JEWEL OF THE BAHAMAS
Northern Exumas with Sarah Rosenborg & Gavin Heeks
FEBRUARY 3-10, 2024
8 days / 7 nights.
Create and learn how to create amazing content!
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.
For those who are more interested in the content creation and learning more about that, Gavin and Sarah will be there and available for any questions you may have. Gavin for underwater photography and Sarah for videography and UGC-content.
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. 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
Introduction meeting and speech about rough itinerary and mini content course.
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 and - create content - around the drug plane.
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.
Explore coral reefs, get creative photographing the corals and the beautiful aquatic animals we befriend.
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 (super instrgammable / great content spot) . 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.
Meet the Team
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Sarah Rosenborg
HOST & PHOTOGRAPHER
Sarah Rosenborg is a travel photographer & videographer from Norway. She picked up her first camera when she was 9 years old and has been in love with creating ever since. Her hobby quickly turned into a full-time job right after high school when she started traveling the world and made her passion into paychecks. For a long time she’s been wanting to share her experience and passion with others who also thrive to create and travel for a living. -
Gavin Heeks
HOST & PHOTOGRAPHER
Gavin Heeks is an underwater photographer and shark safety diver based in Oahu, Hawaii. He combined his love for the ocean and photography and is now spending more time underwater than on land, doing what he loves the most. Having collaborated with renowned brands and key figures in the ocean and adventure industry, Gavin Heeks aspires to kindle a fire of inspiration in individuals. He hopes that his passion will motivate people to embark on journeys of exploration and engage in creative endeavors to make their passion their profession. -
Tyson Sadler
CAPTAIN
Tyson is a yacht captain and filmmaker. He has extensive experience sailing in Canada, The Bahamas, French Polynesia, and Norway. Over the past decade, he has explored some of the world’s most remote locations and photographed whales, sharks, and beautiful landscapes.
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.
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
FEBRUARY 3-10, 2024
A non-refundable deposit of $830 is required to confirm your spot onboard.
INCLUDED:
Catamaran charter, Day Pass to Palm Cay Resort, Insurance, Port & Charter Taxes, Damage Waiver, Cleaning, Linens, Bahamas Cruising Permit, Fishing Permit, Bahamian Eco-Tax, Hawaiian Sling, Mask, Fins & Snorkel.
NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare, hotels, taxi to the marina. Wifi on the catamaran.
VARIABLE COSTS:
Fuel charges, dock & mooring fees, trash disposal, food, snacks, drinks on the boat.
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. All meals will be aboard the boat as there are no restaurants in the Northern Exumas.
