Proposed itinerary

[BahamaBec]

Hello all - My friends and I have devoted many hours of study and planning for our trip this spring. We have already had a blast just with the planning stages.
I'd like to give you guys a rundown of the current version of our itinerary and see what you think:
Fly into Marsh Harbour and stay at the Conch Inn
Then get the boat and go to :
Manjack, Green Turtle, Treasure, Great Gauna, Little Harbour, HopeTown/ Tahiti Beach.
We will spend about a day each place and are splitting our nights up - some in Marinas, some on the water.
We do plan to be at Nippers on SUnday for the pig roast and can't wait to check out Pete's Pub. Wanted to go to Cracker Ps but think they might be closed the day we are there.
Please let me know what you think. This itinerary has been evolving since September and may not look anything like this by the time we get there - just wanted to throw it out there and see what "those in the know" think about it.
Thanks bunches
Becky

[dogfish]

Becky,
You are covering a lot of ground there on your trip. Getting north of Whale Cay may depend on the weather. My advice would be to stay flexible. Get-there-itis can make a vacation much less of a vacation. While we are there on Moorings boats we stay on the boat on the hook. Marinas are often loud. But some people love the marina life style so it is a to each his own type of choice.

-Doug

[BahamaBec]

Thanks - I was actually wondering about that. I have questioned our "planner in chief" and he assures me that he will be willing to just drop anchor and shut up if faced with a mutiny!
I think the good thing about all this is we will at least have some really good options to pick from - it will be interesting to see how much we actually do!!!!
Gotta see nippers and Pete's pub - beyond that, I just want to CHILL!!!!!!!!!!!!

[abacomah]

What day are you arriving in Marsh Harbour and what day are you picking up the boat? I think you said a week so what day do you need to be back in Marsh Harbour to return the boathttp://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/images/icons/icon9.gif These are very important details if you want to be at Nippers on Sunday and I think Pete's Pub has days you need to work around. He also used to do a casting on Thursday so maybe that's something to plan around too. Told you we would plan your itinerary for you!

Give us more details. Tells us the days.

dogfish is right. you have to be very flexible and realize that if you miss something because of the weather, too much fun the night before, etc, you will be backhttp://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif

[BahamaBec]

We are going Wed - to - Wed
Plan to hit Nippers on Sunday - Petes Pub on Monday
I know it looks a little breathless and maybe like we are rushing too much but I think we are all prepared to throw the plan out the window if it starts running us into the ground. We are just enjoying IMMENSELY thinking through all the things we can do. I don't know what we will do with our time after this trip is over - I guess start planning the next one!

[momshell]

Are you staying at Conch Inn the whole time, renting a live-aboard boat, or renting a place elsewhere? I think that you may not be able to get up to GTC ( depends on weather and the boat rental agreement) from MHH area. You can def. get to Guana, Little Harbor, Elbow, etc. As said before, be flexible- you might be so busy you don't actually get to enjoy your trip. We made that mistake 2 visits ago while we were showing some newbie friends all around. Pick a few highlights, like Nippers and Pete's, and then fill in the days as the weather and your energy allow- you will have less stress that way. You will have a fantastic trip no matter how many destinations your reach..it is far too pretty and relaxing all over Abaco not to have fun. Main thing we do is to take a picnic/cooler full of snacks, drinks, etc., each day so that if we end up on an unplanned secluded beach, we can just throw out the anchor and stay.

[abacomah]

We are going Wed - to - Wed
Plan to hit Nippers on Sunday - Petes Pub on Monday
I know it looks a little breathless and maybe like we are rushing too much but I think we are all prepared to throw the plan out the window if it starts running us into the ground. We are just enjoying IMMENSELY thinking through all the things we can do. I don't know what we will do with our time after this trip is over - I guess start planning the next one!
So you probably want to head north on Wednesday towards Green Turtle. Only do Green Turtle if the pass is OK. You can check that out every morning on the Cruiser's Net at 8:15. If you can't do the pass just stop in Treasure Cay and take in all of it for a day or two. You have so many options and so much flexibility with the chartered vessel (that's sounds more eloquent than "boat").

I don't know about going around the Whale with the boat you have chartered. I always stay inside on the Sea of Abaco in my rental boat. I'm sure other Members can help you there. You don't want to attempt the Whale to Green Turtle crossing on either side (Atlantic or Sea of Abaco) if there is a rage going on. You must check with the Cruiser's Net because it can be a beautiful calm day and there still be a rage from a storm up north.

Now, back to the planning. If there is not a rage you could head towards Green Turtle or go ahead up to Manjack then stop at Green Turtle on your way back towards Guana for Nippers on Sunday. So this is what I would do if weather permits.

Head north towards Treasure from Marsh Harbour. You'll hug the Abaco mainland side of the Sea of Abaco to get to Treasure. Guana will be off to your right across the Sea of Abaco.

Spend the night in Treasure and enjoy the beach on Thursday (you can walk to it from the marina). Have lunch at the Coco Bar and get a Pina Volda made by Viola. Tell her Abacomah sent you. If you like ceramics, rent a golf cart or take a short taxi ride just past the entrance to Treasure Cay and visit Abaco ceramics. Karen McIntosh from Green Turtle owns it and it's a wonderful place. She makes the stuff right there.

