Florida to the Abacos

We have been to the Abacos twice now, once from Florida and once from the Exumas. We really like the easy sailing, protected harbors, anchorages, and large grocery store. This was a great destination for our first explorations of the Bahamas. We thank Carey for showing us the way.

If going only to the Abacos from Florida, then it is easiest to go through West End where you can dock and check into customs. From there, you can easily make Great Sale Key and anchor for the next night. The next stop can be Spanish Key or Green Turtle Key. At this point you are staged up to go out the WHALE at Whale Key and around into the Sea of Abaco. Once there....you have made it! The Sea of Abaco is a dream sailing destination with protected waters and many anchorages, harbors and marinas.

The best time to be in Abaco is the month of APRIL. The cold fronts have died down. The weather is warmer. The crowds have died down also. If you are there in Dec, Jan, Feb, you will be dealing with the cold fronts that press across the Florida peninsula and out into the Bahamas. In my opinion, it is better to ride these out in Florida, or the Keys, or far south in the Exumas like George Town.

The exit from Abaco to the Florida, can easily return the same way. Whale Key to Green Turtle to Great Sale Key to West End to Florida Ft. Pierce inlet or north....

Here is a picture of these routes



To study a GOOGLE MAP of this, please follow this link and zoom into Abacos
tinyurl.com/icw2011

Here is a detailed Google Map of just the Sea of Abaco
tinyurl.com/SouthSeaAbaco



Resources and Cruising Guides to the Abacos are:
#1. Explorer Charts
#2. Steve Dodge guide to the Abacos

Digital Tools for Tablets/Samsung Tab 2 or iPads
#1. Navionics App, I understand this app DOES NOT include Explorer Charts!!!!

Digital Tools for iPads 2, and 3, (not Droids, not iPad 1)
#1. Garmin BlueChart App....what I understand is that this app includes Explorer Charts


I hope this helps to organize basic info for anyone going from Florida to the Abacos.

Hayden