Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Grand Bahama
Freeport Harbour, Port Lucaya Marina, Old Bahamas Bay Marina (West
End).
Great Inagua
Matthew Town.
Long Island
Stella Maris.
Mayaguana
Abraham's Bay.
New Providence
Nassau (any yacht basin).
San Salvador
Cockburn Town.
PERMITS
You'll require the regular documentation for foreign travel (see
Click here
)
. There is a $150
charge for each foreign pleasure vessel under 30ft, and a $300 charge for vessels longer
than 30ft with up to four passengers. Each additional person must pay $15. These charges
cover customs and immigration services as well as fishing and cruising permits.
You must have a separate import permit for any pets on board. Contact the
Department
of Agriculture
(
242-325-7413; fax 242-325-3960; Levy Bldg, E Bay St, Nassau) for
information .
MAPS, CHARTS & GUIDEBOOKS
You'll need accurate maps and charts for any voyage through the Bahamas' reef-infested
waters. British Admiralty charts, US Defense Mapping Agency charts and Imray yachting
charts are all accurate. You can order them in advance from
Bluewater Books & Charts
(
US 1-954-763-6533, 1-800-942-2583;
www.bluewaterweb.com
) .
No sailor should set out without the excellent
Yachtsman's Guide to the Bahamas
($48).
It provides detailed descriptions of just about every possible anchorage in the archipelago,
and lists information on marinas throughout the islands as well as other invaluable inform-
ation. Small sketch charts are
not
intended for use in navigation. It's available at bookstores
and marinas in the Bahamas or online from (
www.yachtsmansguide.com
)
.
Likewise, refer to Mathew Wilson's splendid
Bahamas Cruising Guide
($42), which is
available at good bookstores, and Julius Wilensky's
Cruising Guide to the Abacos and the
Northern Bahamas
($20). These and many other regional boating guides can be ordered
from
White Sound Press
( US 386-423-7880;
www.wspress.com
)
.
Waterproof Charts
( 800-423-9026;
www.waterproofcharts.com
)
publishes a series
of large-scale waterproof sectional charts of the Bahamas. The charts mostly show physical
features and are of limited use as travel maps. Larger-scale (11in by 17in) versions of the