If you are into pizza, stay Thursday night in Treasure and go to Pizza Night. Chris the Burner plays Thursday nights too.

Friday morning head out towards Manjack, if the weather/rage allows. Spend the day at Manjack, heck spend the night but you must have all provisions if you spend the night there. That would be an "on the hook" night.

Head to Green Turtle and spend Saturday there. Now, depending on the forecast/rage head to Guana late Saturday afternoon or early Sunday. If you have to head out Saturday afternoon you'll miss a fun night in Green Turtle so you may want to stay Friday night in Green Turtle instead of "on the hook" at Manjack.

Get to Guana by Sunday 11AM for the pig roast.

After Pig Roast, depending on how many Nippers you have you may want to spend Sunday night "on the hook" in Guana, if you can make it to the hookhttp://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif Watch out for those Nippers. They creep up on you fast!

Head to Pete's Pub on Monday. If you are up to it head to Elbow/Hopetown on Tuesday, then back to Marsh Harbour on Wednesday.

Now, all this is doable, except the "on the hook" in the 23' rental boat. Other Members will have to comment on how long it takes to get from point A to B in your chartered vessel. I know it is dependent on seas, wind, etc...but just some estimates.

Man, I can already see that a week is not enough! Better just go ahead and add another week to your charterhttp://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/images/icons/icon12.gif

[BahamaBec]

Thanks so much - just the kind of feedback I was hoping for.
We are chartering a 45' boat (vessel, I guess, I am not the boater in the group- but I am learning!)
Sounds like we are probably ok with this float plan - the critical stops (nippers and petes - Sun and monday) are in the middle of our trip so we will have flexibiltiy on either side. The rest are just possibilities that we can do if time, weather and inclination allow. So glad to get your input.
Bec

[dogfish]

Becky,
It is always good to have a plan and to be ready to modify it at any time. We only take out a moorings cat from Wednesday to Sunday on a guy's fishing/snorkeling trip. Our current plan is this:

Wednesday: Arrive, off to provision, check out boat, and the make a bee-line to North Man-O-War channel. Troll offshore for an hour or so and maybe jig the drop-off on the way back. Then drop the hook near Scopley's Rocks early for am early dinner (hopefully fish).

Thursday: Wake early and head offshore out North Man-O-War channel. Troll all of the way down to Little Harbour (hopefully catching some fish). Spend the night on the hook outside little harbour.

Friday: Troll offshore north back to Tillo cut and do some jigging and bottom fishing there as well. Spend the night on the hook near the castle house on Tillo (favorite anchorage).

Saturday: Troll back to North Man-O-War and set the hook at Scopley's rocks again.

Each day of planned offshore trolling can be replaced with inshore trolling for mutton. Since we are flying in on a private plane we may be able to get out very early on Wednesday and may plan to troll to tillo. Snorkeling is planned after the hook is set but may trump fishing if the fishing is not good. By doing a loop that has both sea of abaco passages as well as offshore passages we can modify our plan but still hit some or all of teh high lights.

-Doug

[wregle]

I was excited as you are and had everything planned out. When we got there, it all went out the window!! Never knew what the day would "feel" like. Remain flexible is the main thing. We did our own boating so you do have an advantage there. One of the main things I wanted to do was go to Nippers but after getting to the Abacos and the laid back atmosphere, I changed my mind! I enjoyed not being around a lot of people! We will probably do that the next time. Don't try to get it all in, if you do you won't have an excuse to go back!! We loved Elbow and went over there almost daily. We didn't make it to GTC or Treasure. We loved Pete's Pub and the snorkeling along the way. I am anxious to hear how the charter is. That looks like a great way to do it! Have fun and don't be tied to a schedule. It will be the best trip you ever take!

[BahamaBec]

I may not have explained the boat well - we are going with 4 friends who go all the way back to high school ( a longgggg time ago) and one of them had aboat of his own for several years.( I think 52'???) They have gone all over New England and also done the BVI. So its extra cool - we dont' have to pay him :)
We are just going to pick up the boat and trust his expertise.
Its nice to have friends who know things!

[L0NG L00K 2]

Petes pub is only cool for about 5 min. If you go there stop back at snake cay on your way back! Often times there will be large rays swimming in the deep water at the entry to the bay. Watch the current there as the tide can cause the water to move fast. The bay is very shallow.

An idea if you really want to get to green turtle... (i think this works) Taxi to Treasure cay, Ferry to Green turtle? Expensive... Yes. Safe... Yes. The Whale cay passage can be pretty rough. Listen to cruisers net before you go. Also some rental companies dont want you going through the Whale cay passage.

[pelicanpete]

Petes pub is only cool for about 5 min. If you go there stop back at snake cay on your way back! Often times there will be large rays swimming in the deep water at the entry to the bay. Watch the current there as the tide can cause the water to move fast. The bay is very shallow.

