Bimini to Berry Islands

[txh2oskier]

Hi All,
We're in Bimini and going to head towards the Berry Islands in the next few days. All the routing we see would have us go through the Northwest Passage to the southern end of the Berry's. We'd rather start at the north end and work our way south and then on to Eleuthera. Is there a reason this isn't discussed much?

The Northwest Passage where you go from 10 feet to 3000 feet in short order sounds like it could be a bit rough.

Thanks.
Brian

[Vasco]

Yes the NW Channel can get a bit bumpy if the tide's going out and the seas are coming in. If you want to start at the north end of the Berrys go across the Bank to Bullock's Harbour on Great Harbour cay Some folks prefer this route, clearing in at Bullock"s Harbour.

[txh2oskier]

Thanks Rick. We already cleared into the Bahamas so we don't have to do that part but Bullock's Harbour looks to be well protected. We're thinking we'll do this in two days, dropping an anchor somewhere on the bank along the way. Any guidance on that piece?

[dennisjay]

We anchored on the bank earlier this year, and it was fine, although I’m told there can be uncomfortable swells with strong winds from the northeast. It’s also a good idea to get a mile off the rumb line, out of the way of any other traffic coming through.

We went on the outside to the north of the Berries and anchored for a couple days in Great Harbor Cay. Beautiful place.

[Virginia Lee]

That's my preferred route. If you plan to spend the night on the bank, you do have to stop a bit early as closer in to the Berry's on the north side the water is a bit deep. If you make it all the way over, you can anchor off Bullocks' Harbor (not go into the Harbor itself) - it's not particularly tricky, though a buddy boat whose anchor didn't reliably set had trouble getting a set there. I love the beach off of where the charts note as Petit Cay and Hawksbill. The more southeasterly side of the beach tends to have less swell than the area nearer the beach bar.

[Vasco]

With the good charts these days we seldom if ever anchor on the Bank. But if you do, just get a mile or two off the course line on Explorer Charts. Usually we're on the Bank eastbound just before a front comes through when the wind starts clocking. If you dilly dally on the bank the front catches up with you and the wind goes to the east and it's on the nose!

[Scaramanga F25]

I sailed out at 3 or 4 in the afternoon south of Bimini and then a slow sail all night to arrive in the morning.