Nassau - General Info
Description:
Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas and is situated on the island of New Providence.
It is a popular destination for cruise ships with beautiful beaches and offshore coral reefs that are popular for diving and snorkeling. However, it is primarily a tax-free tourist mecca and has become a “Big City” with a commensurate crime rate.
Cruiser Highlights:
Cruising guides, apps and happy-hour chitchat can all be good sources of information for sailors in the Caribbean. Tune into the Bahamas – Nassau Cruisers Net at 07:15 on VHF Channel 14.
Bahamas, Florida coastal and tropical weather information can be obtained daily as follows, all times local: On SSB freq 4003 USB 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. Available daily in Nassau area on channel 72 at 07.15.
Entrance Notes and Cautions:
Be very street-wise. The crime rate is high (not only for theft), so take care where you walk, especially at night, and secure all your property as best you can. Locking your boat securely at night and when away from it is a must, as is locking your dinghy and outboard when tied to the boat and ashore at a dinghy dock.
Position:
25°04.39’N 077°17.81’W (eastern end of the harbour)
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Related to following destinations: Bahamas, Nassau, New Providence
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This feedback posted by SV Gallivant elsewhere on the site:
GRAFT—NASSAU CHECK-OUT
We called to see if we could check our sailboat out of the country at Nassau Harbour customs. No answer.
We walked up to the office, which was behind a locked gate.
We asked the uniformed guy at the gate if we could check our sailboat out of the country there the next day. He told us we should check out through our marina. We told him we weren’t in a marina. He recommended we go to a marina to handle check out. We again asked if we could check our sailboat out of the country there. He was discouraging but said if we wanted to try, we should get there early because the area was likely to fill up with construction work. There was also a cement wall we weren’t too keen on tying off at, as unlike at a marina, we knew we wouldn’t get any assistance and were concerned about surge. The concrete wall seems to be in fair condition with two medium-sized bollards to tie off to.
We decided to check out via Nassau Harbour Haven, coming in only long enough for checkout ($1/foot+tax).
Upon arrival, Nassau Harbour Haven contacted customs. About 1 ½ hours later someone from customs showed up and boarded our boat. After she went through the paperwork, she said we owed her $50 because customs had to come to us.
We said we tried to go to the dock initially and were discouraged. She said we talked to the wrong person.
As we dug for $50, and only came up with $49, she said that was ok. She refused to offer a receipt for the payment.
We told the folks at Nassau Harbour Haven and they said customs was not supposed to charge us. They said this is not the first time it’s happened, and they report it when it does, and encouraged us to do that. They also said they would report it to the office of tourism and encouraged us to do the same.
Bottom line: If someone from Bahamas customs tries to charge you for exiting, refuse to pay it, or, at least refuse to pay it until they hand you over a receipt on your amount of payment.
We have Camping Gaz butane bottles and consulted our gas inspection company concerning a refill with propane. They said it’s dangerous because of the wall thickness of the bottle and they absolutely not recommend doing it. We didn’t find a butane refill (Exumas, NP, Eleuthera) so I would recommend to bring enough gas with you to the Bahamas if you use butane…
For that European needing to refill a Camping Gaz LPG bottle, you need to call 242 445 4562. A very professional guy with a propane truck will meet you where you are and will fill up your bottle. He’s probably the only one who can do it in the Bahamas. Don’t be afraid, propane works very well in a butane system.
Posted on Women Who Sail Facebook Page:
I just want to tell all cruisers to be aware when they’re in Nassau, to secure the companionway at night. Two boats were boarded by an unknown person last night and one was our boat.
They stole our paddle board and went to our saloon and searched for things to take. Luckily my DH heard the noise and got up but the person had jumped into the water. So be Careful. Last week another boat was boarded too.
Palm Bay Marina, on the SE shore is excellent, clean, reasonable, and the staff goes out of their way to assist in any way possible. Fuel, water, plenty of electric and a straight forward well-marked entrance. We draw 6′ and no problem. Free loaner car available for shopping, perfect for going south into the Exumas.