Comment on Our Plans for Late May

[vernettm]

We (2 couples) are staying at the Regatta's (condos) in Marsh Harbour over Memorial Day weekend. Plan to beach, snorkel, boat, and fish. Using this location as our base, we want to explore other keys. Reading thru the board, it sounds like Nipper's is a must eat/experience and that Guana Cay has great snorkeling. Will it be easy to just rent a boat and head out to different cays for the day? Should I buy Dodge's guide? Thanks for any input.

[JJ]

It is recommended that you reserve a boat ahead of time. Unfortunately, that means if the weather is nasty, you could be stuck with a boat you can't use, but that should be a busy period to be visiting and it could be hard to find one available at the last minute.

Yes, get Dodge's guide if you are renting a boat.

Guana and Nippers are great. The pig roast is the most popular time for Nippers and that is on Sunday afternoon. There is good snorkeling right off of the beach on Guana. You can also use the boat to get to some nice snorkeling and beach locations.

[sdbooth]

Guana Cay is definitely a must see. We went for the first time in July with some friends of ours that have a unit at the Regattas.

We rented a boat for 3 days from Man-o-War Cay and then used that one day for Guana Cay, one day for Hopetown & one day for just being on the water and visiting Little Harbour and Pete's Pub.

We loved Guana so much that for our last day on the trip, we sat through the ferry ride and went back. It's so beautiful and the water was clearer than Hopetown for snorkeling.

Have fun!

[John]

We'll be at Regattas from 5/14 - 5/28. When exactly will you be there?

[vernettm]

We are arriving in the afternoon of 5/28 and departing 6/1 - oh well!

[Abacowilly]

We (2 couples) are staying at the Regatta's (condos) in Marsh Harbour over Memorial Day weekend. Plan to beach, snorkel, boat, and fish. Using this location as our base, we want to explore other keys. Reading thru the board, it sounds like Nipper's is a must eat/experience and that Guana Cay has great snorkeling. Will it be easy to just rent a boat and head out to different cays for the day? Should I buy Dodge's guide? Thanks for any input.

.....you should invest the $15 for the "Dodge Boys" 2005 Cruising Guide to the Abacos - ASAP. I suspect anything you need to assist in planning your trip will be in that guide. It will do much to help you in your planning.

We have stayed at the Regattas before. It's a short cab ride to the ferry dock to get over to Guana, Nippers and the Reef - great way to spend a day as Nippers overlooks much of the reef! If you rent a boat you will have to keep it over at the marina area as you cannot "dock" it at Regattas. We rent from Concept Boat Rentals when staying in Marsh harbour area as those boats have a dock right there at the Conch Inn - very convenient. Just tell Timmy at Concept that we sent ya'! All of this is well within walking distance of Regattas (an easy 5 minute stroll). If you need to rent a car, call Glenn at Sea Star - they will come pick you up at Regattas. I think someone already advised you but you should reserve your rental boat (and probably rental car if you want one for a day or two), NOW!!

AW

[vernettm]

Thanks, Abacawilly! I will, indeed, rent a boat from your recommendation, once we decide how many days to rent. Because my hubby is an obsessive fisherman, I know we will be going on at least 1 fishing charter (bonefishing). He and 3 guys went last year in early Feb - May is better for fishing - and went on a charter with Lincoln (?). I believe he wants to go again. They ate all kinds of fish (trigger) and fresh lobster that Lincoln caught and cooked on one of the little isles.

[DrRalph]

Check out: http://www.************/index.html

[airfloridagreg]

I heard good things about Florida Yatch Charters for boat rentals- 800-537-0050

[Abacowilly]

Thanks, Abacawilly! I will, indeed, rent a boat from your recommendation, once we decide how many days to rent. Because my hubby is an obsessive fisherman, I know we will be going on at least 1 fishing charter (bonefishing). He and 3 guys went last year in early Feb - May is better for fishing - and went on a charter with Lincoln (?). I believe he wants to go again. They ate all kinds of fish (trigger) and fresh lobster that Lincoln caught and cooked on one of the little isles.

....for some real fun. There are other boat rental places around for sure. We used Concept in MHH (when we have stayed in MHH) because have known Timmy there personally for several years and it is a very convenient location. I think he has a 26 footer to rent as well as some of the more common sizes.

When we last stayed at Regattas (11/2003), we requested an upper level room on the Sea of Abaco side on the hill. The view was fantastic both day and night. The nights provided a beautiful sight with the Hopetown lighthouse as well as the lights from all the homes scattered along the shores and hillsides of Elbow and Lubbers. It was also a super location to watch the storms move in and across the Sea of Abaco.

AW

[Capt. Tom]

when you rent a boat you will get some info from the rental company. We have always rented from Jay and Samantha at Water Ways in Man-of-War. Jay can tell you where to go and what to see and is always very helpful with any questions about the Cays.
You will enjoy it
Capt. Tom
S/V Chardonnay

[Watercolours]

If you would like to do some day sailing and island hopping under sail check out www.cruiseabaco.com (http://www.cruiseabaco.com) you can be picked up were you are staying.

[vernettm]

Dr Ralph - your web site is awesome!!! Thanks - this is all I need. Just ordered Dodge's guide, as well.

[DrRalph]

Thanks very much!!!