For many boat owners in Florida and the southeast U.S., a trip to the Bahamas is on their bucket list. However, many are concerned with their ability to cross the Gulf Stream.
Enter the Bahamas Summer Boating Fling Program. For nearly 30 years, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has been organizing summer flotillas to teach Gulf Stream-crossing newbies how to safely make the crossing in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
Under the guidance of a lead boat and experienced captain, participants in the Bahamas Boating Flings make the Gulf Stream crossing in a group. Flings depart from two designated departure points on Florida’s East Coast: Bahia Mar Marina in Ft. Lauderdale and Sailfish Marina in Stuart (Stuart departure only for Grand Bahama trips). The Stuart location is convenient for those in the north, as well as those from the west coast, who plan to cross the state via the Cross-Florida Canal/Okeechobee Waterway.
Here is the summer 2012 itinerary:
JUNE
6/6 – 6/10 —- Bimini Big Game Club Outpost Resort & Marina, Bimini
6/13 – 6/17 — Bimini Big Game Club Outpost Resort & Marina, Bimini
6/20 – 6/24 — Bimini Blue Water Resort & Marina, Bimini
JUNE – JULY
6/27 – 7/1 —- Port Lucaya Marina & Marketplace, Grand Bahama Island
7/11– 7/22 — Grand Bahama Island & Abaco, with the following stops:
7/12 — Port Lucaya Marina/Grand Bahama Island
7/13-7/16 — Treasure Cay Resort & Marina/Treasure Cay,Abaco
7/16-7/17– Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour/Marsh Harbour, Abaco
7/18-7/19 — Green Turtle Cay & Marina/Green Turtle Cay, Abaco
7/20-7/22 — Old Bahama Bay/West End, Grand Bahama Island
7/25 – 7/29 — Bimini Bay Resort & Marina, Bimini
Departure Points
- Bahia Mar Marina, 801 Seabreeze Boulevard, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33004, Ph: (954) 627-6309
- Sailfish Marina of Stuart – Fling departure point for Grand Bahama Island Fling only! 3565 S.E. St. Lucie Blvd., Stuart, FL 34997, Ph: (772) 283-1122
If interested, register early, as space is limited to 30 boats, and is on a first come, first serve basis. A $75 non-refundable registration fee per boat, per fling, applies. Minimum boat length for all flings is 22 feet.
So go grab a Kalik, a Sands or your favorite rum drink—we’re going to the Bahamas. Wahoo!
For more information, or to register for a fling or flings, call (800) 32-SPORT, or visit www.bahamas.com/webform/9029/boating-flings.
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