RR20170
Set sail on this once in a lifetime sailing expedition to one of the world’s best cruising destinations, the Caribbean. You’ll experience abundant marine life, crystal clear turquoise waters, uninhabited cays and one of the best sailing destinations in the world. The protected and shallow waters of the Bahamas make this the perfect trip for first time or novice sailors.
| Starting from | R20 170 |
| Package Validity | Set departure dates in JUn & JUL 2018 |
| Duration | 7 days |
| Destination | Bahamas |
| Starts in | Marsh Harbour ( Elbow Bay) |
| Ends in | Marsh Harbour ( Elbow Bay) |
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- 6 nights on-board a yacht
- 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
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Marsh Harbour - Elbow Cay
Welcome to paradise! White beaches, blue skies and even bluer water is what you have to look forward to for the next week. Oh, and maybe a little fishing, snorkelling, kayaking, paddle boarding and hoisting the sails.
The Bahamas [along with the Turks & Caicos] form the Lucayan Archipelago which covers an area in excess of 14,000 km and over 29 islands, 660 cays and nearly 2,400 islets making the Bahamas a true sailor’s paradise. The archipelago was named after the first known inhabitants the Lucayans, an indigenous people who were the first Americans to come into contact with Christopher Columbus. The most western reach of the Bahamas is Bimini which is 80 km from Florida while Cay Sal Bank is only 50 km from the coast of Cuba, making it closer to Cuba than its nearest Bahamian island neighbour.
Our trip starts in Marsh Harbour, the main town on the Abaco Islands. The Abacos chain is formed in a boomerang shape and stretches nearly 210 kms from Walkers Cay in the north, to Hole-in-the-Wall in the south. Abaco is the second largest island in the Bahamas and Marsh Harbour, our starting point, is the 8th largest town in the Bahamas with a population of 5,300. Marsh Harbour has all the available services required to provision yachts as well as post offices, supermarkets and banks [please refer to Money Matters for information on ATM’s and credit cards].
The outer cays and islands of the Abacos create naturally protected waters commonly referred to as the Sea of Abaco. The temperatures in the island chain are generally cooler than the other islands with summer temperatures average 26.5°C to 29.4°C.
Our group will meet at the Marina at 3pm for a group meeting which includes a detailed safety briefing. Then we will board our home for the next 6 nights, the S/V Abel.
Meals Included •Dinner
Special Information Transport and accommodation Please note you will be travelling on a real sailing catamaran which are big on deck space however the cabins are made for sleeping and that’s about it. This means there’s limited space so we highly recommend travelling with a backpack or soft sided back, both of which can fit in the small cupboards provided in each cabin. Remember the bigger the bag the smaller the space for you in the cabin!
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The Abacos Islands Tahiti Beach Framed by a grove of coconut palms, Tahiti Beach is a white sand beach on the the southern tip of Elbow Cay. Because catamarans have a shallow draft you are able to step off the boat and wade through crystal blue waters onto Tahiti Beach. This is the perfect first stop on our sailing adventure, you can choose from a quiet stroll along the palm fringed shore, a dip in the crystal-blue waters, a paddle, or you might want to don a snorkel and mask and try to spot a sea turtle. The picturesque Hope Town Lighthouse is visible from the beach.
Hope Town Hope Town, or Great Harbour as it was formally known, is a small colonial township and is most famous for it's candy stripe lighthouse. Many of the buildings that you will see in Hope Town and the lighthouse are fine examples of Loyalist architecture. The 'Loyalists' were American colonists who were loyal to the British flag who fled their newly independent nation and settled in Hope Town. There are a number of food markets, boutiques, museums and restaurants located around the harbour and there is great snorkelling directly off the beach.
Elbow Cay Lighthouse The British Imperial Lighthouse Service built this lighthouse to mark the Elbow Cay Reef during the 1860’s. Hope Towner’s at the time resented this and opposed the project as they saw it as a direct threat to their salvage business. Despite their efforts the lighthouse at Hope Town went into operation in 1863. It is one of the only two remaining beacons saved from automation, a process vigorously opposed by residents. Extraordinary efforts are undertaken by the local residents to secure spare parts for the light apparatus most of which are no longer manufactured.
MAN-O-WAR CAY
Man-O-War settlement is small, peaceful and well- kept town; its clean, narrow streets are used by pedestrians, motorbikes and golf-carts. The houses are mostly wooden and are painted in a variety of pastel colors. It is also a disciplined community in that no alcoholic beverages are sold on the cay and local grocers were encouraged to cease the sale of tobacco products.
GREAT GUANA CAY
Set with a back drop of a beautiful Atlantic long white beach Great Guana Cay is that perfect spot for those iconic white sand beach shots that grace the pages of glossy travel magazines. Great Guana is surrounded by coral reefs and it is also home to many migrating birds and species endemic to the Abacos. Loggerhead, Green and Hawksbill turtles nest on the islands.
NONAME CAY
Although there is no formal settlement on Noname Cay we may not be alone when we visit as the cay is home to pigs, swimming pigs to be in fact. Left behind by the original settlers or having made their own way from shipwrecks or other islands, the once feral pigs have made their home at Noname Cay.
