Sailing Abaco Bahamas
Fully crewed sailing charters…with a French touch
Bienvenue à bord!
Join Kiskeedee for a fabulous sailing adventure in the Abaco islands of the Bahamas. Discover these island gems, a true paradise for sailors and snorkelers! We know the islands inside and out and will show you the amazing beaches, reefs, local settlements, bars and restaurants.
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Our Abaco sailing charters are based out of Marsh Harbour, which is easily reached by air from several points in Florida such as Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando and West Palm Beach Florida. We will cruise the brilliant-blue Sea of Abaco and the surrounding string of island cays, a cruising ground of over 30 miles.
Sail the crystalline waters, laze on the sandy beaches (softest sand around!), snorkel the pristine reefs and visit the bustling settlements to shop, eat, walk and enjoy the sights. The itinerary is flexible – guided first by the weather and of course by your preferences. Learn more about the Abacos.
Itinerary and Activities
Your crew will welcome you on board Kiskeedee for orientation and then, time and weather permitting, we set off to find the first perfect anchorage for some swimming and snorkeling and then settle in for the night. The rest of your sailing trip will be guided by the weather and your preferences.
Most days begin by sailing to our chosen destination in the island chain. You can help hoist the sails, take the helm or sit back and relax. We are happy to show you the ropes. Try your luck trolling for fish as we sail or look out for dolphins or a turtle in the crystal-clear waters.
Snorkeling is the number one favorite activity. Abaco is known for its coral reefs. You’ll have a blast spotting sea turtles, rays and tropical fishes most any time you are in the water. Don’t forget to peek under the rocks to find the spiny lobsters!
Our “car” for the week is our inflatable dinghy powered by an outboard motor. We will ferry you back and forth to explore the sandy beaches and visit the local settlements. Anywhere we anchor you can jump in to enjoy the stunning water or paddle around in the kayak or the inflatable stand-up paddle board. We will spend each night at anchor and be back in port on the final night for departures the following morning.
Some Favorite Things to Do in the Abacos
Explore the Coral Reefs and Marine Life of the Abaco Marine Parks
Snorkel at Fowl Cay National Marine Park or Sandy Cay reef in the Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park provided seas are calm.
Lively Beach Bars, Pristine Beaches and the Coral Reef at Great Guana Cay
Visitors to Great Guana Cay love to hop between the buzzing Grabbers and famous Nippers Beach Bar and Grill to eat, drink and dance the afternoon away to island music while enjoying the amazing views over the turquoise waters. The reef is a short snorkel off the beach.
Visit Charming Hopetown Village and Elbow Reef Light
Tour the candy-striped lighthouse at Hopetown on Elbow Cay built in 1863, the last manually operated beacon in the world. You will be charmed by Hopetown, one of Abaco’s most picturesque villages.
Sunbathe and Relax on White Sand Beaches and Sandbars
The white sandbar known locally as Tahiti Beach is the perfect spot for splashing around in the shallow turquoise water, especially if you have kids on board. Grab a snack or a cold drink from the floating Thirsty Cuda. The sandbar is also close to the popular and delicious Firefly Bar and Grill. Abaco is also known for its crescent-shaped white beach at Treasure Cay. While there you can sample Florence’s mouth-watering cinnamon buns at Café La Florence.
Get to Know Quaint Man-O-War Cay, Known for Boat-Building
Man-O-War Cay is a traditional boat building community. Whether you are craving a seaside walk past charming homes, shops selling local handicrafts, some ice cream or a snack of the local favorite conch fritters, you will find it on this island. Here you can pick up a conch shell horn or sturdy yet beautiful canvas bags from the women who sew at the Albury Sail Shop. There is even a charming museum and coffee shop to give visitors a better idea about the island’s history.
Stop by Little Harbour for the Art Community and Beach Bar
Time and weather permitting, we can visit this small artist colony, home to the Johnston Art Foundry. Here, artists craft one-of-a-kind bronze sculptures, many inspired by sea creatures large and small. Later generations of the family still run the foundry and Pete’s Pub.
Life on Board
Kiskeedee is our 51’ classic cruising sailboat. There is plenty of space on deck for dolphin watching, sun-bathing, and soaking in the scenery as the wind fills the sails. A fully covered cockpit, which doubles as an outdoor lounging and dining area, provides shade or shelter if it rains. The aft deck shower is perfect for rinsing off after a dip.
The main interior is heavily teak-laden giving her that classic, warm feeling. Down below are two double cabins for guests, each with access to its own head. The salon area is spacious with cushioned seats, a dining table and a large galley. No air conditioning inside, but you don’t need it. Turn on the fans, open the many hatches, and let that ocean air flow through the cabin.
