January 11, 2023
This place is a big surprise. It is a resort and marina on the northwestern tip of Grand Bahama Island, and a popular landing spot for boaters traveling from the East Coast of the US. You can clear Customs and Immigration here.
In general, there are two destinations for Bahamas-bound boaters: Bimini (called the Southern Route) and West End (the Northern Route).
It’s a gas: when you first arrive, you have to fly a yellow “Quarantine” flag, and only the captain can go ashore to clear Immigration and Customs. You buy a 60-day Cruising Permit. Then you go back to the boat, cut down the “Quarantine” flag, and hoist a Bahamian courtesy flag. Old Glory still flies on the highest flagpole.
When we planned on stopping here, I didn’t expect too much. I thought it would be small, and kind of run-down. Lynn checked it out in advance on TripAdvisor and learned that there is just one restaurant on the property. For anything else, TripAdvisor directs you to Nassau. YUK!
As it turns out, this is almost heaven. It is a sliver of land with the Straits of Florida on one side, and the Great Bahama Bank on the other. Which means you have panoramic views of both the sunrise and the sunset.
Sunrise
It also has: buildings painted in Bahamian shades of salmon, rose, azure and yellow; free gas grills on the beach; a two-level swimming pool; beach hammocks; miles of white sandy beaches; and walking trails out to rocky crags. Simple and unpretentious.
And they are dog friendly! I can’t tell you what a joy it is to let Guinness run free on the beach. He wore himself out swimming and running.
Guinness trying to decide whether to go after the heron on the left like he went after the chickens in Key West
I am so glad we stayed an extra day, instead of thinking that we had to press on to our next destination. We have found the Bahamas, and they are here.
Nevertheless, we leave tomorrow for Green Turtle Cay and the Green Turtle Club, which I imagine will be much more chi-chi. Somehow we will manage.
Today would have been a perfect travel day – light winds and no waves to speak of. I am taking a chance by waiting until tomorrow. But the forecast is still good (if not as good as today), and I really wanted a rest day after our crossing from Florida.
The chart plotter is telling us that it’s a 7-hour trip tomorrow…100 miles. Certainly the longest leg so far. If we leave at 7AM, however, we’ll be in by 2PM. And – unlike the Gulf Stream crossing – we’ll be in sight of land all the way. One little island after another. Initially, we head east for 50 miles across the Great Bahama Bank. Then a turn to the right for another 50 miles on a southeast course. This will take us into the heart of the Abacos.
I just hope the waves are calm. That’s all I ask. There is a front coming in that is going to make it cold and VERY windy on Saturday and Sunday. Kind of like Christmas in Key West. So it will be good to be snug and safe at Green Turtle Cay!
Sunset
Anyway, we are off to see the sunset.
Rod & Guinness' Amazing Adventures 
Take the time to learn to read the water and where polarized sunglasses really make a difference! Your chart plotters fine but not always a good depth sounder! I should have given you a supply M-3’0s firecrackers there water proof and if you drop one overboard its stuns the rock lobsters and they float to the surface, for a minute or so, YUMMY as you would say just don’t have the natives watch you
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I hope you are not using Google maps to plan your voyage(s). I tried to see your route and was told you cannot get there from where you are, not by car, by foot, by public transportation, or even by flying. They need to add a “by maritime vessel” icon.
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Beautiful photos!
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