Learning Something New blog #10 Destination: Bahamas

Learning Something New blog #10 Destination: Bahamas

Robinson Cruise Planners’ first annual Cake Decorating cruise to the Bahamas will take place this October, so this blog is dedicated to learning something new about our destination, the Bahamas.

The Bahamas is composed of 700 Islands and the most popular cities are Freeport and Nassau. Freeport has shopping and casinos.  Nassau also offers gambling, plus the Ardastra Gardens zoo. The islands offer horse drawn buggies for exploring at a leisurely pace.  You can also dive with the dolphins, swim with sharks, or snorkel.  If you prefer to avoid the cruise ship crowds, then you will want to hop over to Harbour Island, the Exumas or Andros in the Out Islands.

The Bahamas offer various modes of transportation for adventure and learning something new about the them.  Charter flights, fast ferries, and mailboats are typically used.  Fast Ferries are comfortable and have daily schedules.  They travel from Potters Cay dock to Exuma, the Abacos, and Northern Eleuthera. 

The mailboats most likely will not be an option for a cruiser but are good to know about, if you are interested in returning to the Bahamas.  Like the mailboats, they are in Potters Cay dock, and you will be given a schedule by the dockmaster. The schedule is based upon the tide, loading time, and weather conditions.  Mailboats leave 1-2 times a week and the trip duration is anywhere from 3-33 hrs.  Accomodations are spartan.  We’re talking sleeping bags on the deck. You may be sharing your space with goats, chickens, or boxes of onions and tomatoes.  This is not luxury accomodations in any way, but it is different, cheap, and appeals to the unconventional traveler.  You will definitely learn something new about travel if you take the mailboat route.

When cruising, you can book shore excursions through the cruise ship prior to (preferred) and while on your cruise if spots are available.  However, some find shore excursions too pricey and prefer to explore on their own.  Some of the top attractions in the Bahamas are the Bahamas Segway and Beach Experience, Trikk Pony Adventure, and Dolphin Close Encounter.  If a tour is what you are looking for, Starfish The Exuma Adventure Center, Pat and Diane Snorkeling, and Exuma Cays Adventures are the top picks.

You will learn while traveling to the Bahamas that they are cooler than the typical Caribbean island.  The average temperature ranges from 80 to 85°F / 27 to 32°C in the summer and 70 to 78°F / 21 to 27°C in winter. Evenings are usually cool because of the onshore breeze. 

The wet season is June to November; the two wettest months are October and June. Some days are wet and gray, but showers typically come and go very quickly.  The island has over 300 days of sunshine a year. The islands are in the hurricane belt but rarely suffer from a hit.

Do you have a favorite Bahama experience?

Dedicated to helping you learn something new while traveling,

Robinson Cruise Planners