Having just completed this winter’s sailing season in the Bahamas, I wanted to examine some of the differences to our previous season in the Caribbean. Here we go:
Sailing– Over half the sailing you do in the Bahamas is on the leeward side of low-lying islands, so you get the wind without the waves. The bad part is you have to navigate around shallow sand banks. The Caribbean features consistent trade winds so you can travel between islands at fast speeds but with ocean waves. Winner: Bahamas
Weather– During the winter strong fronts sweep through the Bahamas that often produce 25+ knot winds for days limiting your ability to move between islands or sometimes even go ashore. With the exception of the Christmas Winds, the Caribbean keeps a regular trade wind velocity. Winner: Caribbean
Anchorages– This category is heavily influenced by your boat’s draft. If you have less than five feet of draft the Bahamas offers almost endless opportunities to park your boat in protected waters. The Caribbean islands feature a limited number of protected deeper water harbors at each island. Winner: Bahamas
Shopping Costs– Due to the remoteness of ports, the Bahamian islands depend on a weekly mail boat to resupply an entire community. Most all the Caribbean islands have container ports with ongoing shipping traffic. The increased supply and lower shipping costs gives the Caribbean a definite advantage. Additionally, the duty to import parts in the Bahamas is higher than most Caribbean islands. Winner: Caribbean
Restaurants– This category depends on which island you are on in Caribbean. The French islands have delicious meals at a reasonable cost while the English ones specialize in fried fare. Like the other English islands, the Bahamas emphasizes fried dishes, particularly cracked conch. The Caribbean has conch ceviche whereas the Bahamas features conch salad. I cannot tell a difference, but like both. I am not a fan of the fried food. Winner: Caribbean
Local Vibe– Caribbean islands have a higher population density, more nationalities, and slightly more diverse economies. Their main interaction with tourists is from cruise ships which is probably overwhelming. The Bahamas are barely populated and the majority of the people appear to make their living from the tourism business. You rarely run into someone in the Bahamas that does not give you a friendly hello, including children. Winner: Bahamas
Sea Life– The Bahamas is shallow and very sharky. The water is crystal clear. The Caribbean has more reefs and a variety of fish. Winner: Caribbean
Hiking– The Bahamas is loaded with national parks and picturesque trails off the beach. To walk anywhere in the Caribbean, you must compete with cars on skinny roads to find a trail head. Winner: Bahamas
