Bahamas Cruising Notes

These are the notes from the Cruising the Bahamas seminar:

Covid – there are no restrictions any longer. You are free to roam.  

Customs & Immigration

Click2clear website -use this to fill out paperwork .  You can pay online too.  https://www.bahamascustoms.gov.bs/imports-and-exports/about-click2clear/info-for-individuals/     

Leaving the Bahamas:   You do not need to  clear out if US and returning to the US.  If you are a foreign vessel, or going to another country, you should probably get a zarpa or clearance papers  – online using Click2clear,   

US Customs Decal; You need this for returning!           https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/uftd-info

Reentry USA:  CBP ROAM app.  Look it up and download it on your phone before you go.  Go into it and register.

CBP & Immigration in Tampa: 813-348-1715, 4662 Aircargo Road, Tampa (If you have to present yourself)

Pets: https://theboatgalley.com/getting-a-bahamas-pet-permit/ (info by Carolyn and Jan, authors of the book)   Also, a great service to use is by Wellington www.bahamaspetpermit.com   See the Waterwayguide for the Bahamas for all the regulations and gov’t offices. 

Weather: WEATHER NETS —Bahamas, Florida coastal and tropical weather information can be obtained daily as follows, all times local:

On SSB freq 4003 USB at 07.00; on amateur radio, freq 7096 or 3696 LSB at 07.20; on the Waterway Radio and Cruising Club daily net, including S.W. North Atlantic offshore weather on freq 7268 at 07.45.

Weather information on VHF is available in various places at different times and on different channels, ask locally for details about local morning “NETS”.    Example:  Available daily in Nassau area on channel 72 at 07.15. Bahamas weather is also available on local AM radio, freq 1540 at 06.15 and 06.45 from the Nassau Met Office.

SSCA morning SSB net at 1215 UTC and 1315 UTC on 8104 (info contact KPK@ssca.org) Glenn Tuttle

Caribbean Weather Center Chris Parker ***SSB 4045 in the early AM*** check the website out for times.
Tel:1-284-494-7559 Fax:1-284-494-5358
http://www.caribwx.com wheather@caribwx.com

Weather Aps and websites:
Pocket Grib, Predict Wind, Passage Weather, WindyTY, NOAA Now, Weather Underground, Weather Bug, STORM, Marine Weather, Windfinder, My Radar.

Currents in the Gulf Stream use PASSAGEWEATHER online, or use NOAA.

Resources and Marinas;

Waterway Guide –  Bahamas  – This “extemely helpful” guide has really good details about the crossing, customs, marinas, anchorages, etc.   

Facebook “Bahamas Land and Sea” by Addison Chan

Explorer Chart Kits –  “A must have“….. plus go online to “Bahamas Chatter” .  The bulletins have marina dockage and fuel price information .  Lots of pretty accurate info .     https://www.explorercharts.com/chatter
Bahamascruisersguide.com by Joe Riccio (online, download it)
Skipper Bob Bahamas Bound
Cruising Guide to the Abaco Bahamas by Steve Dodge
Active Captain
Seven Seas Cruising Association and NOONSITE websites
Find over 100 Blogs about Cruising the Bahamas + Port and critical info

Cruising the Bahamas with LUCKY ME – free PDF guide with a lot of good info.  https://www.passagemaker.com/destinations/free-bahamas-cruising-guide

Loraine Rolle in Black Point is a SSCA Cruising station. (get her mom’s bread!)
Marina in Nassau; Nassau Harbor Club, Manager is Peter Attaloglou (Greek)
Marina near Georgetown in south end of Exumas; Emerald Bay Marina.

Communication:  

žSpot or In Reach Messaging

žSat Phone

Starlink RV

ž SSB/HAM

žRegular cell service, data, voice and text with BTC by a sim card and service by the gig

žWifi- Data, pay or free

• Myislandwifi,
• Aliv WiFI

ž

žCheck your carrier:

• AT&T or Verizon
• T-Mobile or Spectrum (work seamlessly and not much cost)
• “Project Fi” by Google

To buy a SIM card before going :   (Mr Sim online)   The process is not very difficult but can be different depending on your phone and current service provider and the type of service you require in the Bahamas.

I found that the best approach for me was the following;

1. Unlock my personal Samsung Galaxy S6, service provided by AT&T.  
2. Buy a Batelco sim Card and initial airtime from mrsimcard.com.  Choose a plan.
3. Activate Sim Card via text upon arrival in the Bahamas.  See – http://www.mrsimcard.com/caribbean/s-batelco.html
4. Activate data plan from Batelco.  See – https://www.btcbahamas.com
5. Use cell phone for internet access and tether to laptop and tablet.