St Thomas to Abacos

[Richey]

We took our Island Packet out of charter this year and have been the Caribbean for a few months. If we sail her to Abacos from St Thomas, do you know of a good route and places to stop along the way?

[rschaedel]

We sailed our Pacific Seacraft 40 from St. Thomas to the Bahamas in 2004 stopping at Ponce PR for fuel, water, etc. From there through the Mona Passage overnight bypassing the Dominican Republic since the wind was favorable and we did not want the hassles of checking in etc.
We anchored overnight at a cay off the Turks and Caicos and anchored a 3nd night at Mayaguana. Finally we arrived at Long Island and checked in with Bahamas customs and immigration. From there we cruised up the Exuma chain of islands and the Berrys to Lucaya on Grand Bahama. We could have ended up in the Abacos by altering course near the end. It was a good trip and I often consider doing it again.
Bob s/v ACADIA

[TQA]

Originally Posted by Richey

We took our Island Packet out of charter this year and have been the Caribbean for a few months. If we sail her to Abacos from St Thomas, do you know of a good route and places to stop along the way?

You will be beam reaching or better all the way in normal conditions so enjoy!

I would stop off in Vieques, somewhere along the south coast of PR, Boqueron, Maybe Salinas in the DR Great Salt Cay in T&C, [ get some snorkeling in ] Provo T&C then Gr Exuma and any route you choose North.

Skip Luperon and Nassau.

[ughmo2000]

Last trip we left St. Thomas first stopping in Culebra then spent several nights on the south coast of PR. Leaving Boqueron, we sailed the Mona Passage and bypassed the T&C's (we had plenty of fuel/food, been there/see it, no need to stop), and checked into the Bahamas at Myaguana (Abrahams Bay). We then spent two months cruising around and playing before arriving in Bimini and our return to the east coast. However you go it should be a great sail.

[imagine2frolic]

Unfortunately when we left Fajardo of P.R. we sailed straight onto San Salvador. It was a great sail. Then onto Abacos, and Florida. I would do more like rschaeldel. Stop in Acklin, Long island, Georgetown, and work my way north through the Exumas. The oppurtunities are many along that path. Also full of places to stop that will be memorable.......i2f