BootsnAll Travel Community

I am starting this thread to discuss the islands Americans generally do not get to. Over 90% of Americans go to Nassau, and many of them go to (shudder) Atlantis. Few venture further, and that is a real shame: the outer Bahamas are some of the most interesting islands in the world, and the waters in those places are among the most varied and beautiful in the world (they get my vote for #1, Micronesia included).

I am going to post on several islands over the next couple of weeks. I will cover Eleuthera, Long Island, the Exuma group, Andros, Ragged, Abaco and Great Inagua. First up: Long Island, before the end of the week.

I'll also mention that I am headed to Great Inagua and Mayaguana for the month of April, and hope to link up with a friend's boat and sail to Cuba-a short 50 miles from Great Inagua.

Salmo,
Are you sailing between the islands? Let me know what you think of the Tongue of the Ocean between Andros (my former home) and Nassau. Have a great trip and drink a Kalik Gold for me.

Last I looked into this, the biggest problem is that the other islands are difficult to get to.....so short of hiring a sailing vessel, how do you get there?

There is air service to all the islands, but some only run once or twice a week.

HOw much does this air service cost, and what are the costs of these isolated islands. Will a tent and cookstove work, or do you still pay resort style prices on a lower level?

I'm keeping an eye on this one!



All ears... that doesnt happen often...

Try the WesternAir website for flights around the Bahamas. There is also a FastFerry that goes between some of the islands (Exumas, Eleuthera, Andros, Nassau, etc.) I have never heard of needing permits for the more isolated islands, but I am more familiar with Andros, Nassau, Eleuthera, and the Exumas. Sorry I don't have websites of above, but they are easily Googable.

here is the Ferry site, for those interested.

http://www.bahamasferries.com/

its 75 dollars round trip between two 'random' islands for an adult without a vehicle. I don't know the islands well enough to know if it can go higher.

Air travel:

http://airtravel.thebahamian.com/

San Andros

Andros Town

Mangrove Cay

Congo Town

Bimini

Freeport

Nassau

These are the offices

-------------------------------------------------

Between Round Trip One Way Excursion (Day Trip)
Nassau - San Andros $120.00 $60.00 $100.00
Nassau - Andros Town $120.00 $60.00 $100.00
Nassau - Mangrove Cay $120.00 $60.00 $100.00
Nassau - Congo Town $120.00 $60.00 $100.00
Nassau - Andros Kids Rate $60.00 $30.00
Nassau - Bimini $150.00 $75.00 $130.00
Nassau - Bimini Kids Rate $100.00 $50.00
Nassau - Freeport $180.00 $90.00 $150.00
Nassau - Freeport Kids Rate $110.00 $55.00
Nassau - Freeport Business Express $140.00 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – limited seats available certain restrictions apply.

These are the prices and trips. It is not exactly backpacker grade, though vacationers and travellers with a healthy budget might find it possible.

http://www.westernairbahamas.com/fares.html

You could always jetski to Bimini. My buddy did all the way from the Florida coast to there with a boat following. When he and another guy got there, the immigrations folks thought he was crazy. I, on the other hand, know he is!

<<You could always jetski to Bimini. My buddy did all the way from the Florida coast to there with a boat following.>.

Jet skis in paradise: \
Another reason to keep the death penalty.

I have been delayed on the Long Island report, but it is coming soon...

quote:

Originally posted by salmo99:
Jet skis in paradise: \
Another reason to keep the death penalty.

It is a good indicator for me if it is my kind of place. If they have jet skis for rent...it isn't.

I've been holding my breath......

By the way, there was a major article on some of the Bahamian family islands (Eleuthera, Andros and Exuma) in the Sunday travel section of the NY Times. It is, of course, targeting high end travelers but there is some good information therein.

If you have the title/authors name I can see about finding a copy online.

(The wonders of an online university library...)

May has rolled around... How did the trip go?