ELEUTHERA

There are no shortage of beaches in Eleuthera, including Lighthouse Beach, French Leave Beach and Twin Cove Beach. They are so many, and they are so long, that you can walk for miles and not meet another person. It's pure escapism. At the end of a peaceful and tranquil day, and with no one else around, the perfect way to finish it is to dine on the beach as the sun goes down. Once back onboard, it is an overnight passage South, to the next stage of the adventure, the Exumas.

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NIGHT PASSAGE : ELEUTHERA TO HAWKSBILL CAY

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12KTS . 56NM . 4H 45M

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HAWKSBILL CAY

There is a lot to explore in the Exumas, in fact 365 different Cays. At the northern end of the Exuma Land and Sea Park, Hawksbill Cay is a gorgeous uninhabited island. A vision of limestone cliffs, shallow silver sandbars which reveal themselves as the tide recedes, and towering palms. The water is full of life, an exciting opportunity to swim over corals with manta rays and turtles.

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HAWKSBILL CAY

From Hawksbill Cay, it is a 1H45M passage to the island at the centre of the Exumas Land and Sea Park, Cambridge Cay, where wildlife and corals have particularly flourished under the protection the park provides.

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DAY PASSAGE : HAWKSBILL CAY TO CAMBRIDGE CAY

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12KTS . 20NM . 1H 45M

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CAMBRIDGE CAY

A regular at the top of the list of favourite places in the Caribbean, Cambridge Cay is a particularly tranquil island, but with a lot to explore. Whilst there is of course the powdery white sands and beautifully clear waters, the shallow lagoons nearby provide some of the region's best snorkelling. There are impressive coral formations, such as the stand of rare pillar coral at Larry's Reef, or head to the lagoon known as The Sea Aquarium, so called for the amazing variety and number of fish that gather there. You'll also see stingrays, spotted eagle rays, nurse sharks and Caribbean reef sharks. Later in the day, go ashore and hike the ‘Ridge Trail’, from the top of which is a great view back down over the anchorage as the sun goes down.

CAMBRIDGE CAY

The tide levels in the Bahamas aren't significant, but sands are always appearing and disappearing still, so first thing in the morning is a great time for some final exploration of Cambridge Cay, as you will discover something else, whether it be a secluded beach or a coral reef.

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DAY PASSAGE : CAMBRIDGE CAY TO BIG MAJOR CAY

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12KTS . 9NM . 0H 50M

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BIG MAJOR CAY

Of all the wildlife in the Exumas, one species has flourished even without the protection of the Land and Sea Park, and its now the most famous of all the Caribbean's widlife, the Big Major Cay pigs. Despite being wild, the pigs are friendly. They swim and splash with visitors and are happy to stop for photos. Nearby Staniel Cay is where you can find Thunderball Grotto which was made famous by the filming of two of the James Bond Movies. It is time to leave the Exumas chain and head East, to the more remote Conception Island.

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NIGHT PASSAGE : BIG MAJOR CAY TO CONCEPTION ISLAND

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12KTS . 85NM . 7H 10M

CONCEPTION ISLAND

Conception Island became a dedicated National Park in 1964 and it has created an environment unlike any other in the Caribbean. It was where Columbus first made landfall in the new world, and so well-protected and untouched is this place, that the island today would still likely be very similar to the one that he walked upon. Barely 5 miles long, it is uninhabited and there is no infrastructure.

The island is a haven for nature, supporting squid, dolphins, turtles and many species of fish. It is the perfect playground for swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving. The inner part of the island can be accessed by foot, or it is a fantastic paddleboard adventure up Conception Creek, the mangroves surrounding it a sanctuary for migratory birds and the endangered green turtle which lays its eggs on the island, as do a variety of seabirds.

CONCEPTION ISLAND

Waking up off Conception Island, make a final voyage up Conception Creek to see what other wildlife you might be able to spot, before the 1H 55M passage South to Rum Cay.

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DAY PASSAGE : CONCEPTION ISLAND TO RUM CAY

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12KTS . 22NM . 1H 50M

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RUM CAY

Rum Cay is much bigger than Conception Island, almost 30 square miles, and is really an island of two halves. The Eastern Atlantic side is more exposed to large swell, which once it reaches landfall, makes for some great surfing. The more sheltered South and West of the island provides shelter for wildlife and underwater adventures. Dive the famed Grand Canyon, a 60ft high coral wall, or explore the underwater wreckage of the 19th-century HMS Conquerer ship. Once you've found the treasure, it's an approximately 5H passage back to the Exumas and Long Island, depending quite where on this long stretch you decide with the Captain to anchor.

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NIGHT PASSAGE : RUM CAY TO LONG ISLAND

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12KTS . 59NM . 5H 05M

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LONG ISLAND

The clue is in the name. So called because it is 80 miles long, and thin, it is the perfect spot to try and hook the elusive bonefish on the penultimate day of the charter. Deans' Blue Hole, the third deepest in the world at 663ft deep will be of particular interest to intrepid adventurers. Despite it's size, the island has not been developed and so there is still a chance to relax onshore and enjoy some of the more original and authentic Bahamian hospitality. History lovers can admire the oldest church in the country, St Mary''s. With the Long Island, comes long beaches, and as it's the last night of the charter, the crew will find you a beautiful spot on the white sands beneath some palm trees to watch the sun go down and enjoy final drinks and dinner on the beach.

EXUMA

On the final morning, enjoy a final swim, snorkel or make some final footsteps in the sand, before the 3H35M passage to Great Exuma and Exuma International Airport.

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DAY PASSAGE : LONG ISLAND TO EXUMA

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12KTS . 42NM . 3H 35M

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