Best sailing charter itinerary ?

[Herve]

I would welcome suggestions on the best way aroung the Abacos, assuming that the weather is not an issue.
Looking for a typical 7 days charter starting in Boat Harbor.

[Eva H.]

In prevailing conditions (i.e. easterly winds), pretty much every destination within the Sea of Abaco is an easy beam reach. However, if the weather does not cooperate, you may find yourself holed up one place or another longer than planned -- especially if winds preceding a front turn westerly, reducing the number of tenable anchorages.

Assuming you have good weather, here is a circuit you could do:

Day 1 - from Marsh Harbour to Baker's Bay, Great Guana Cay (wide anchorage, beautiful but only comfortable with easterly winds). It's a short hop from Marsh Harbour, so you'll be there in plenty of time to explore the beaches, Spoil Bank Cay, etc.

Day 2 - Cross the Whale (note: not all charter companies allow this, but since it's your boat, you should have no trouble). Get to Green Turtle Cay and anchor near the Green Turtle Club.

Day 3 - Sail to Manjack Cay and spend the day. I hear the beach is gorgeous, but weather has kept us from ever going this far. Back to Green Turtle Cay for the night.

Day 4 - Back to Great Guana Cay, but this time anchor in Fischer's Bay (just north of the settlement), or grab a slip in Settlement Harbour (Orchid Bay Marina). Indulge at Nipper's.

Day 5 - Sail to Man-o-War Cay for a quick visit and lunch, then on to Hopetown for the night. Lots of great spots for dinner/drinks.

Day 6 - While I could spend a couple of days in Hopetown myself, if you want to keep exploring, hit the seas. Spend a few hours anchored on the Tilloo Bank, a remarkable sand bar strewn with sand dollars and sea biscuits. Onward to Little Harbour, where those blessed with shallow draft like you can sneak in over the entrance bar. Grab a mooring and enjoy your last night at Pete's Pub.

Day 7 - Back to Marsh Harbour, about 15 miles.

This is a slightly ambitious itinerary, and I've never done it because our charters have always been haunted by fronts which kept us harbour bound in either Green Turtle Cay or Hopetown -- each of which are great spots with stuff to keep you occupied for a couple of days if need be. If you want more seclusion and beach time, do the northbound part of the trip and linger longer there; if you want a little more action (this being a relative term), head south.

[Noontide]

Herve,

Weather permitting I would shoot for a 1st day run to Green Turtle and spend the night at anchor just up front of the settlement. Indulge at Miss Emily's and have a great dinner at Laura's Kitchen.

Day two I would run up to Powell where you can remain for a few +++ days just exploring by land or dink. There are awesome beaches all around the island and the ocean side is just unbelievable.

From Powell I would spend a night anchored at Manjack. Great exploring again by land or by dink.

Then for the last stop before returning I would go to Guana. Wether you anchore at Bakers Bay, Delias, or the settlement harbor is up to you just like how long you wish to stay there.

Last stop Marsh

[Herve]

I am not looking for myself but rather for the "best" itinerary to put on the website and pass along to charterers.
Granted everybody is not looking for the same experience and weather can influence the decisions but it is meant to be a guideline for newbies.
Florida yacht, Moorings and others have some suggestions and I was just trying to get the board's input.

[ncdd]

may be you could offer a diving itenary and an exploring itenary. With one hitting all the isolated dive and snorkeling spots the other hitting the populated/ bars cays