GREEN TURTLE CAY
Green Turtle Cay is home to the settlement of New Plymouth. With typical Bahamian architecture, you can walk from one end of town to the other in less than 15 minutes. Known for its pristine white beaches and crystal clear waters it's the perfect spot for kayaking and snorkelling.
TREASURE CAY
Whenever there is a list of the 'Top beaches in the world' Treasure Cay usually gets a mention. The sand is incredible, soft, fine and white. The water, clear, all shades of blue and full of marine life. For these reasons there are a number of high end resorts and hotels on the islet.
Meals Included •Breakfast (5) •Lunch (5) •Dinner (5)
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Marsh Harbour
After a delicious breakfast and maybe one last swim, snorkel or paddle, sadly our Bahamas sailing adventure comes to an end. There are no activities planned after breakfast so you are free to leave at any time.
Meals Included •Breakfast
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San Jose
Hola! Welcome to Costa Rica!
Your adventure begins with a Welcome Meeting at 6pm on Day 1. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details & next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader.
With over half the country's population living within its parameters, San Jose is a bustling city with lively markets, intriguing museums & a dynamic atmosphere. A good place to start exploring is the main plaza, a fantastic place to get comfy & do some people watching. Artisan booths are common here & you never know when there'll be a spontaneous art fair. Have a look at the Gold Museum which has an amazing collection of indigenous gold art. If these cultural gems get you in the mood for a bit of shopping head to the out door market in Plaza de la Cultura or the Central Market where you can buy anything from handicrafts to seafood.
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Santa Rosa de Pocosol
Travel by private minibus to Santa Rosa de Pocosol (approx 3 hours) where we spend the night in a homestay. Just down the road is the Juanilama agricultural community where we have the option to get to know the local villagers, help with farm chores or take a cooking lesson. Several villagers have built comfortable rooms for guests next to their homes. All rooms have shared facilities.
In order to make the most of this homestay experience, it may take a bit of effort from your side to break the ice first. Learn as many Spanish words as you can & get ready for some serious hand language signals.
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La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano
Continue by private minibus to La Fortuna (approx 2 hours).
La Fortuna is a small town situated just a few minutes away from Costa Rica's most famous volcano - the majestic Arenal. Besides the panoramic views the town offers a range of other activities such as the 70-metre-high La Fortuna waterfall, stunning lush forest, rare plants, animal watching & water sports on the lake.
The volcano’s inner workings also mean that the area has a number of thermal springs where hot, lava-heated water gushes to the surface. These springs have been turned into a number of thermal pools & waterfalls, often surrounded by foliage, an ideal chance to relax.
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Monteverde
Today take the scenic route to Monteverde (approximately 4 hours in total). Travel by shared minibus to Lake Arenal, which we'll cross by boat. On a clear day you'll see fantastic views of the surrounding area. On the other side of the lake, re-board the minibus & continue on to our destination.
Monteverde was founded as an agricultural community in 1951 by a group of North American Quakers; they cleared virgin forest to create verdant pastures ideal for dairy farming. These environmentally aware settlers were conscious of the danger that unrestricted settling & farming could cause to this precious habitat. Consequently they established a small privately-owned wildlife sanctuary, which has since grown to become the internationally-renowned Monteverde Cloudforest Biological Preserve. These forests are similar to rainforests, but instead of relying on rain for essential moisture, adequate water comes from the semi-permanent cloud that covers the region. It is lush & full of wildlife. This is truly a nature lover's paradise. More than 2,000 species of plants, 320 bird species & 100 different types of mammals call Montverde home.
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Monteverde
Your leader will take you on a walking tour through the Monteverde National Park. Alternatively, walk through the canopy on suspension bridges or watch butterflies at play in the specially created butterfly garden. The local guides are very knowledgeable about the area & passionate about conservation & in the local communities there are several cooperatives worth visiting. More than 2,000 species of plants, 320 bird species & 100 different types of mammals call Montverde home. Be sure to keep an eye out for the resplendent quetzal, one of the most elusive birds in the world.
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Quepos
Travel to Quepos by private minibus (approx 5 hours).
Located close to the beautiful Pacific beaches & exotic wildlife of Manuel Antonio National Park, Quepos is a laid-back town with a vibrant nightlife.
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Quepos/Manuel Antonio NP
Spend your time here enjoying all that Manuel Antonio NP has to offer. Head out for a hike along its many trails, keeping one eye on the great views & the other looking for the abundant wildlife. Monkeys, armadillos, sloths & hundreds of birds are among the species you maybe be able to spot. The park also boasts turquoise seas & white-sand beaches, perfect for swimming, kayaking, sailing & fishing. It would be easy to spend your whole time here in, or by, the water.
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San Jose
Take a local bus back to San Jose (approx 4 hours). The buses in this region of the country are a little more basic but this is a great opportunity to mix with Costa Ricans & get a feel for local life.
Arrive back in time for you to pick up some last minute souvenirs at the city's colourful & vibrant markets. Then we can head out for an optional dinner & final night on the town sampling the huge variety of nightlife. The perfect way to end our adventure.
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San Jose
There are no activities planned for the final day & you are able to depart the accommodation at any time.
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