An idea if you really want to get to green turtle... (i think this works) Taxi to Treasure cay, Ferry to Green turtle? Expensive... Yes. Safe... Yes. The Whale cay passage can be pretty rough. Listen to cruisers net before you go. Also some rental companies dont want you going through the Whale cay passage.The only modification I'd suggest to Long Look's idea is to rent a car for the day instead of using a taxi to get to Treasure Cay Ferry dock.
A taxi will charge $70 each way. You can rent a car for one day for a lot less plus it gives you the flexibility to see other places. For example, the blue hole near Treasure Cay. (They also rent scooters but I wouldn't recommend this as the ride to TC is a long way!).

[abacomah]

The only modification I'd suggest to Long Look's idea is to rent a car for the day instead of using a taxi to get to Treasure Cay Ferry dock.
A taxi will charge $70 each way. You can rent a car for one day for a lot less plus it gives you the flexibility to see other places. For example, the blue hole near Treasure Cay. (They also rent scooters but I wouldn't recommend this as the ride to TC is a long way!).How about this. Could they take their charter vessel to the Treasure Cay Green Turtle Ferry dock and leave it around there if the crossing is too bad. Maybe the ferry would swing by their vessel and pick them up and drop them back off at their vessel. I would think they could call the Green Turtle Ferry on the VHF (finally thought of a need other than the Cruiser's Net for the vhf).

Or if they are spending a few days in Treasure and are "on the hook" at the marina they could take a short taxi ride from Treasure to the Green Turtle Dock and catch the ferry. There are usually taxis in the parking area at the marina and also at the Green Turtle Ferry dock. If this route is used I would definitely stop at Abaco Ceramics on the way. I think their hours are 9-4 or something like that M-F.

So if the crossing is iffy because of weather or a storm up north you could base yourself at Treasure for a few days and hit Green Turtle and get Ossie to take you over to Guana to Nippers on Sunday. Ossie is based out of the Treasure Cay Marina. If the crossing is good go for it!

Long time ago you heard everything on the vhf - taxis, pick me up for a restaurant ..... now with phones there is so much less "talk" on it. I miss that.

[BahamaBec]

Great suggestion guys. I checked with our captain and our Whale passage is completely dependent on weather. So this is what I was looking for OPTIONS --- Yea!!! You guys are the best. Tell me more about the blue hole. Also, curious about the underwater parks and the "nature trail" on Manjack. I am really happy that we have planned the critcal stops in the middle of our trip - ie, Nippers and Petes and from what I can tell - we really can't miss if all we want is some sea and sand!!!!!

Do hope to see some rays somewhere along the way and do some snorkeling - sounds like odds are great for both.

[abacomah]

....
Do hope to see some rays somewhere along the way and do some snorkeling - sounds like odds are great for both.You're a newbie so I'll remind you. Learned this when I stayed in Florida on the Gulf earlier this year.

Be sure to do the stingray shuffle any time you are walking in the water. Shuffle your feet as you walk so you don't startle them. Can't remember the months so I just do it all the timehttp://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/images/icons/icon11.gif

There's a place on the Sea of Abaco side of Manjack where Brendal feeds them on a regular basis so they will come up to you. Brendal's on the yellow sidebar under Diving/Snorkel/ (http://oii.net/dive)Scuba (http://oii.net/dive) in the Green Turtle section. I'm sure someone on The Board knows how far up Manjack it is.

[Kathrine]

Ok, this is just me, but I wouldn't plan my trip around Nipper's and Pete's Pub! I think that since this is your first charter in Abaco, it would be good to research the area (which you have done) then pick a place to anchor for the FIRST night. I don't think you'll get an early start out of the charter base, so have a couple of options. Then, over dinner the first night out, consider the weather and then decide. You have a good handle on what is out there, but when you're looking at it on the water, you may change your mind! Again, given all the drop dead natural beauty and great anchorages, I wouldn't give a thought to being at a restaurant/bar on a "special" night. Just my 2 cents worth!! Ya'll are going to have a blast!

[Jerry S]

I believe that Lincoln Jones feeds them there on the North East of Manjack, not Brendal..

[abacomah]

I believe that Lincoln Jones feeds them there on the North East of Manjack, not Brendal..I have been out with Lincoln and yes he does feed them. More towards the middle of Manjack.

I have also been further up Manjack when Brendal has come by with his group and fed them. So I guess they both feed them ...... well fed Rays they arehttp://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif
Wonder who else feeds them and when, where? I'll go watchhttp://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/images/icons/icon6.gif Maybe we can have a Ladies Only Board Meeting and catch the Ray feedings!!!!!

[pelicanpete]

Great suggestion guys. I checked with our captain and our Whale passage is completely dependent on weather. So this is what I was looking for OPTIONS --- Yea!!! You guys are the best. Tell me more about the blue hole. Also, curious about the underwater parks and the "nature trail" on Manjack. I am really happy that we have planned the critcal stops in the middle of our trip - ie, Nippers and Petes and from what I can tell - we really can't miss if all we want is some sea and sand!!!!!

Do hope to see some rays somewhere along the way and do some snorkeling - sounds like odds are great for both.I found this link for you re. the Blue Hole. Hope it helps. It's a very interesting place. PP
http://oii.net/Journal/mar00/blue.shtml