Abacos Travel Information & Planning Guide

Sunsail Bahamas
Abaco Beach Resort
(c/o The Abaco Beach Resort)
Marsh Harbour
Abacos, The Bahamas

Sunsail Bahamas
Abaco Beach Resort
(c/o The Abaco Beach Resort)
Marsh Harbour
Abacos, The Bahamas

UTC/GMT -5 hours

Abacos – Marsh Harbour (7 min walk from the base)

P.O. Box AB-20663 

Tel: 242-699-0152 / 242 367-3067 / Fax: 242 367-3313

Entry, exit, and visa requirements depend on the locations you are departing from and traveling to. You are responsible for having the correct documents so make sure to check with the consulate of the countries you plan to visit before you travel. Visit gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice for the latest information.

This destination has mandatory sailing requirements that you need to be aware of before your holiday. Learn more about The Bahamas sailing requirements.

Please pack using soft-sided bags, as these are easier to store on your yacht when sailing the Bahamas. The base has no facilities for holding luggage. Pack lightly and review our suggested packing list below for required and necessary items to bring.

• Pack essential prescription medicine and change of clothing in a carry-on bag*
• Passport and other travel documentation
• Tickets and paper confirmations for pre-planned activities
• Light-coloured, light-weight clothing
• Formal wear for upscale dining establishments
• Swimwear and cover up
• Hats and sunglasses
• Sandals and flip-flops
• Athletic shoes and hiking boots
• Travel-sized toiletries and hygiene products
• Bug spray and OTC pain relievers/ointments such as motion sickness relief
• 12V DC to 110V AC power inverter (for boats without generators**)
• 12V to USB power adapter for charging mobile devices

*We would highly recommend packing prescription medicine and essential clothing (swimsuit, t-shirt, and shorts) in your hand luggage as occasionally your luggage may arrive at the base after you do. 

**All boats include a 12V DC outlet (a “car” outlet). Boats with generators have 110V outlets in the Caribbean and 220V in the Mediterranean and Exotic locations.

A Certificate of Registration must first be secured from the Civil Aviation Department in order to import a drone. The Customs Department will detain drones at the border if a Certificate of Registration has not been obtained. To register your drone online visit the Bahamas Civil Aviation page: http://www.bcaa.gov.bs/.  Further details on the Special Regulations may be obtained from the Civil Aviation Department, at 242-397-4700 or email: hadderley.fsi@gmail.com.

Local currency – Bahamian Dollar.

U.S. currency is accepted by all vendors. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted forms of payment.

Tipping is standard and expected in all restaurants/bars and for other services undertaken during your holiday. The rule of thumb is generally 10 to 15% of the amount charged. Some establishments automatically add this onto the bill.

A security deposit must be paid at the base by Visa or Master Card and is refundable at the end of your charter subject to there being no loss or damage. To significantly decrease your security deposit, purchase our Yacht Damage Waiver insurance ahead of time.

Coolers

Coolers are available at the base on a first come first served basis at no additional charge. Only one per boat. Additional coolers subject to availability.

Mobile Phones

Check with your service provider for information about cell coverage in this region. The Abaco Beach Resort & Conch Inn offer complimentary Wi-Fi. Bahamas WI-MAX  has set up hotspots at the major marinas around Abacos. They offer a pre-paid WI-FI service charged per day or per week and you can purchase this service ahead of time online. The Wi-Fi service is available in most harbors.

Music + iPods

While most of our newer boats have Bluetooth capability, we cannot guarantee all boats are outfitted with this equipment. For your convenience, we highly recommend you bring an AUX cord so you can listen to music from your mobile devices.

Electricity

Current is 110V, 60-cycle, 2 prong US type outlets. The dock is equipped with 110V. outlets. All of our yachts are equipped with power lines, battery charger, and 110V. plugs. There is a 12V. cigarette lighter and several 110V sockets by the chart table on the majority of our yachts.

Learn more about what’s included on your yacht and take a look at our charter extras to make your holiday even more special.

Marsh Harbour Airport (MHH) is approximately 3.5 miles from the Sunsail base.

A taxi to the base – distance approx. 10 mins (3 ½  miles from base). The guide price per person for the taxi fare from the airport to base is approx. $20 for the first 2 persons and every additional person is $3 per person.

