Marsh Harbour Vs Tortola

[nautical62]

Certainly the Spanish Virgin Islands have fewer sailboats, especially charter boats than the BVIs or USVIs, but still I never found the solitude there I have in the Abacos. On a previous 10-day charter (trade time) in the Abacos, we had an anchorage to ourselves every single night. You just don't find that in many charter locations.

Much of the good snorkeling and diving in the Abacos is on the outer reef. In some places such as Great Guanna this is an easy swim from the beach, in other places it's a mile or more. The problem is, these reefs are less protected from the weather than many of the reefs in the BVIs and in my opinion are not worth it if a cold front is coming through.

Personally, I'm content to snorkel for lobster in more protected waters when a cold front is coming through.

The Garmin charts are indeed much better, but I did not find the errors to be as great in the Abacos as in the Exumas. You can get the Garmin charts and app for your Iphone and Ipad for the U.S. and Bahamas for only $30. - A cheap alternative if chartering there.