While on board, you will be treated to freshly prepared meals cooked in the French-style. Delicious home-made food is an important part of our crewed sailing charters and many of our guests remark upon how well they dined aboard Kiskeedee. Meals are served at your leisure and we love to include a “happy hour” as we watch the brilliant sunsets over the Sea of Abaco. You will, of course have the opportunity to try out the local fare at any of the numerous island restaurants – we will tell you our favorites.
Practical Information
Getting to Marsh Harbour
Direct flights to the Leonard M. Thompson International Airport (MHH) in Marsh Harbour are available from several commercial airlines departing from Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Daytona Beach and Nassau. Please note that some Florida departures are in the morning, which would mean an overnight stay in Florida if you are connecting from another city. You can always contact us if you need help planning your travel.
Taxis await all arriving flights at the airport and will take you to the Conch Inn Marina in Marsh Harbour, unless we make other arrangements with you prior to arrival.
A valid passport for each traveler is required by the Bahamian Government for entry into the Bahamas, and a valid passport is required by the U.S. Government for travel from the Bahamas to the United States.
Weather in the Abacos
Follow this link for a chart showing average air and water temperatures in the Abacos by month.
Communications
Cell phone and data service is available throughout the islands so there will always be the ability to communicate when necessary (check your service provider about roaming or other charges while in the Bahamas). We have WIFI on board and you will also find WIFI hotspots on most of the islands.
Money
The Bahamian dollar is equivalent to the US dollar and both currencies are accepted interchangeably. But don’t go home with the Bahamian dollars because you won’t be able to change them once you are back in the USA.
Safety and Medical Considerations
Living aboard a monohull sailing vessel can be physically demanding and you should be in good physical condition and health and not excessively overweight. To take advantage of the amazing snorkeling opportunities you should have good swimming skills and comfort swimming in an ocean (saltwater) environment. Inflatable swim vests are available for everyone to use. You will need to be able to get back on board the boat from the water using our swim ladder.
Please let us know if you have any medical condition requiring medication and be sure that you bring an adequate supply. It will be difficult or impossible to obtain many medications once in the Abacos and on board the boat.
We emphasize safety precautions and try to minimize risk of injury on or off the boat. Please note that while there are medical clinics and personnel in the Abaco islands for treatment of minor problems and injuries, in the case of a major medical emergency, you would likely need to be transported by air back to the United States or to Nassau for treatment. We highly recommend travel insurance that includes emergency medical transport.
Every guest is asked to sign a release from liability as well as an agreement to cover any medical expenses that may be incurred.
Motion Sickness
The Sea of Abaco is protected from the ocean swells by a chain of islands and the barrier coral reef. Sea sickness is rare here because of the flat seas. We don’t recommend taking sea sickness medication or arriving with a sea sickness patch unless you are extremely prone to sea sickness. The medications and patches have side effects including drowsiness and it is shame to miss out on activities that you would otherwise enjoy. You may want to pack Bonine or other medications “just in case.”
What to Bring
Once you have booked your charter, we will send you a useful packing list and additional details about your Bahamas Sailing Charter. We have snorkeling equipment on board if you choose not to bring your own. The water in March and April is cool and you may want to bring or rent wet suits to comfortably spend more time in the water.
Reservation Information
PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR PARTY
All Bahamas charters require reservations. Our standard Bahamas charter is 6 days/5 nights for 2 to 4 passengers in 2 double cabins (additional children possible). Please use the reservation inquiry form, or call or email us with the date or dates you are considering and the size of your party. We will confirm availability and rates. To reserve your dates, you will complete our charter agreement and pay a 50% deposit. Full payment is due 60 days before the departure date. Please read our terms for cancellations before making any payments.
Rates Include
- Captain, mate
- All on-board meals and most beverages
- Fuel, dinghy trips ashore
- Local taxes
- Use of snorkeling and fishing equipment, kayak and SUP
Not Included in the Rate
- Airfare to and from the Bahamas
- Airport transfers and other land transportation
- Some alcoholic beverages
- Meals on shore
- Marina fees if you choose to spend any additional nights docked in a marina
*Smoking is not permitted in the vessel.
Cancellations
For cancellations more than 90 days prior to the departure date, charterer will receive a refund of sums paid less a $250 cancellation fee. There will be no refunds for charters cancelled less than 90 days prior to the departure date (unless we are able to re-book the dates you have reserved, in which case we will refund amounts paid minus a $250 cancellation fee). When you book, we are holding the dates for you and not accepting other reservations for those dates. If the captain needs to cancel the charter for any reason, we will inform you by email or telephone and fully refund payments you have made to us. Full details of the cancellation policy are included in the agreement that you will sign upon reservation.
