Bsr112712

Hi all, we are potential first-time visitors to the Bahamas- traveling with our two children. Travel dates are early April 2018. We're boaters and looking to explore lots of pristine and non-crowded beaches. We've decided for this first trip we don't want to bareboat charter for a whole week but are looking for a rental cottage (not luxury, but clean with an updated kichen) with easy access to a rental boat (either sailboat or skiff such as a Whaler) to island hop. Budget is around $350/night for lodging. Not looking to eat out much at all but need fairly easy access to groceries to self-cater - access to fresh fish, etc. My research has suggested the above choices. Your thoughts/recommendations are very much appreciated!

Callaloo

Based on your interests, I would suggest the Abacos first, followed by the Exumas; Eleuthera -- while wonderful -- won't give you the island-hopping experience you seek.

A great many visitors to the Abacos rent a cottage (look, especially, at Elbow Cay, Great Guana Cay, or Green Turtle Cay). Many of the cottages have docks because many visitors rent runabouts -- including the beautiful Albury 20s built right on Man O' Way Cay. The settlements on the cays offer many choices for cottages, some decent (not great) grocery shopping, and restaurants and bars. You won't have much luck with fresh fish, however, unless you happen upon someone on a dock cleaning their catch or stop by Long's Landing Seafood in Marsh Harbour (assuming it's still open.) But you can easily buy frozen local fish, conch and lobster at some of the shops -- esp. in New Plymouth on Green Turtle.)

Great Exuma also offers boat rentals, but I believe that you can't leave Elizabeth Harbour. There are some pretty great beaches to be found, but not the fabled sandbars of the Exumas. There is a good grocery store right in Georgetown as well.

You could also stay at Staniel Cay Yacht Club (about 60 miles north of Great Exuma); the cottages there come with a Whaler and fuel, and you get access to those sandbars and beaches -- as well as those (in)famous swimming pigs. The SCYC is extremely popular, with only a dozen cottages, so getting in is tough; but I believe there are also rental houses on the cay and rental boat availability.

mnag

I think the Abacos particularly Elbow Cay would be a great first time visit to the Bahamas particularly because you are interested in boating. Its a cute little town with lovely beaches and several nice on water restaurants.