SATURDAY
Catch a flight from your home airport to Nassau (airport code NAS). From the airport, hop on a shuttle that will take you 30 minutes to Palm Cay Marina, on the eastern end of the island. Plan on arriving at the boat later afternoon or early evening. You’ll come aboard, unpack, and get settled. We’ll grab food ashore and get acquainted.
SUNDAY
Attend a charter briefing with the charter company, where they will talk about sailing conditions in the area and give us information about all of our destinations. First sailing class; boat familiarization, systems overview, docking and anchoring. Depart and enjoy your first sail to the northern end of the Exumas where we will anchor at Highborns Cay. A stunning island, complete with powder white sand and turquoise waters. Go for a swim, snorkel or relax on a spectacular beach!
MONDAY
Morning systems briefing. Get an in depth look at all the systems on the boat, including an intro to diesel engines and maintenance. First sailing class; sail theory, points of sail and sail trim. Practice your new sailing skills as we sail north to the Allan Cays, a picturesque group of islands with numerous anchorages and little bays.
TUESDAY
Introduction to navigation, chart reading, GPS, and chartplotters. Chart a course and set off into deeper water into Exuma Sound. We’ll do some fishing hoping for Mahi Mahi, Tuna or Wahoo to throw on the grill! We will anchor off Shroud Cay, and explore this stunning island with an adventurous dinghy ride through the mangroves to the “waterslide” on the eastern side of the island.
WEDNESDAY
Today is a longer sailing day! Plot a course to one of the highlights of the Exumas, Warderick Wells Land and Sea Marine Park. We’ll continue with our sailing lessons, and everyone will have a chance to captain the boat. Then, we pick up one of the coveted mooring balls in the marine park, and will enjoy some snorkeling and time ashore (there is a great hike up a great vantage point overlooking the island).
THURSDAY
Today we spend time sailing and exploring the marine park. We will set a sailing and navigation challenge and turn the boat over to you! will be a reward for a successful mission. This is such a beautiful area that we will spend a second night here.
FRIDAY
As confident sailors now, you’ll captain the boat for the passage back to the marina. It’ll be a great sail, and a chance to apply all that you’ve learned during the week. We will have one stop at a remote little Cay for lunch and a swim. Once back at the marina, we’ll head out for evening drinks and a meal to celebrate your completion of the sailing course!
SATURDAY
Pack up bags, and catch the shuttle to the airport for your morning flight home … Or, stay on a couple of days to further explore the area!