The Bahamas are famous for their laid-back, friendly people and the exquisite cruising amid isolated cays fringed with coral reefs that draw snorkelers and scuba divers from around the world.
This Travel Notes page provides useful information about Abacos. From airport procedures to currency exchange it will tell you what to expect to make your vacation smooth and worry free.
Base Manager
Samantha Cornish
Address
The Moorings Bahamas
P.O. Box AB 20469
East Bay Street
Marsh Harbour
Abaco, Bahamas
Hours of Operation
Hours of Operation: 7:30am- 6:00pm, 7 days a week.
Base Facilities
Laundromat, bar/restaurant, hotel, boutique, swimming pool, supermarket, dive shop, showers/toilets, telephones, fuel, ice bank, dive equipment, and shopping.
Base Map
How to Get There
Two ways to get to the Abacos:
Fly into Marsh Harbour International Airport. Take a taxi to the base - Distance approximately 10 min by taxi. Cost is approximately $8 per person each way.
Fly into Treasure Cay International Airport. Take a taxi to the base is approximately 30 min by taxi.
Servicing Airlines
US Air
American Eagle
Bahamas Air
Continental Connection
many charter airlines
Due to the number of flights which we organize, the Moorings can offer some great rates to many destinations. Please make sure you contact your Vacation Planning Specialist before you book your flights.
Customs & Immigration
A valid passport (for U.S. citizens) with a valid Visa is mandatory for clearance.
An Immigration arrival card must be completed before you enter the country; an Immigration departure card must be completed before you depart.
Important: Crewed Yacht and Bareboat charters with a hire crew that intend to visit any of the other Bahamian Islands need to advise the Moorings Vacation Planning department in advance.
Arrival / Departure Procedure
Embarkation: Charters start at 10:00am or 4:00pm (with evening start).
Briefing Times: Boat/chart Briefings are scheduled at: 9:00am for morning starts; 3:00pm for evening starts.
All head charterers are required to attend the briefings.
Disembarkation: All charters end at 10:00am at which time the boat must be returned and ready for debriefing and checks.
Late Arrival Procedure
The Customer Service Desk is open until 6:00pm. If clients arrive after office hours, a message will be left with the security guard. A welcome aboard will be on your yacht.
Car Rental
K&S Rentals - Tel: 242-367-2655
Cornish Car Rental - Tel: 242-365-8623
Sea Star Rentals - Tel: 242-367-2840
T.C. Airport Car Rentals - Tel: 242-365-8961
Carls - Tel: 242-367-5196
Rental Wheels - Tel: 242-367-4643 (next to Moorings Conch Inn)
When driving, British rules apply, so please drive on the left and watch those roundabouts! Visitors may use their home license for up to three months and may also apply for an international driver's license.
Area: 5380 sq miles (13,940 sq km)
Population: 309,156
Capital City: Nassau
Official Languages: English
Ethnic groups: Black 85%, Chite 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3%
Religion: Baptist, Anglican, Roman Catholic
Government: Constitutional Parliamentary Democracy and a Commonwealth Realm
Industries: tourism, banking, cement, oil transshipment, salt, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe
Tipping: Tip according to quality of service. Bellboys and porters usually receive US$1 per bag, while most other servers (waiters, taxis, etc.) receive 15%. Some establishments include the gratuity in their bills.
Currency: The local currency is the Bahamian Dollar. U.S. currency is accepted by all vendors.
Electricity: The electrical service on The Bahamas is normally 120 volts, 60 cycles AC, in which case North American appliances are fully compatible, while European appliances will need both converters and adapters. Voltage varies with location, however, and some places in the islands may have 220 volt electrical service. Call your hotel ahead of time to find out which system they use. The standard voltage on all yachts is 12volts in order to use electronic equipment that is 110v or 220v; you will need an inverter suitable for use in a cigarette lighter.
Time: UTC/GMT - 4 hours
Festivals & Holidays
1 January: New Year's Day
1st Friday in June: Labour Day
10 July: Independence Day
1st Monday in August: Emancipation or Kadooment Day
12 October: Discovery Day
25 December: Christmas Day
26 December: Boxing Day
| Moveable Public Holidays | 2010 |
| Good Friday | 2 April |
| Easter | 4 April |
| Easter Monday | 5 April |
| Whit Monday | 24 May |
Hotels
Conch Inn Hotel & Marina
Abaco Beach Resort
Restaurants
Curly Tails: Located at The Moorings base (closed until October 15, 2009)
Mangoes: Next door
Snappers: 5 min walk
Sappodilies:5 min walk
Jaimes Place: 7 min walk/3 min taxi ride
Angler’s Restaurant: 10 min walk/3 min taxi ride
Wally’s: 6 min walk
Humming Birds: 4 min taxi ride
Post Office
Letters can be posted from the base.
Internet Connectivity
Mariner Inn Hotel offers complementary WiFi at the restaurant and DSL connection in the rooms.
Cellular Phones
Your cellular phone may work in the Bahamas, check with your service provider for coverage.
