Fall Brings Seasonal Closings

Seasonal closings begin in September and last until mid-November, causing a noticeable dearth of festivals and events at many venues throughout The Bahamas. This is a traditional time for maintenance, refurbishing, stocking supplies for the winter season’s influx of mariners and visitors, and planning for attendance at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in October. If you’re gearing up to cruise and island-hop this fall and winter and plan for family and friends to visit, keep a check on updates from Travel Bahamas, the official site of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (MOTA)—especially for the deals and packages on hand. Announcements are frequent with several new air options usually available. bahamas.com/deals-packages

Hope Town
Brigitte Bowyer Carey—one of this quaint settlement’s esteemed, award-winning artists—is giving a watercolor workshop November 10-12 (Monday-Wednesday) from 10AM to 4PM at the Hummingbird Cottage Art Centre in Hope Town. Reserve your space now as Carey’s classes are extremely popular and sell out quickly. Her unusual seascapes, landscapes and travel sketches are collected by the likes of novelist Pat Conroy, Mr. & Mrs. Sean Connery and Mr. Michael Gore, former High Commissioner to The Bahamas. bowyerart@gmail.com.

Grand Bahama
The Bahamas government plans to create two new national parks in east Grand Bahama that will include the approximate 280,000 acres of the North Shore (The GAP) Marine Protection Area, and the 12,500-plus acres of the East End Marine Protection Area (currently East Grand Bahama National Park south of Sweetings’ Cay). Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett recently said the proposed areas would receive special protection to allow fishing, diving, boating, and other recreational and commercial activities. Dorsett also said the Lucayan National Park and the Peterson Cay National Park are under consideration for expansion.

The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. Photo: Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

Nassau

The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB)—the premiere arts institution—is currently showcasing the extraordinary art of Eddie Minnis and family. Over 100 paintings from the 1960s to the present in the collection titled “A Retrospective” will be on display in the main gallery. Cruisers to North Eleuthera (Current) and Abaco (Marsh Harbour) will recognize this talented family because of their well-known galleries located on both islands. The exhibit will close Sunday, November 30th. Gallery hours are by appointment only. NAGB contact: (242) 328-5800/1; nagb.org.bs. Minnis family contact: (242) 322-2605; eddieminnis.com

Exuma
Staniel Cay Yacht Club (SCYC) has announced major dining renovations that will result in limited facility use. In order to improve service and take advantage of the beautiful view of the water over Jameson Bay, the kitchen is relocating to the back dining room’s current location. Breakfast, dinner and bungalows at the resort will be closed from September 16th through November 1st to complete this project. The marina, fuel dock, lunch (daily grill-out at the marina), ice, garbage, bar (drinks only), gift shop, liquor store, and Wi-Fi internet will remain open. Call (954) 467-6658 or (242) 355-2024. stanielcay.com

A descendant of the original Abaco Loyalists is reviving the spirit of Hope Town by embracing the history of the Abacos in a throwback to the old days with a new rum company. Photo: Robert Bethel

Abaco
Jacob Adams Rum, an outstanding 10-year-old West Indies barrel-aged, blended rum has arrived in Abaco. This liquor is hand-bottled by the very first Abaco rum company—the Hope Town Rum Company out of Elbow Cay and is now available throughout The Bahamas in fine rum shops and restaurants. Mark your cruising calendar for May 2015 and the Grand Opening of the boutique merchandise store Gillam Street Goods that will offer Jacob Adams rum cakes and custom-labeled bottles. The boutique shop will be housed in a restored, former-Loyalist home circa 1880s, which is surrounded by a white picket fence within the heart of this beautiful settlement village. Contact the proprietor, Robbie Bethel, at (242) 577-8533. jacobadamsrum.com

Air Updates
For cruisers who expect guests or supply shipments to arrive via air, pay attention to these updates:
• Silver Airways (formerly Continental Connection) is currently promoting outstanding value packages to the Abacos. Call (888) 229-9990. silverairways.com
• Watermakers Air now flies to Great Harbour Cay in the Berry Islands from the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Executive airport. They also fly to Chub Cay; Congo Town, Fresh Creek, and San Andros in the Andros; and Staniel Cay in the Exumas. Call (954) 771-0330. watermakersair.com
• SkyBahamas has increased flight services between Bimini and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) three days a week—Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. They currently offer flights between Bimini and Nassau, and between Bimini and Freeport every day except Tuesdays and Saturdays, with continued service on to Fort Lauderdale and return flights back on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. skybahamas.net

Cruiser Notes
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) reports the following changes to Marsh Harbour Marina Day Beacons:
• Day Beach 1 is destroyed
• Day Beacon 2 marker has improper characteristics
• Day Beacon 4 marker is missing
Visit this link to view improved NOAA Obstructions and Wrecks charts, including Straits of Florida and Approaches: nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/hsd/wrecks_andobstructions.html.

