Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
your own food and drinks. Most charter boats require a 50% deposit (if you cancel, you
should do so at least 24 hours before departure to avoid losing your deposit). Some operat-
ors keep half the catch. Discuss terms with the skipper before setting out.
HIKING
A few wildlife reserves have tracks, while several islands have tracks that were originally
cut by lumber companies.
Always carry plenty of water and insect repellent, especially in summer, plus a small
first-aid kit when hiking in remote places. Rarely will you be far from a settlement. The
limestone terrain is too treacherous to permit you to walk off the track safely, as thick ve-
getation hides sinkholes and crevasses. Be especially wary of clifftops, which are often un-
dercut and can give way easily.
A few tour operators offer a mix of kayaking, snorkeling and hiking tours in Grand Ba-
hama's Lucayan National Park (
Click here
). In the Abacos, several outfitters offer guided
hiking in Abaco National Park,and Bahamas Outdoors (
Click here
) has walking tours of
the New Providence's central coppice forest. See those island chapters for more details.
There are hunters in Great Abaco's and Andros' backcountry seeking wild boar. Beware!
Consider hiring a hunter as a guide.
Cat Island has some of the best hiking. The Fernandez Bay Village resort (
Click here
)
is
a good starting point; the owners can provide maps and even a guide, if required.
On Great Inagua, trails lead into Bahamas National Trust Park (
Click here
)
, a semi-arid,
rugged landscape with fabulous birdwatching.
KAYAKING
Miles and miles of creeks and flats provide wonderful entrances to the redolent world of
the mangroves and wetlands of Grand Bahama and the Family Islands.
Many hotels and resorts rent kayaks or provide free use for guests. And several tour op-
erators are now introducing kayaking as an organized activity.
Guided excursions are offered in the Caicos, Abacos and Grand Bahama. See the island
chapters for contact information. The Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park (
Click here
) is a par-
ticularly good destination for kayaking.
WATER SPORTS, SURFING & WINDSURFING
Most resort hotels either include water sports in their rates or offer them as extras. On offer
are all kinds of beach and water sports, such as parasailing, waterskiing, and windsurfing.
Typical rates are: sailboards $20 per hour; jet skiing $75 for 30 minutes; for a 15-minute
banana boat ride $30 per person; parasailing $70 per hour; windsurfing $75 per hour; sail-
ing $90 per half-day; and kayaks rent for $15 per hour.
For surfers seeking the ultimate wave, look elsewhere. There are a few spots on the Ba-
hamas' east coasts, however, where surfers can find decent Atlantic waves, notably Surfer's
