ABACOS, BAHAMAS FLOTILLA CRUISE
CRUISE THE BEAUTIFUL BAHAMAS WITH COLGATE SAILING ADVENTURES®
March 6-13, 2023
We can’t think of a better way to get away from winter woes than sitting on the deck of a gorgeous Moorings catamaran on crystal clear turquoise waters in paradise. A short flight from several Florida airports takes you to this glorious chain of islands with sandy cays, beautiful barrier reefs, and super friendly culture.
SAILING RESUME REQUIRED FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS
Important Notes:
- All flotilla participants must be fully-vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus before embarking on a flotilla trip.
- These trips are hands-on activities that require complete, unaided mobility getting on and off docks, boats, and dinghies.
- All participants must complete a Sailing Resume before being confirmed on the trip, including answering questions regarding existing medical conditions that may hinder their full participation.
- A Skipper and Navigator will be assigned to each boat based on the completed Resumes.
SAILING RESUME FOR FLOTILLA CRUISES
CRUISING WITH LIKE-MINDED SAILORS IN PARADISE
This special flotilla cruise starts in Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco Island, where a fleet of 42’ and 45’ Moorings catamarans await. Your sailing destination is in the Sea of Abaco, where tradewinds caress sheltered waters. During your week aboard, you will explore reefs filled with resplendent sea life, visit historic sites, dine at fun eateries ashore, and get to know the locals whose island crafts range from small works of art to impressive racing dinghies originally designed in the 1880s.
A NEW SAILING ADVENTURE EVERY DAY
Under the watchful eye of cruise leaders and hosts – Nate and Heather Atwater – this cruise will take you north and south of Marsh Harbor to explore nearby islands and cays. Each day is a different adventure – anchoring off an uninhabited cay to snorkel, strolling quaint towns settled hundreds of years ago. Here is just a sample of the places you might visit.
GREAT GUANA CAY
This incredibly scenic island has a huge white sand beach on the Atlantic side. Moorings are available in Fishers Bay and Settlement Harbor at the south end of the cay. Both harbors are near the village where you’ll find a shop that rents out bikes. There ae several restaurants, including the famous Grabbers Bar and Grill.
MANJACK CAY
More white sand beaches beckon with great snorkeling on some of the healthiest and most beautiful reefs in the area. There are also two well-marked hiking trails. A safe place to anchor, Manjack Cay provides delightful snorkeling, swimming, and hiking.
GREEN TURTLE CAY
New Plymouth on Green Turtle Cat, first settled in 1783, is a quaint village with narrow streets, white picket fences, and brightly painted buildings. You’ll likely anchor in White Sound, then visit the town’s fun shops, restaurants, and historic sites. There are several marinas and popular restaurants including Sundowners Bar and Restaurant, Tranquil Turtle Beach Bar and Pineapples Bar and Grill, as well as the Green Turtle Club in White Sound.
HOPE TOWN
No Abacos cruise is complete without stopping at Elbow Cay with its picturesque lighthouse. Visit historic Hope Town, White Sound and Tahiti Beach for snorkeling, watersports, shopping, and fine dining. Wyannie Malone Museum, named for Hope Town’s founder who fled South Carolina during the American Revolution, is a fascinating homage to the those turbulent times between British and American history. Climb to the top of the Elbow Reef Lighthouse for extraordinary views, then visit the shops, and dine at one of the many restaurants including Cap’n Jacks, Firefly Bar, or Bridget’s Rum Bar and Restaurant.
LITTLE HARBOUR
A narrow spit separates this harbor from the Atlantic Ocean, creating one of the most picturesque spots in the Abacos. An abandoned lighthouse on the spit is a vestige of the past. The internationally acclaimed artist, the late Randolph Johnston, established an art colony here with his wife Margot in the ‘50s, and art still flourishes in this idyllic place.
LYNARD CAY
This long skinny island is a great place to drop anchor for lunch and a swim. A quick walk across the cay to the Atlantic side takes you to long pristine beaches with spectacular views.
MAN O’WAR CAY
Most of the 200 residents on this unique island earn a living in the boat building and craft trades. After you drop the hook in Man-O-War harbor, exploring the village and beyond is a great way to spend a few hours. No alcohol is allowed or served ashore, but of course you can imbibe back your boats. Visit unique shops, especially the Sail shop where you can get canvas duffels. Joe’s Studio has unique wooden handicrafts. Grab some yummy conch fritters in one of the casual restaurants. Rent a golf cart to go beyond the shore.
THE FLOTILLA CRUISE FLEET
The boats reserved for this cruise are two 3-cabin Moorings 4200s and 2 4-cabin Moorings 4500s (always subject to change of course). The Atwaters, as always, will assign crews to each boat based on the mandatory resume, and choose a designated skipper and navigator from the most experienced for each boat. Both the 4200 and the 4500 have spacious lounge areas, aft cockpits with outside dining areas, 360-degree views, Bluetooth connectivity, and of course generator-controlled AC.
PACKAGE COSTS
- $5,900 single in a private cabin
- $5,200 per person in a shared cabin for two.
OFFSHORE GRAD DISCOUNT: If you are an Offshore Sailing School graduate with U.S. Sailing Bareboat Cruising Certification, you get a $300 discount per person on the above cabin rates. This discount applies only to those who hold US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Certification. If there are two or more in your party, just those with the designated certification may use the discount. Just 13 cabins are available on this super winter getaway, and they will go fast!
PAYMENT TERMS
A 30% deposit is required when you sign up, the balance or full payment is due 120 days before the vacation charter begins, November 7, 2022. You will be required to sign the cruise Terms & Conditions when you sign up. You may request transfer one time to another flotilla date by the 121st day before this trip, November 5, 2022, for a 10% fee of the total value of the trip. You may cancel this trip by November 5, 2022, for a 15% fee of the total value of the trip. No refunds nor changes to another cruise or course are allowed after November 7, 2022.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Single or shared cabin for two as described above on one of the chartered catamarans
- Complete handbook with all the details you need to know to enjoy this cruise
- Split provisioning – including all breakfasts and lunches, some snacks, and three dinners for dining aboard
- Meet & Greet party on the first day with heavy hors d’oeuvres or a light dinner (cash bar)
- Group dinner ashore during the cruise (cash bar)
- Abacos Cruise polo and hat
Each boat will put a kitty together (usually starting with $100 per person) to cover mooring and docking fees, extra provisions and other costs that all on the boat should share. Other costs you may incur include (but are not limited to) your travel to and from the Abacos, taxi from airport to base and back to airport, hotel stays ashore, any alcoholic or other beverages you wish to have aboard, meals ashore other than the group dinners, excursions you may wish to take, golf cart, kayak and other rentals. The currency in the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar, equal to the U.S. dollar and most credit cards are accepted.
HOW TO GET TO THE ABACOS AND MORE INFORMATION
Most will fly into Marsh Harbour International Airport from Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, West Palm Beach or Miami. We recommend you contact The Moorings flight specialist at 866-649-2003 for more details. From there a short taxi ride takes you to the Abaco Beach Resort where The Moorings is based. If you would like to come in a day or two early or stay after the cruise, The Abaco Beach Resort is a nice place to stay. Plan to arrive at the Marina in time to board the boats at 10:00 a.m. on March 6, and you will disembark at 10:00 a.m. on March 13, 2023. A complete handbook filled with information about the cruise, what to bring, what’s available in the Abacos, vaccination requirements, and a whole lot more will be sent after you sign up.