Sandra Davis, Southern Boating September 2014

The temperature is rising, and days have gotten longer. With the U.S. 4th of July and the 41st Anniversary of The Bahamas Independence July 10th on the calendar this month, you’ll find over 30 events throughout the islands: boating flings, Junkanoo Jump Ups, flag raising ceremonies, Bahamas Royal Police Force Band concerts, small regattas, fish fries, and homecoming parties with local vocalists and bands. Your best bet is to pick a favorite island and just go. Here are a few festivals close to the U.S. mainland.

Abaco
Not sure what to plan for the 4th of July? The Abaco Beach Resort hosts a spectacular weekend celebration that includes a BBQ, beach bonfire, music, crab races, and over-the-top fireworks display. Call (242) 367-2158 to reserve a slip in the marina and to receive special event ticket pricing. abacobeachresort.com

Put the 3rd Annual Goombay Summer Festival at the Seaspray Resort in White Sound, Elbow Cay, Abaco, on your festival cruising list July 3-17 and the 31st. Featured attractions include music, food, a Junkanoo rush-out, and local crafts. Sea Spray Marina is one of the more protected marinas in Abaco providing easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and the Sea of Abaco. The marina can accommodate a variety of vessels up to 120 feet long drawing up to 7 feet. Call (242) 366-0065 or (717) 718-8267 while in the U.S. email info@seasprayresort.com, or go to seasprayresort.com/marina.html. If you’re docked in Marsh Harbour, Albury’s Ferry provides a water taxi service from mainland Abaco to Elbow Cay. Call (242) 367-0290. alburysferry.com

While you’re in Elbow Cay there’s a must-see in the tiny village of Hope Town located in the center of town behind the post office—the noted Hummingbird Cottage Art Centre. It opened last year after exhaustive work was done to its historically significant building and is now one of the most charming Loyalist cottages in the Hope Town settlement. The Hummingbird is home to works by celebrated artists and award-winning international spotlight artists such as Amos Ferguson—“Paint by Amos”—The Bahamas’ most famous native painter. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:30AM to 5PM, and they close the end of August for a month or so. Private appointments are available. Call (242) 366-0272. hopetownart.com

Hope Town is also great for specialty galley provisioning at foodie spots such as Vernon’s Grocery & Upper Crust Bakery located on the corner of Lover’s Lane and Back Street. Cruisers in the know call in advance to reserve Vernon’s special delights. Otherwise, expect a long line at the front door. Vernon’s is famous for fresh-daily baked breads and delicious homemade pies—Key lime pie is still the best seller. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 8AM to 6PM. Call (242) 366-0037 or channel 16 on the VHF.

Berry Islands
Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, this Goombay Summer Festival is held at the Great Harbour Cay Marina on the 4th, 11th, and 18th showcasing the Bahamian cultural heritage with Rake n’ Scrape bands, dance groups, limbo, food, drink, local souvenir vending, a Junkanoo parade, and Goombay dancers each evening. Contact the Administrators Office at (242) 367-8291.

Great Harbour Cay Marina is under new management, nestled inside a serene harbor with 65 slips that can accommodate vessels up to 130-feet LOA drawing 8 feet. This “Hurricane Hole” is one of the most protected marinas in The Bahamas. Each slip has 30/50/100-amp shore power and water. Marina amenities include ice, showers, laundry, Wi-Fi internet access, pool bar and restaurant, 24-hour security cameras, liquor store, golf cart, and car rentals. Customs and Immigration is available at the marina. Call (242) 367-8005. greatharbourcay.com/webpages/marina.asp

You’ll find the Great Harbour Marina’s famous “burgers in paradise” beach bar—overlooking a gorgeous four-mile stretch of beach—handsomely remodeled and offering beach umbrellas, lounge chairs, dune buggies, and kayaks for rent. Hours are weekdays from 7:30AM to 6PM for breakfast and lunch, and weekends from 7:30AM to 9:30PM for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Cruisers visiting Great Harbour Cay have several dining options. The Rocky Hill Bar and Restaurant adjacent to the marina serves lunch and dinner every day of the week— international cuisine with a Bahamian twist, excellent cracked conch and pan-fried fish. Call (242) 367-8051. For a more local experience, head to Coolie Maes at Bullock’s Harbour offering authentic Bahamian dinners; sit outside to catch beautiful sunset views. Call Coolie Mae to place your order ahead of your arrival at (242) 367-8730. Carriearl Hotel located on the old golf course away from the beach also has a small restaurant with international fare—reservations are recommended. Open Thursday through Saturday and for Sunday brunch. Call (242) 367-8785.

Bimini
Just 50 nm from the U.S. mainland, the Biminis host several events in July beginning with the U.S. Independence Visitors Reception on July 4th. In appreciation of visitors to the island, a cultural exchange features Bahamian food, art, crafts, music on North Bimini, and a beautiful fireworks display on both North and South Islands. Contact the Bimini Tourist office at (242) 347-3529.

By Sandra Davis, Southern Boating July 2014

Tag: Sandra Davis

Fall Brings Seasonal Closings

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