Transfers cannot be pre-booked

• K&S Rentals – Tel: 242-367-2655
• Cornish Car Rental – Tel: 242-365-8623
• Sea Star Rentals – Tel: 242-367-4887
• Bargain Car Rentals – Tel: 1-242-367-0500
• Rental Wheels – Tel: 242-367-4643
• U-Save Car Rental – Tel: 242-699-3346

Car rental costs are from $55 per day depending on type and time of the year. Please note you will require a current valid driver’s license and you must be 25+ years old.

When driving, British rules apply, so please drive on the left. Visitors may use their home license for up to three months and may also apply for an international driver’s license.

6:00 pm

You will not be able to leave the dock until the next day.

If you arrive after our office closes, a letter will be left on the office door and a sign with your name will be placed on your designated boat.

11:00 am

A debriefing and final walkthrough will be done upon return so please allow enough time to complete this before the charter end time.

Level 2

*At least 10 days or 200 miles as skipper on an equivalent size yacht.

*Our intermediate sailing destinations, Level 2 sailing areas offer a greater challenge for sailors more comfortable on the open water. Enjoy strong winds and longer spells of open water sailing, suitable for more experienced skippers.Experience levels are based on sailing conditions and the length of passages within your chosen sailing area. View here for more information.

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 sailing 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.

Restricted zones will be covered in your chart briefing. 

It is strictly forbidden to sail alone, we require a two-person minimum on board.

All the charts and pilot books you will need for the sailing area are issued at your chart briefing.

No sailing permit or fee required. When departing, all visitors are required to pay a $20.00 departure tax at the airport ($18.00 from Grand Bahama); children six years and under are exempt.

Mooring balls are available for $20 USD to $30 USD per night.

Swimming is often a fun and important part of a holiday. However local rules, flag systems, currents and where swimming may be permitted, can be different and vary from country to country. Snorkel vests, Life Jackets and Diver Down flags are all available on board.

Children

• Talk to children about water safety at the start of a holiday, making them aware of the potential dangers.
• Accidents can happen at any time on holiday, but often they happen on the first and last day, so keep watch and do not get distracted when your children are playing by, or in the water.
• Children in or near water should always be supervised by an adult and never left unattended. Keep an eye on them and do not get distracted in and around the water. 
• Get in the water with them, it is easier to keep an eye on them as well as good fun. Floatation devices are highly recommended for children but are not a substitute for supervision.

Be aware of your surroundings

• Check warning flags and signage on the beach and only swim where it is permitted. 
• Beware of dangerous currents, these can be very powerful. Not all beaches have lifeguards and/or warning flags.
• Beware of underwater hazards, such as reefs, rocks, sudden changes in depth and marine life. Although shark attacks in the Bahamas are very rare the Bahamian authorities issued advice urging the public to exercise extreme caution in and around the waters of New Providence, adjacent islands, and cays.
• Never swim where a sign says not to e.g. in zoned areas for jet boats or jet skis.
• Never swim at night or after drinking alcohol.

Look out for others

• Never swim alone, ‘buddy up’ with others in your party and use the snorkel vests provided.
• Know how and where to get help. If you see someone in difficulty; raise the alarm, preferably the emergency services. Ensure you know the correct number for the country you are in.

Do not overestimate your ability

Even if you regularly swim in a pool, remember that open water swimming can be very different.

Consider swimming lessons before you go if you think it would be useful to learn proper swimming technique.

All yachts are equipped with adult life jackets, harnesses, snorkel vests & diver down flags. You can see all this equipment demonstrated in our online safety briefing, and we strongly recommend that you make use of this equipment during your holiday. This safety equipment will be displayed in the saloon of your boat on boarding – If you have any questions feel free to ask our base staff during your briefing. 

We have a very limited supply of children’s life jackets on base so highly recommend that if you are travelling with children, you bring their own. This ensures that children have correctly fitting jackets that are comfortable for them.  

Children should not be allowed in the dinghy without a life jacket or buoyancy aid and should wear a buoyancy aid or harness whilst on deck. 

Children under the age of 16 should not operate an outboard engine and should be supervised at all times when in the dinghy.

The Bahamas is generally risk-free of contagious disease. Current travel, health, and safety information can be obtained by visiting gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Sunsail offers comprehensive travel insurance 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 Sunsail holiday. Learn more about our travel insurance options. 

*Please note country entry/exit and vaccination/immunisation requirements can and do change. Sunsail is not accountable for these requirement changes and we advise visiting the destination’s authority website to receive the latest updates.

Sunsail Provisioning

This destination offers online provisioning. All provisioning orders should be placed no later than 6 days prior to the charter start date. Visit store.sunsail.com to order.

For more information, visit here for our different provisioning options.

