Here is sample itinerary of what you may expect while enjoying a sailingvacation with TradeWinds in the beautiful Exumas islands of the Bahamas. Weather or other outside factors may mean that your Captain sets an alternative course.
Arrival day - Saturday
Your adventure will begin at Emerald Bay Marina at 5pm, when you’ll be introduced to your awaiting crew who will get you straight into vacation mode with a refreshing cocktail! We’ll move the boat over to White Bay (a secret sandbar off the western coast of Great Exuma) to anchor overnight. We’ll enjoy our first gourmet dinner here under the stars.
Cruising Day 1 – Sunday
After breakfast we’ll up anchor and sail to fascinating Lee Stocking Island - formerly home to the Caribbean Marine Research Centre. After a leisurely lunch aboard, we’ll move to Lignum Vitae Cay, one of the most stunning natural Bahamas Cays, and we’ll anchor off this beautiful beach for cocktails and dinner onboard again this evening.
Cruising Day 2 - Monday
Breakfast over - we'll set sail for Big Galliot Cay, where we'll anchor for lunch by this beautiful beach. The snorkeling is great here, and we'll spend some time here and later move on to Little Farmers Cay - where snorkelling with turtles is available at a small additional charge. Later we'll return to the boat for Captain's Cocktails and another scrumptious dinner aboard.
Cruising Day 3 - Tuesday
After breakfast this morning we'll move to Staniel Cay, where we'll visit the world-famous site of the Thunderball movie and Thunderball Grotto. We're sure that everyone remembers James Bond and this scene! The snorkeling in this cave-system is amazing, totally bursting with marine life. Later, we will move to Staniel Cay Yacht Club to take dinner ashore at the world famous Club Thunderball.
Cruising Day 4 - Wednesday
This morning will see us swimming with the famous pigs of Big Major Cay. Yes, we did say pigs, and yes, they do swim! And they drink beer - they are totally amazing! After lunch we'll move on to Great Guana Cay (the second largest of the Exuma islands) where we'll hike to the famous cave and enjoy sipping our cocktails either here or on the beach … before heading back to the boat for another fabulous dinner aboard.
Cruising Day 5 - Thursday
Our first stop this morning will be to head for Rudder Cut Cay (owned by magician David Copperfield). Just off the coast is a life-sized sculpture of a mermaid lounging atop the sandy ocean floor next to a baby grand piano!We'll have a quick snorkel and explore before lunch and then move on to another privately owned island, Leaf Cay, where we can feed iguanas on the beach (fruit and veggies only) before our last wonderful dinner afloat.
Cruising Day 6 - Friday
After breakfast this morning we'll head for Boysie Cay.We'll explore the amazing blowholes, cairns, and lovely beach and tidal pool before lunch aboard and our return to Emerald Bay Marina. We'll have Captain's Cocktails onboard before going ashore to enjoy dinner ashore at one of the many fine restaurants nearby.
Saturday - Departure Day
After a last tasty breakfast onboard, it's time to gather your belongings, as well as your wonderful memories of a week in this most beautiful environment. Before exchanging fond farewells, your crew will arrange transport from Emerald Bay Marina to the airport. You will already be planning your next cruise with TradeWinds.