Non-Boating Vacation to Bahamas Recoz

[Tom.B]

The Carbon Wife Unit and I want to goto the Bahamas in September for annual anniversary trip. We still aren't quite ready to go there on Skinny Dippin' just yet (that's a few years off still), but DO want to see some of the cruising grounds and places where y'all go down there. Can y'all give us a few ideas where to go, where to stay, where to avoid, please?

We like quieter places, maybe a secluded beach (and since it's September, it might be that way anyway), and a reasonable price. 5-star dining and spa are not really high on the list, however, we were kind of looking at Sandals Emerald Bay, although it might be too pricey for this exploratory trip. What smaller places are there that are easy to get to for a 4 or 5-night getaway?

Thanks in advance!!!
Tom-

[GordMay]

Staniel Cay, Exuma
➥ https://www.google.ca/search?q=rental+Staniel+Cay%2C+Exuma&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&client=firefox-a

Congratulations on your hundredth post.

[Vasco]

Gord has it right. Staniel is the best bet, a good restaurant, friendly community and you can rent a whaler and dink around. If adventurous you can take the dink to Black Point another Bahamian community or got to Sampson Cay ( a high end place) but very friendly and good restaurant. It's very easy to fly into Staniel too.
Staniel Cay Yacht Club - Exumas, Bahamas

[Therapy]

Did Sandals on Nassau this year.

I will not write the four page letter to the travel agent here.

Suffice it to say;

[skipmac]

There are so many options. Staniel would get a vote from me but there's also Green Turtle Cay, Marsh Harbor, Hopetown and others in the Abacos. A little pricey but off the beaten path, Small Hope Bay Andros.

Georgetown has gotten more crowded and popular in recent years but still easy to go a couple of miles down the road and find a beach with not a soul in sight.

[mbianka]

Stayed overnight at Staniel Cay Yacht Club where we picked up our chartered catamaran a few months ago. Got some photo's of the place and some of the activities here:
THE BIANKA LOG BLOG: CAPT. MIKE IN THE EXUMAS DAY TWO: STANIEL CAY YACHT CLUB
They can provide you with a small skiff so you can explore some of the nearby cays and the cracked conch at the restaurant was fantastic!

[s/vPainkiller]

+1 on Staniel Cay.

We also liked Hopetown in the Abacos. Really picturesque town. A few places you could stay on Elbow Cay. Several decent bars/retaurants. Cruiser hangout during the season. Nice beaches.

If you really want to get away, how about Long Island Breeze Resort. Run by an Aussie and his American Ex -- nice folks. They have what appear to be nice new bungaloes. Good restaurant/bar on site. Less to do there unless you want to rent a car for a day and tour the island. Prob not many cruisers there in Sept. Definitely harder to get to than the Abacos and Exumas.

Scott

[belizesailor]

There's land in the Bahamas? ... just realized after reading your post that I've never spent much time ashore there...great cruising ground though!

If you want see where the cruisers go then I would look for shore side accommodations in popular cruising stops -- which are not necessarily popular with the shore based tourist crowd.

Bimini (damn shame that the Compleate Angler burnt down...I did spend some time ashore there), Berry Islands, Abacos, George Town (Bahama cruisers Mecca and probably a number of shore side accommodation options)....

You might consider booking a charter there and thus be able to visit multiple islands easily.

[Amapola]

Staniel Cay, Exumas, Man-O-War, Abaco, or the Berriy Cays.

[bob_77903]

Norman Cay, Exumas...MacDuffs has villas...

Norman's Cay Travel Guide - VirtualTourist

[FSMike]

Georgetown, Great Exuma -
Try the Peace & Plenty hotel, or, for something unique, stay at Regatta Point. Tell Nancy that Mike from Mandolin sent you.
Skiffs are available for cruising the (large) harbor. Rent a car and you can drive all the way from Little Exuma to Barratarre. You can even drive to Emerald Bay to spend some money if you wish.
Enjoy.

[BessLB]

What about the Keys?? The savings in flights and our short window of time might make the Florida Keys more realistic.

What are your favorite islands and hotels in the Keys?

[nautical62]

If you really want your trip to include some recon., I'd pick something in the Abacos like Hope Town on Elbow Cay. The ferry system there will allow you to fairly easily and fairly affordably check out many popular sailing stops in the area.

I would second Staniel Cay as a spot in the Exumas, but I think closeness and ferries in the Abacos will allow you to get out and see more.

[Tom.B]

Thanks everyone. Looking into these as options.

[Tingum]

Many more cruising boats in Abaco and Georgetown Exuma. Megas in Staniels, crime in Nassau. Abaco is the best cruising ground with more islands, anchorages, and things going on than anywhere else. Check out Abaco Forum and Abaco Message boards. full of info!!!