Supermarkets

Maxwell’s: Large supermarket, 15-20 minutes walk
Mon-Thurs 8am – 7pm | Fri-Sat 8am – 8pm | Sun 8am – 4pm

Abaco Groceries: Wholesale / Retail Store, 10 minutes by taxi
Mon-Sat 8 am – 6 pm | Sun – closed

Save-a-Lot: Wholesale / Retail Store, 5 minutes by taxi
Mon-Thurs 8 am – 7 pm | Fri-Sat 8 am – 8 pm | Sun: closed

Small provisioning stores can also be found while sailing at Green Turtle Cay, Treasure Cay, Guana Cay, Hopetown and Man-o-War Cay.

Note: most restaurants close at 9 pm

Colors Bahamian Restaurant
5-10 min walk from base
Phone: +1 242-699-3294

Wally’s Restaurant
Tel: 242 367 2074
Cuisine: Bahamian and seafood – Reservations suggested

Anglers Restaurant
Tel: 242 367 2158
Cuisine: Bahamian and American

The Bistro at Abaco Beach Resort
(Reservations Required)
Phone: 242-367-2158

The Pool Bar and Terrace at Marinaville
(right at the docks, no reservation required)

Many restaurants closed during September – Low Season

If you are looking to travel in low season there may be a limited choice of restaurants to eat ashore and therefore please provision accordingly. This would be a perfect time of year to enjoy a BBQ off the back of your boat.

Conch Inn Hotel and Marina

Abaco Beach Resort

Generally, banks are open between 9:30 am to 3 pm (4:30 pm on Fridays). 

ATM’s dispense Bahamian dollars.

Postal services are available at the base.

There are two boutiques near the base.

Golf

One 18-hole course is available at Treasure Cay, 20 miles (32km) away.

Water Toys & Sports

For your convenience, you can add water toys to your charter prior to arrival at the base. They will be waiting on your boat upon arrival. You are able to rent these at the base but please keep in mind that we have limited availability. For more information, please view our water sports options here.

Diving and Snorkelling

Diving is possible whilst visiting the Bahamas however this should be organised with a local dive centre. Dive Guana offer diving charters and diving gear rental. Note that Mermaid reef, Johnny’s Cay, Manjack Cay, No Name Cay, and Walkers Cay reef are all protected underwater preserves.

For bareboat charters (where no staff from Sunsail are onboard the yacht) charterers are permitted to dive from the yacht. Sunsail does not provide such activities so you should ensure that any third parties that you engage with in order to dive should be through reputable third-party operators. Any diving activities are fully undertaken at your own risk and Sunsail shall have no responsibility or liability in connection with your participation in any diving activities, irrespective of whether this takes place from the yacht or an alternative location during your charter. Diving is not permitted under any circumstances whereby there is any skipper or other crew onboard the yacht which is provided by Sunsail.

We have a range of fins available in various different sizes. You will find them in cockpit lockers in each yacht. We do have limited children’s sizes therefore we recommend bringing your own to avoid disappointment. Please note that we do not provide snorkelling masks or snorkels onboard.

When snorkelling, the diving flag and buoy should be deployed and visible to all passing nearby.

Swim vests should be worn at all times whilst snorkelling.

One person should remain out of the water, keeping watch of the others in the water.

Fishing

Fishing is allowed in the Bahamas. Our yachts are registered therefore our clients do not need a fishing permit.

To protect the marine environment, spear fishing using scuba gear and possession of spear guns are illegal in The Bahamas.

Two areas are protected and fishing is not permitted: Pelican Cays Land & Sea Park Fowl Cay Preserve.

Some fishing charters are available. Fishing equipment is available to rent from Sunsail or Rich’s Rental. If you request fishing guides, they are available throughout the various islands. Prices ($170 -$350 p/d) vary according to the type of fishing guides requested.

It is illegal to carry out any form of fishing or to take any shells, coral or sea life in national marine parks. There are several marine parks in the Sea of Abaco.For more information, take a look at  what’s included on your yacht.

For more information on what’s included on your yacht, please view the full list here.

Sailing Sustainably with Sunsail

At Sunsail, we’re committed to protecting the oceans we love through Our OCEAN Promise – a sustainability initiative focused on reducing our impact and supporting coastal communities. Across all our destinations, we take steps to tread lightly: from minimising waste and emissions to promoting responsible travel practices.

You can help too. Before you set sail, consider packing a reusable water bottle, choosing to support local businesses, and raising the sails whenever possible to reduce engine use. Together, we can make every voyage a little kinder to the planet.