JEWEL OF THE BAHAMAS
Northern Exumas
8 days / 7 nights.
The Exumas are some of the best sailing in the world.
Swim with the resident nurse sharks, snorkel Pablo Escobar’s sunken drug plane. Meet the friendly swimming pigs and feed the Bahamian Rock Iguanas. Cliff jump into the beautiful Thunderball Grotto and check out the millions of fish in the Exumas Land and Sea Park. If you’re adventurous, use the Hawaiian sling to catch some lobster and grill it for dinner.
Natalie Rudman is an 8 times South African freediving national record holder and 5 times African continental record holder. She is a yoga instructor and creator and founder of ComeOne Yoga and Freediving. Natalie’s love for the ocean stemmed from a young age, she grew up in Durban on the East Coast of South Africa where she spent most of her teenage years surfing or hanging out on the beach. She is an ocean warrior and believes that it is up to us to change the concept of the ocean being a dumping ground, it is the place we need to protect more than ever for our future generations to appreciate and enjoy as well. She only discovered freediving in her 30s, while as a scuba instructor in Thailand she noticed the utter calm and tranquility of freedivers on the reefs and wrecks around. She tried and it and never looked back. To her freediving is a much more natural way to interact with the ocean and marine life. Less impact and more meditative. She has learnt much about herself through the practice and loves to share her learnings and teachings with others, bringing joy and confidence to her students when she can.
ITINERARY
Subject to change due to weather / animal behaviour
DAY 1
Fly into Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in Nassau, Bahamas. Taxi to the marina. Spend the day at Palm Cay Resort. Final shopping & provisioning. Meet up with the rest of the crew for dinner and a pre-departure briefing.
Spend the night on the catamaran in the marina.
DAY 2
We cast off from Palm Cay Marina at 7am aboard a 54-foot sailing catamaran, making the 28 nautical mile journey from New Providence to the Northern Exumas.
Our first destination is Leaf Cay where we meet the Bahamian Rock Iguanas. It’s one of the few places where you can still find these fearsome looking, yet gentle creatures.
We’ll spend the night at anchor in a calm bay.
DAY 3
After breakfast, we set sail for Highbourne Cay and swim with the resident Nurse and Reef Sharks.
In the afternoon, we continue onward to Norman’s Cay, former headquarters of the Medellin Cartel’s drug-smuggling operation. Just south of the cay is a sunken drug plane that was once once used by Pablo Escobar to smuggle drugs to the USA. It’s now full of marine life that we will explore until sunset.
DAY 4
Sail 20 nautical miles to Warderick Well’s Cay. Home to large schools of fish. Spotted Eagle Rays and other marine animals also call these shallow waters home. We will use the day to explore the coral reefs and to make some new aquatic friends.
It's common to see wild turtles, stingrays, reef sharks, nurse sharks, barracudas, and schools of colourful tropical fish.
DAY 5
After breakfast, explore the Exumas Land & Sea Park. Optional hike. For those daring souls, we will visit Danger Reef to swim with Caribbean Reef Sharks.
In the afternoon, We’ll stop at Compass Cay - this place is teeming with nurse sharks. Swim with these inquisitive creatures and feed them some fish.
Next up is Rachel’s Bubble Bath - a natural whirlpool.
DAY 6
Another sailing journey of 15 nautical miles will bring us to Big Major Spot - Home to the famous swimming pigs. Bring some food for the little piggies and they’ll swim right up to the boat to say hello!
DAY 7
One of the Exumas hidden gems is Thunderball Grotto. James Bond filmed Thunderball here. It’s a magical aquatic paradise with thousands of tropical fish, light rays and a dream for underwater photography. We’ll swim in at low tide and watch the light bouncing off the walls.
DAY 8
Our final day. At first light, we will sail back to the marina. Plan to book your return flights home from Nassau that afternoon.
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE
Plan to arrive at Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) before 4pm on Day 1. Your departure flight should be after 12pm on Day 8.
