Boating and Recreation...

The Bahamas Government recently announced amendments to existing boating legislation to make it easier and more attractive for yachting and pleasure boaters to enter The Island of the Bahamas. The Government found in the past that boaters seeking to enter The Bahamas had to pay for a cruising permit, Plus also for a fishing permit and a Customs and Immigration clearance charges. In addition, boaters did not pay the mandatory departure taxes because they did not depart the country through any designated ports.

If they paid departure tax, the charge per vessel of four would have averaged few hundred dollars. Few if any boaters objected to the amounts charged but they frequently complained about the "red tape" and being "nickeled and dimed".

With effect from July 1st, 1999, all of the various charges now applicable to boaters will be replaced by a single levy. The flat levy of $100 or so per vessel with four persons or less will cover the cruising permit, the fishing permit, Customs and Immigration charges and the per person departure tax for up to four persons. Each additional person above four will be charged the normal departure tax. This flat levy will simplify and speed up the entry process for pleasure vessels entering The Bahamas.

The Bahamas Government has embarked on a major program to promote boating throughout its islands and is stimulating the upgrading of private marina facilities, upgrading numerous navigational systems to promote boating safety and installing more buoys to protect it reefs and harbours. The Government has also completed several studies to guide its maintenance Of the sensitive marine ecosystems throughout the country.

As a further stimulus to boaters, customs duties on the importation of marine parts, which once ran as high as 47%, are fully exempt under the new customs regulations. Now boaters needing repairs to their vessels while in The Bahamas find that they can do so at rates comparable to those charges in South Florida

Where to fish

There's a varity of fishing venues available in the Abacos, from The Flats, (Bone Fishing), to the reef, to the ocean (deep sea). Flats Fishing for bone fish, permit and grey snapper. Bottom or reef fishing, primarilly for grouper and snapper. Deep sea fishing for dolphin, wahoo, sailfish, tuna and marlin (white and blue). Larger boats are occasionally available for charter daily. Personal fishing guides for your own or rental boat services. Rental boats are available on property from SeaHorse rental per day plus gasoline.

FISHING HOT SPOTS:

GPS coordinates for some good fishing spots near the resort are:

The Mushroom (south) 26 degrees, 40.30 north; 76 degrees, 36.9 west

The Mushroom (north) 26 degrees, 50.10 north; 76 degrees, 35.70 west

North Bar 26 degrees, 20.00 north; 76 degrees, 54.2 west

Dolphin Rip 26 degrees, 02.00 north; 76 degrees, 11.50 west

Jurassic Park (north) 27 degrees, 30.00 north; 78 degrees, 34.60 west.