The Bahamas offers some of the Caribbean's best sailing and yachting opportunities

The Bahamas is known as one of the top destinations for sailors in the Caribbean. Not far from the eastern coast of Florida in the U.S., these beautiful islands are easy to reach.

The Bahamas is also considered to be one of the top places for inexperienced sailors. They are both close to the U.S. mainland, and full of plenty of ports and easy-to-find sites. And, of course, the ocean in The Bahamas is nearly always sunny and warm.

Entry

Vacationers looking to sail themselves into a Bahamian port should be aware of several requirements. Sailors must clear Customs and Immigration in a Port of Entry. The two major ports are, of course, Freeport and Nassau. When entering the port, fly a yellow quarantine flag and notify Customs. Only the captain may leave the boat until Customs has been cleared. Everyone onboard must fill out an immigration card and will need the following documents:

• Passport or birth certificate (U.S. citizens) and official photo I.D. such as driver's license or voter registration card; and
• Proof of citizenship.

Travelers should also be aware of entry fees in The Bahamas. Boats up to 35 feet long will be charged a $150(USD) entry fee, while boats over 35 feet will pay $300(USD). These fees include a cruising permit, fishing permit, and departure tax for up to four people with no overtime charges for Customs or Immigration. An additional departure tax is charged for more than four passengers. Once you have been cleared, lower the quarantine flag and raise your cruising pennant.

Business hours for Bahamas Customs and Immigration Officers are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is no overtime charge, and officers are on call during holidays and weekends. For additional travel information, check with the Port Authority Department in Nassau at 242-322-1596 or 242-326-7354.

Ports of Entry

Travelers coming into the islands can enter through any of the following ports, listed by island or island group within The Bahamas:

Caution

Before you set sail, be aware of some of the Caribbean's most important safety issues. Sailors need to be aware of coral reefs, especially around islands, and watch for unfavorable Trade Winds.

You'll also need to consider ocean currents, stronger in the Atlantic than the Caribbean. Since The Bahamas is not officially a Caribbean chain, they are all located in the Atlantic. Sailors will usually find the strongest currents and largest waves on the northern and eastern sides of the islands.

Don't forget the season - Caribbean high season overlaps with the winter sailing season, and travelers will find higher prices throughout the islands of The Bahamas. However, hurricane season and summer rains also overlap, and may be avoided by less experienced sailors.

Choosing a Bahamas Charter

Most often chartered by the week from within or near the Caribbean, yachts can be chartered as "bareboat," "skippered bareboat," or "crewed charter."

Bareboat is the option for the serious - and experienced - sailor. These rentals some with all of the equipment you'll need, but no crew. Bareboat rentals will require travelers to prove their qualifications. Travelers will often be given tutorials of the region that include known reefs and safe harbors.

Occasionally charter companies will decide that a prospective sailor isn't ready to take a yacht out on his or her own. They may insist that you travel with a skipper for at least the first few days of your journey. When this happens it is as though you had decided to charter a skippered bareboat yourself - the skipper will lend his knowledge and skill to your journey, and you are responsible for paying him a daily rate.

Chartering a crewed yacht to sail to The Bahamas means you'll have a captain and full crew, including a cook. However, remember that the captain is the one in charge of both your and the yacht's safety during your travel. You will decide on the itinerary, but the captain may need to alter the route for safety purposes should weather or other obstacles come in the way.

Most charters also offer the option of having them provide food for your journey. This can be more expensive than buying the food yourself, but also more convenient. Don't forget: You're in charge of feeding everyone onboard, from yourselves to the skipper and crew.

Charter Companies

There are two ways to divide charter companies within the Caribbean, and each of these means something different to experienced charterers.

The most popular large yacht charter companies currently serving the Caribbean region are The Moorings and Sunsail.

Charter Brokers

The most important aspect of booking a crewed charter is your compatibility with the crew, and brokers are often the most convenient way to find a compatible crew. Brokers can also help travelers find rates on bareboat chaters. Like travel agents, brokers can provide quotes from different companies, but the owner pays for the broker's services - not the traveler.

Members of top charter broker trade organizations, American Yacht Charter Association (AYCA) and Charter Yacht Broker's Association (CYBA), include the following outfits.

In the Caribbean:

In Florida:

Choosing a Yacht

There are a few more considerations before you make your final decisions:

• For comfort and convenience, choose a boat with one more cabin than you expect to use.

• Catamarans are generally better for families because they do not experience as much roll in port, are safer for young children, and can have more comfortable cabins. First-time sailors and those prone to seasickness should also consider these.
  

• The most popular size bareboats are three cabin/two bath monohulls, which range in size from 36 to 50 feet, however, the thin plywood walls on these lightweight ships are far from soundproof.
  

• Many charter companies and boats have a power windlass available to help you anchor - you may want to ask about the availability of this invaluable tool.

• Canvas tops over the cockpit help prevent sunburn.

• The larger the ship and the more amenities onboard, the more costly your charter will be.

• Bareboats will not always have kayaks or windsurfs, or electronic extras such as GPS. Inquire about the availability and cost of these additions.

Costs and Paperwork

Before you jump in, consider the costs of chartering a yacht: Crewed charters are more expensive than bareboat charters, and the crew should be tipped. However, travelers to The Bahamas often feel that such charters are worth the extra cost, as plenty of extras are often included on the boat. Scuba and kayak equipment, as well as Remember that, with an onboard chef, you'll never have to cook, but you'll need to supply the food.

If you're taking a bareboat with a skipper, remember they'll have their own fee - usually around $80(USD) to $120(USD) per day. Tipping on a crewed charter should be at a rate of approximately 10 to 15 percent of the total cost of the charter. These tips make up approximately 30 to 50 percent of a crew's income, so they are an important budget concern for travelers.

Off-season charters will cost less, but for bareboat charterers the cost of a yacht can be less than that of a mid-level resort if two or more couples travel together. And airfare will make a difference in the cost if you're chartering from the islands or a location far from home. And, of course, don't forget customs duties and possible luggage fees.

Don't forget to read the fine print on anything you sign. Deposit and insurance fees are sometimes added to the cost of a charter. To avoid mistakes and problems such costs can be put on a credit card. And, of course, the company's cancellation policy is also important - most charterers do not refund travel within 60 days of the departure.

Set sail for a customized Bahamas charter trip, with a crew or on your own, and with just the necessities or all the extras.

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