Abacos essential information

Base hours
Daily from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Security personnel is available for late check-in from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Time zone
UTC/GMT -5 hours

Tourist information centre
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

What to bring

Customs + immigration
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.

Sailing licences
No sailing licences are required for cruising in this region. We strongly advise that you take any sailing certification on holiday with you as this is useful should you be contacted by Customs or Port Police. 

The skipper and first mate will be required to fill in a sailing resume prior to arrival at the base to confirm that they have the necessary skills to sail in this region.

Luggage + packing list
Please pack using soft-sided bags, as these are easier to store on your yacht. 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.

Drones
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: [email protected].

Currency
Local currency – Bahamian Dollar.

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

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

Security deposit
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.

What's on board

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.

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

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Sail

About the marina

Marina facilities

• Showers 
• Toilets
• Hotel
• Laundry service
• Restaurant & Bar 
• 2 Swimming pools
• White Sand Beach 
• Non-motorised water sports 
• 24-hour security and front desk team
• ATM
• Free Wi-Fi
• Fuel station
• Dive shop
• Boutique and grocery store
• Ice + water

Dock facilities
Fuel dock

Sailing grounds

Experience level
Level 1

Experience levels are based on sailing conditions and the length of passages within your chosen sailing area. View here for more information.

Sailing area
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.

Sailing area restrictions
Restricted zones will be covered in your chart briefing. 

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

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

Sailing permits + taxes
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.

Moorings fees + taxes
Mooring balls are available for $20 USD to $30 USD per night.

Health + safety

Swim Safe

Swimming is often a fun and important part of a vacation. 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 vacation, making them aware of the potential dangers.
• Accidents can happen at any time on vacation, 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

• Consider swimming lessons before you go if you think it would be useful to learn proper swimming technique.
• Even if you regularly swim in a pool, remember that open water swimming can be very different.

Safety 

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 this equipment during your vacation. 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. 

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

Travel insurance
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. Visit here for more details.

*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.

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Shop

Around the base

Accommodations
Conch Inn Hotel and Marina
Abaco Beach Resort

Banks
Generally, banks are open between 9:30 am to 3 pm (4:30 pm on Fridays).
ATM’s dispense Bahamian dollars.

Post office
Postal services are available at the base.

Shopping
There are two boutiques near the base.

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