Less import duty, more Wi-Fi

Wind often whistles through the Bahamas in March, which usually isn’t a problem unless it’s from the north or northeast—the directions that make crossings difficult and rages occur at passes. We got down to the Bahamas in January and want to share a few navigational items for those who are planning a trip. Let’s begin by noting that VHF channels 68 and 18 are the ones marinas monitor here.

Chub Point Light

The flashing light at Lower Chub Point, Chub Cay, near 25° 24.4 N/77° W was found extinguished on November 29, however, the flashing red and green lights on the Chub Cay Club channel markers are still working and the channel is easy.

Bimini Channel

One lone green buoy remains marking the channel entrance into North Bimini. It’s easy to go to the waypoint (from Explorer Chartbook Near Bahamas 5th edition) and keep the buoy to port for a straightforward entry. Although the buoys have not been maintained, the channel itself has not changed; it is a good entrance and good place to clear Customs.

Near Bahamas Tips

On Bimini, the Bimini Breeze is closed but CJ’s deli has reopened on the hill overlooking the beach along with new snack bars Honey Buns and Sherri’s Beach Bar.  For a most delightful afternoon, tour the Dolphin House on North Bimini. Owner/curator/architect/writer Ashley Saunders will give you a tour of his amazing house, hotel, museum and gift shop. He takes great pride that his structure is built of scrap tile, shells and beachcombing treasures. And while you’re viewing the artistry, he’ll share the history of Bimini and its people.

North Rock Light

North of North Bimini, the North Rock Light was reported not working in January 2010.  The Bahamas is no longer charging duty on engine, transmission, or prop parts for a vessel with a cruising permit, including a dinghy outboard as long as it was listed on your original cruising permit. However, repair parts will be subject to a $10 Stamp Tax. No brokerage agent is required. It is helpful if you send a copy of your cruising permit to the company shipping parts and ask them to affix three copies of the cruising permit on the outside of the box, along with your phone number on the shipping label so that Customs can call you when the parts arrive. We used this procedure ourselves and we were called when the package arrived and had no fees to pay, thanks to the cruising permit and proper description of contents on the form.
Wi-Fi rates seem to have gone up this year. So far there are reports of oii.net in the Abacos at $40/week and Exuma Wi-Fi at $10/day or $25/3 days. Same Old Place in Barraterre on Great Exuma now offers wi-fi free to patrons. To get there, go up the hill from the dock, turn right and follow the road for about 500 feet, order a Kalik, turn on your laptop and check your e-mail.   Bimini Bluewater Marina charges a flat $10 for wi-fi for your stay; Seacrest Marina provides free wi-fi to guests; however, service seems to come and go in Bimini. The new Bimini MalMart (rhymes with Walmart) offers a cyber café in the back of the shop. In Rock Sound, you’ll find a connection at Dingle Motors Esso Station for $8/day. In George Town, Gaviota Bay Wi-Fi from St. Francis is working sometimes; Harbor Wi-Fi not at all. J & K Computers (by Corner Laundry) offers access on your computer or theirs, plus inexpensive phone calls to the States. Exuma Markets and Peace & Plenty have wi-fi as well

Abaco

Cherokee Sound on Great Abaco is a lovely place to spend a few days. The anchorage at Little Bay (right inside the point) was reported secure even during a frontal passage. It was bumpy but the anchors held very well in sand. The famous Long Dock is completed, people are friendly, the store is stocked with whatever you need, and the water is beautiful.

Exumas

Cruisers have been heading toward George Town for the annual Cruisers’ Regatta March 1-13 and those who arrived early have been setting up their own races in Exuma Sound. The season will culminate in the races of the 30th Anniversary Cruisers’ Regatta. Visit the Regatta website for more information: georgetowncruising.com.

In other George Town news, we discovered George Town Marine & Repair closed at the end of last year and the Tourist Office is now located at Turnquest Star Plaza. The bridge from Great Exuma to Crab Cay has been completed and is now open for boat traffic traversing from the Red Shanks anchorage to George Town with a reported clearance of 15-17 feet.  Garbage and trash remain a big issue. The only free place to put trash is in the dumpster located on the Government Dock.
We found some new places, too: The February Point “Bamboo Grill” serves Bahamian with European flair. There is a new business operating from a truck next to Exuma Markets called “Come and Get It.”  They sell bread, pizza, guava duff, and hot dogs. Eddie’s Edge Water is open again with Rake and Scrape on Mondays and BBQ Fridays.

Far Bahamas: Acklins

Here’s some good news. . . repair work is soon to commence on the roads on Acklins. This will be the first repairs and resurfacing since Prime Minister Ingraham was last in office, so you can imagine how much this is needed.

Lomg Island

The new dinghy dock at the Long Island Breeze Resort on Salt Pond is a convenient spot for boaters to come in to shore this season. Last spring saw the largest influx of cruisers to Long Island in years and many cruisers who drifted over after the regatta said they found the Salt Pond area preferable to George Town.

Eleuthera

The bay at Rock Sound offers good protection from almost any wind angle. Cruisers who recently spent two nights on the hook about 600 yards off the town pier at Rock Sound and were pleasantly surprised by their experience there. They found very solid holding with a Bruce anchor, and on their first visit into town discovered that the pier closest to the white church has been partially rebuilt with solid wooden ladders for a nice dinghy tie-up. Locals gather there and will answer your questions, or you can even pick up a fresh fish fillet on the way back to your boat. The small dock off Dingle Motors is very shallow and rocky, especially at low tide. There is no fuel available at the docks, you have to lug it out in jerry cans, but the folks at Dingle Motors Esso station are very friendly and helpful. Dingle’s also offers basic groceries, hardware and rental cars. About a mile north is a fairly new shopping center, The Market Place, with a Scotiabank ATM, full grocery, liquor and hardware stores. There are also some great local restaurants including Sammy’s place and Four Points Restaurant.
You’ll find Eleuthera is a refreshingly active place and the South Eleuthera airport is a great place for crew to fly in and out. There’s a new Rotary Club that meets Thursday for dinner. Near Powell Point at the southwest end of the island is the private Deep Creek Middle School where Joanna Paul, a Rotarian and former inner-city Los Angeles high school principal, is running a great program for local kids. A few miles toward Powell Point on the grounds of Cape Eleuthera Resort and Yacht Club is the Island School, a fascinating one-term program for approximately 75 U.S. high school students that offers comprehensive marine environmental training and research. The school and the Cape Eleuthera Institute (ceibahamas.org) offer tours, which can be arranged by hailing them on VHF 16.

Explorer Chartbook Chatter Site For Cruisers

There is a new “Bahamas Chatter” for cruiser-to-cruiser interchange as well as for postings of updates and changes in the Bahamas by the Explorer Team, headed by Sara and Monty Lewis. Check the Explorer website at explorercharts.com to post and comment.