Transport - The Bahamas - page 478

MAIL BOAT
The term 'mail boat' usually refers to the cargo freighters that travel between the Bahamian
islands. Only one company offers passenger service to the United States aboard its cargo
ships:
MailBoat Company ( 242-394-0847; www.mailboatbahamas.com ) Runs slow, cargo-
filled mail boats between Nassau, Freeport and Florida ($50 one-way).
YACHT
The sheltered waters of the 750-mile-long archipelago attract thousands of sailors each
year. Winds and currents favor the passage south. Sailing conditions are at their best in
summer, though you should keep fully abreast of weather reports, as summer is hurricane
season. Use VHF channel 16 for emergencies and most other communications.
CUSTOMS
You must clear customs and immigration upon arrival in the Bahamas. For details of each
port's marinas, see the destination chapters. Your crew and guests will each need either a
passport or birth certificate (a driver's license is not proof of citizenship). You'll need to
clear customs again upon arrival at each island. It's a hassle, but the Bahamas' drug prob-
lem is such that you should be sympathetic to this policy. Anticipate the possibility of being
boarded and searched by the US or Bahamian coast guard.
Details of official requirements are given in the Yachtsman's Guide to the Bahamas (see
opposite).
Specified marinas on each island are designated ports of entry (you may not enter at any
other place):
Abacos Green Turtle Cay, Treasure Cay, Marsh Harbour, Spanish Cay, Walker's Cay.
Andros Congo Town, Fresh Creek, San Andros.
Berry Islands Chub Cay, Great Harbour Cay.
Biminis Alice Town, South Bimini, Cat Cay.
Cat Island Smith's Bay, New Bight, Bennett's Harbour.
Eleuthera Governor's Harbour, Harbour Island, North Eleuthera, Rock Sound, Spanish
Wells.
Exumas George Town, Moss Town.