Where to go, Belize, Bahamas or Turks & Caicos

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by sck5

The Bahamas are very American compared to the other places and also quite shallow. Also really good snorkelling and diving and much easier provisioning than the other places. I liked it there but it felt like Florida except they drive on the left.

You must have been in Abaco. Try the out islands, it's much different. You can now charter out of Nassau and sail the Exumas.

[sck5]

yes, we stopped in Abaco on the way from St. Maarten to the Chesapeake. we are thinking of exploring further south in the Bahamas next time so it is good to hear what you said. But nothing I have heard about nassau makes me want to go there except maybe the aquarium.

[jimrafford]

I'll second St Vincent and south. Very unspoiled. Diving was spectacular. Provisioning can be difficult. Last time I was there we found a small yacht provisioning service on Bequi that had freezers full of anything you could want. It is deffinatly open ocean sailing between the islands and very windy.
Cruising in Belize is some what limited to inside the reef. While we didn't have a problem there is a lot of poverty. Reefs were very alive w/ coral but no fish. Discovered why at the airport when we saw countless foam coolers labeled "live tropical fish".
Bahamas are too developed for my liking on vacation but very safe.
Haven't been back to Turks and cacos in 30 years but would guess they are like the Bahamas now.
Jim

[TQA]

If you want to do some longer sails price a one way charter from St Lucia to Grenada.

Turks and Caicos has spectacular snorkelling and quieter anchorages.

If the Bahamas, Nassau to Great Exuma and back would be a plan.