.
Deb Baas S/V Heart's Desire

.

We spent the last winter in the Bahamas on our 49' power cat, Pretty Penny. We spent most of the time in the Exumas, which we absolutely loved. We plan to go back this winter and spend more time in the Exumas and see more islands. You can see the experiences on our trip on our blog http://prettypennycruise.blogspot.com. I agree that Staniel Cay is a great place to have guests meet you. There is a great resort at Staniel Cay Yacht Club and lots of nearby islands to explore. You can get there by Watermaker Air from Ft Lauderdale Executive Airport. Georgetown on Great Exuma is another great place. It is on a huge harbor – Elizabeth Harbor and there is a large semi- permanent boating population there most of the winter, usually 2-300 boats. The Abacos are supposed to be nice too, but they are usually colder and the weather reports were consistently for higher winds. The best charts and the Explorer Chart series which has detailed soundings and information on all the towns and marinas. The Explorer Charts will give you recommended routes between islands, but you will have to rely on visual navigation for a lot of the route. You will quickly learn to tell the depth of the water by the color. For the best weather service for the Bahamas and the Carribean I recommend Chris Parker and Carribean Weather Service. You pay a flat fee for the year and can get SSB broadcasts from Chris specifically tailored to you cruising plans.
Best of luck and safe cruising.
Regards,
Bob Kingsbury

We have found the Explorer Charts to be Great. There are three of them. Not only are they a chart. But they all so give local information. I like the Guide books put together by: Stephen J Pavlidis. We all so have Skipper Bobs.
All three will give information on Customs and Immigration.  If you have a pet on broad. You will need a pet permit. And you will need a user fee decal. To get back into the US.
As for having visitors fly in. George Town in the Exumas is a good place.
If you are Marina people. There is a fairly new marina just North of George Town. I have been told it quite nice. But check water depths before going in.
Elisabeth Harbor has a lot of great anchorages. This is between George Town and Stocking Island. There is usually a lot of boats anchored there. This is a great place lots to do and see. Trails, beaches, swimming, snorkeling and actives on the beach.
If you do not have it. You may want a books on shells, sea beans, fish, and birds. There is a lot to explore, on the Islands.
Hope you find this helpful.
Deb Baas S/V Heart's Desire

.