4-DAY ITINERARY IN THE NORTHERN EXUMAS

Depart Nassau through the harbour buoys and make a short crossing to Rose Island, a low lying strip of sand and scrub set just off Paradise Island. The route skirts shallow coral patches and seagrass beds that brighten the water into pale greens over white sand. At anchor you are within easy tender range of snorkeling reefs and quiet beaches that feel far more remote than their distance from the capital

Daily Highlights:

• Gentle first passage out of Nassau Harbour across bank shallows
• Swimming and snorkeling on near shore coral heads and reef ledges
• Beach time on Rose Island’s uncrowded sand spits
• Sundowners on board with Nassau’s skyline low on the western horizon

Leaving Rose Island, the course runs southeast across the Yellow Bank toward the northern Exumas, with scattered coral heads that require attentive conning and sun high overhead for best visibility. As Allen Cay rises ahead, the colour shifts to the deep sapphire of Exuma Sound at the edges and clear aqua over sand in the anchorage basin. Ashore, the small beaches are home to the endemic Bahamian rock iguanas, a protected species that has made Allen Cay famous among yacht crews.

Daily Highlights:

• Open water crossing over the Yellow Bank with chart and visual navigation practice
• Swim stop off a sand bar en route if conditions permit
• Tender ashore to view Bahamian rock iguanas on the beach
• Evening on board under exceptionally dark skies away from city light

A short hop south west brings you along the inside of the cays toward Highbourne, often with gentle chop and excellent visibility over the banks. Highbourne Cay is widely regarded as a gateway port for the Exumas, with a well regarded deep water marina and multiple beaches fanning out along its shoreline. The island’s reef line and nearby bommies create varied snorkeling, while the elevated ridges, rising close to 100 feet above sea level, offer rare height and long views across the chain.

Daily Highlights:

• Leisurely mid morning departure with time for fishing along the way
• Secure berth at Highbourne Cay Marina with full service facilities
• Snorkeling on nearby reef systems and rubble patches off the eastern beaches
• Dinner at the island restaurant with views across the anchorage

The final leg crosses back from the Exuma Cays to New Providence, typically on a northwest course across the banks. Seas are generally moderate but the stretch demands a clean departure window and steady watch for coral heads and depth changes. As Nassau’s harbour entrance buoys come into view, the skyline and cruise ship docks reappear, a marked contrast to the low cays and beaches of the previous days. The return run completes a compact loop that gives a clear sense of northern Exuma cruising without overlong days under way.

Daily Highlights:

• Early morning departure from Highbourne Cay with a last look over the Exumas
• Open bank passage with time to review log entries, distances and waypoints
• Glide back through Nassau Harbour and secure in a full service marina
• Evening ashore for fine dining or a quiet recap of the voyage on board