Tourist Information Centres
Head Office - Nassau
P.O. Box N 3701
Tel: 242 322-7500 / Fax: 242 328-0945
Abacos - Marsh Harbour
P.O. Box AB-20663
Tel: 242 367-3067 / Fax: 242 367-3313
Banks
Banking Hours: 9:30am – 3:00pm / Mon – Thur; 9:30am – 5:00pm / Fri
ATM machines are available in Marsh Harbour and on the islands and are available at most banks. Ask the base on arrival for locations. ATMs dispense Bahamian dollars.
Currencies / Money Exchange
Accepted Forms of Payment - The local currency is the Bahamian Dollar. U.S. currency is accepted by all vendors. Visa, MasterCard and America Express are also accepted in most places.
Exchange rate valid as of: 21/8/2009
£1 = 1.63 Bahamian Dollars
US$1 = 0.99 Bahamian Dollars
€1 = 1.40 Bahamian Dollars
Fishing
Fishing is allowed and a license is not required for charterers. To protect the marine environment, spear fishing using scuba gear and possession of spear guns are illegal in The Bahamas.
Some fishing charters are available; fishing equipment rental is available from The Moorings. Two areas are protected and fishing is not permitted: Pelican Cays Land & Sea Park Fowl Cay Preserve.
Spiny Lobster season is from August 1 - March 31. Minimum size is a 5 1/2 inches tail length or 3 1/4 inch carapace length (measured from the base of the horns to the end of the jacket). Unlike Florida, lobster may be taken by spear. It is illegal to take or possess female lobster with eggs. The vessel bag limit is six per person at any one time.
There is no closed season on conch, but it's illegal to take or possess immature conch. In order to be legal, conch must have a well formed lip (or flared-lip). The vessel bag limit is ten per person at any one time.
The vessel bag limit for scale fish is 20 pounds per person. The minimum size for any member of the grouper family is three pounds.
Stone Crabs may be taken if the claw length is four inches or greater. The season is closed from June 1 - October 15. It is illegal to harvest female stone crabs.
Snorkeling or Diving
Snorkel equipment is available at the base.
Dive Abaco (www.diveabaco.com) is located at the base and is the most easily accessed dive shop (for more diving options contact your Moorings Vacation Planning Specialist).
Mermaid reef, Johnny's Cay, Manjack Cay, No name Cay and Walkers Cay reef are all protected underwater preserves.
Kayaks
Kayaks can be added to your charter contract.
Marina Information
Local Dockage Facilities: Moorings and dock space can be reserved at most harbours prior to arrival by calling ahead on VHF channel 16 or by requesting confirmation via The Moorings office on VHF channel 82.
The Conch Inn Marina: Marina is full service with showers, toilets, laundry, restaurant, fuel, ice, water. The laundry is open 7:30 am - 5:30 pm. Clients may stay in the Marina as long as they wish or return at any time during the charter. Mini market - open 7 days. All ice, diesel and water is complimentary. The reception is located at the base of the dock and is open 7:30am - 6:00pm. Security personnel are available to assist from 6:00pm - 12:00am. After midnight Conch Inn Security can be contacted on V.H.F channel 16.
Electricity Information
The electrical service on The Bahamas is normally 120 volts, 60 cycles AC, in which case North American appliances are fully compatible, while European appliances will need both converters and adapters. Voltage varies with location, however, and some places in the islands may have 220 volt electrical service. Call your hotel ahead of time to find out which system they use. The standard voltage on all yachts is 12volts in order to use electronic equipment that is 110v or 220v; you will need an inverter suitable for use in a cigarette lighter.
Cruising Area Restrictions
This information is covered in the chart briefing. There are several marine parks in the Sea of Abaco. It's illegal to carry out any form of fishing or to take any shells, coral or sea life in national marine parks. A waiver must be signed at the base if the client intends to leave the Sea of Abaco.
The cruising area extends north to Walkers Cay, south within Sea of Abaco to Little Harbour. The cruising grounds for the Abacos is normally restricted to the Sea of Abaco only. The central cruising area is comprised of Great Abaco, along with a string of cays just east of these islands due to dangerous offshore reefs.
Charterers demonstrating extensive offshore and navigational experience are permitted to go down islands on approval by the base. A two-week minimum charter is strongly recommended for these clients. Immediate cruising area extends from Green Turtle Cay in the north to Little Harbour in the South.
Interesting Sites
We recommend you visit the Itinerary Page or consult your chart briefer and cruising guides for the best places to visit, but among our favorites – Hope Town, Great Guana Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Tilloo Cay, Sandy Cay, Fowl Cay and Pete’s pub at Little Harbour.
Moorings Provisioning
If you don't want to spend your vacation in supermarkets or buying food, Moorings offers a fantastic range of Food and Drinks packages which can be pre-ordered and will be on your boat when you arrive.
Supermarkets
There are no supermarkets or mini-markets at the base. For full self-provisioning, the nearest store is in the town.
Travel Insurance
Moorings offers 'Charter Care' which is a comprehensive travel insurance scheme for your complete peace of mind. If you have your own travel insurance, please make sure that it covers all of the destinations and activities of your Moorings vacation.
Vaccination and Immunization Information
The Bahamas is generally risk-free of contagious disease.
At time of publication, an International Vaccination Certificate is not mandatory.
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