Yacht charter in the Bahamas offers turquoise waters and sparkling white sandy beaches. There are many attractive, interesting yacht anchorages.
The climate of the Bahamas is subtropical to tropical. The Gulf Stream significantly moderates the climate particularly in the winter. Summer temperatures in the Bahamas average 30 degrees Celsius and are just 5 degrees Celsius cooler in the winter. Summer and autumn can bring very severe weather in the form of hurricanes.
History: The seafaring Taino people moved into the southern Bahamas around the seventh century from Cuba and Hispaniola. They came to be known as the Lucayans and there were an estimated forty thousand Lucayans on the Bahamas at the time of Christopher Columbus' arrival. His first landfall here was on San Salvador Island, also known as Watling's Island, in the southern part of Bahamas.
Later Bahamian Lucayans were taken to Hispaniola as slaves. In two short decades many Lucayan societies ceased to exist due to forced labour, warfare, disease, emigration and out marriage. After the Lucayan population was eliminated, the Bahamian islands were virtually unoccupied until the English settlers came from Bermuda in 1647 and settled on the island of Eleuthera.
In 1718 the Bahamas became a British crown colony. Some 8,000 loyalists and their slaves moved to the Bahamas in the late 1700s from New York, Florida and the Carolinas. Slavery was ended in the Bahamas in 1834 and this led to many slaves fleeing the USA and making a dangerous crossing of the Atlantic for the promise of a free life in the Bahamas. In 1964 the British made the Bahamas self-governing. And in 1973, the Bahamas became fully independent, but remained a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
The culture of the Bahamas is a mix of African and European influences. This can be seen in the islands music and different styles include; junkanoo, rake and scrape, calypso and a unique form of hymnal. Marching bands are also an important part of life and are heard playing at funerals, weddings and other ceremonial events.
In the less developed outer islands of the Bahamas, known as the "Out Islands" or "Family Islands", regattas are important social events. They usually comprise one or more days of racing by old-fashioned workboats and combine an onshore festival. The Bahamas also have festivals associated with the local traditional crop or food, such as the "Pineapple Fest" in Gregory Town, Eleuthera or the "Crab Fest" on Andros.
Currency: US Dollars and US$ travellers cheques can be used. Major credit cards may be accepted in hotels, restaurants and some shops.
Abaco is a major centre for yacht charter in the Bahamas. Here a full service marina is home to many charter yachts. Fuel, water, ice, laundry and shower facilities are all available. You can also provision the yacht here. Fly to Abaco from Florida's Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami airports. Your charter yacht is just five minutes from airport.
There are several modern marinas in the Bahamas.
The main cruising area for yacht charters comprises Great Abaco and Little Abaco, along with a delightful string of sandy cays just to the east. Begin in the centre at quaint Man-O-War Cay.
The beach at Treasure Cay is one of National Geographic's Top 10!
Great snorkelling and a Marine Park are to be found at Fowl Cay.
Green Turtle Cay is known for its cultural appeal with its museum, sculpture gardens, and fine dining at the Green Turtle Club. Visible for miles is the historic lighthouse of Hope Town, a candy-striped sentinel on the southeastern reef.
South to the Pelican Cays National Park you' will enjoy extensive colourful coral and sea life. Giant starfish can be seen scattered along the sandy bottom for miles.
St Thomas Yacht Charter
In the summer the prevailing wind is the infamous Meltemi from the NW ? WNW. July and August sees the winds at their strongest, force 5 ? 6 on the northern coast but more often a more gentle force 3 ? 4. The spring and autumn sees winds form the south, force 2 ? 4. The southern coast is notorious for strong squalls the blow down from the mountains. There is little in the way of warning and they can be violent close inshore. It gets very hot on the island during the summer months with the average daily temperature reaching 35 deg C in July and August and temperatures as high as 40 deg C are not uncommon.
Nisis Gramvousa lies off Crete's S coast. There is a sheltered bay on the SE side of the island. Yachts can anchor in the bay or go bows to the quay. There are no facilities but water is available fro a well by the chapel
Palaiokhora is near the SW tip of Crete. Go alongside or bow or stern to in the new harbour on the E side of the rocky headland. Or anchor in either of the two bays to the E and W of the headland depending on the winds direction. There is water and fuel in the village and all provisions can be obtained. The tavernas here are good.
There are anchorages on either side of Ak Mouros. Ormos Loutra to the E where a yacht can anchor of the village and Ormos Foinikias to the W. There are a few tavernas and limited provisions can be obtained in the village.
Further to the W is Skafion. Yachts can anchor of the village in calm weather. There are tavernas ashore and all provisions can be found. The once tiny village is now a booming tourist resort
At Ay Galini yachts can go bow or stern to or alongside the quay. There is good holding on the sandy bottom and shelter from the Meltemi. There is water on the quay and fuel in the town. All provisions can be obtained and there are good tavernas. Another recently developed tourist resort.
Matala is a horseshoe shaped bay on the W side of Ak Latinos. Yachts should only use it in calm weather. Most provisions can be obtained and there are good tavernas ashore. Matala is mentioned in Homer's Odyssey. Here Menelau's ships were wrecked returning from the Trojan wars. It was an important port in Roman times.
Kali Limenes is a small bay on the E side of Ak Litinos. Yachts can anchor in the bay in depth of 3 ? 6m. There is good shelter from the N and W but it is open to the E and S. Limited provisions can be found in the village and there are a few tavernas.
Lerapetrais a medium sized harbour. Yachts can go bow or stern to on the N or W sides. There is water on the quay and fuel from the town. All provisions may be obtained and there are good waterfront tavernas. The town and harbour date back to Minoan times but sadly little of the ancient architecture remains.
Yachts can anchor in the large sandy bay of Kato Zakros. There are a couple of tavernas ashore but the main attraction is the ruins of a Minoan palace at the foot of the dramatic gorge.
Ormos Grandes is a large bay on the N side of Ak Plaka. Yachts can seek shelter from the Meltemi at Kouremenos in the N of the bay. 2 miles to the N of Kouremenos is Vai. Here yachts can anchor of the sandy beach and there are tavernas ashore.
Crete's cuisine is similar to that found throughout the Aegean. Fish plays a large part in the form of tuna, swordfish, sea bass, urchins, octopus, squid and cuttlefish. You will find beef, pork, lamb and goat. A rabbit stew is a speciality. As is cheese pie and fried cheese (staka). For those with a sweet tooth try yogurt and honey tarts (kaltzounia). Cretan wine is fairly good.
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