Nassau is a convenient nonstop flight from many major US and Canadian cities. At Lynden Pindling International Airport, you’ll find the first TSA PreCheck program outside of the United States, plus Global Entry for pre-approved travelers arriving from the US. Getting there is a breeze – you’ll be on the beach with a Bahama Mama in hand in no time!
EXPEDITION HQ
THE BALI 5.4 CATAMARAN
The Bali 5.4 catamaran will be the main control centre during the expedition. A versatile boat - perfect for exploration, speed, and comfort. Six cabins, AC, Six full heads, sleeps 14, stove, fridge, hot water. Plenty of deck space to lay out on too.
This luxury catamaran represents the impeccable craftsmanship and timeless elegance that are hallmarks of Catana. The Bali 5.4 carries itself with the air of luxury and seaworthiness that is inherent in every sailing yacht. Premium performance, precision handling and gracious livability.
FREEDIVE CERTIFICATION
As an optional add-on, get certified in Molchanovs Wave 1, Wave 2, or Wave 3.
You’ll get the basics of freediving and will become an autonomous freediver - able to explore the underwater world comfortably. You’ll learn to practice freediving safely, what happens with your body when you hold your breath, how to dive more efficiently, and how to handle freediving mentally, and how to hold your breath longer. By the end of the course, you should be able to dive safely and comfortably using various disciplines.
RESOURCES
Download Complete Sailing Information
Download Breath Hold App
Download Splitwise App
Download WhatsApp
Download Navionics
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
All information related to entry requirements can be found at on the Bahamas Government Website.
Everyone travelling to The Bahamas must obtain a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR (swab) test taken no more than 5 days prior to the date of arrival. The day the test is taken is considered day zero. Test must return a negative result for entry into The Bahamas.
Once in possession of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test, travellers can apply for their required Bahamas Travel Health Visa at travel.gov.bs. (Click on International Tab)
INSURANCE
It is strongly recommended to carry Extended Medical Insurance, Emergency Evacuation Insurance, and Trip Cancellation Insurance.
WEATHER
The superb weather in Bahamas in October sees an average daytime high temperature of 30°C. The moderate ocean breeze will help to keep you fresh. At night, the temperature will fall to around 22°C. The humidity and the UV levels are high, so use plenty of sunblock and carry water when you’re out in the daytime sun. Showers are expected across 15 wet-weather days around the Bahamas in October. You’ll want to make the most of the sunshine in the tropical Atlantic climate. There’ll be about eight hours each day, on average, and the sun doesn’t set until nearly 7pm. The water temperature will be an incredible 28°C.
DETAILS / COST
INCLUDED:
Shared Accommodation in a double cabin on a catamaran
8 days on the water (7 full days & 1 half day)
Fuel
Food & snacks on the catamaran
Mooring Fees
An experienced captain
Mask, Fins & Snorkel
Digital copies of photos from the trip
Fresh linens & Catamaran cleaning
Port & Charter Taxes, Damage Waiver, Cleaning, Linens, Bahamas Cruising Permit, Fishing Permit, Bahamian Eco-Tax
NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare to and from Nassau (NAS)
Accommodation if you need to spend the first or last night in Nassau
Taxi / transportation to the marina
Shore Excursions
Personal Expenses
Alcoholic Beverages
Gratuity for boat captain
Travel Medical Insurance (Required)
Wifi
WIFI:
WiFi is available. $23/day for up to 10 devices at a time.
Upon arrival in Nassau, we will shop for groceries and provision the catamaran for the week. There will be one dinner ashore at Staniel Cay Yacht Club. All other meals will be aboard the catamaran as there are no restaurants in the Northern Exumas.
DEPOSIT + PAYMENT
Non-Refundable Deposit of $1000 to reserve spot
Balance is due 60 days prior to expedition
To secure your spot, send your deposit via ACH / wire transfer, Credit Card or Venmo.
