Sailing To The Eleuthera and Exuma Islands

As we have discussed in earlier eSales topics, between November and May, the Liberty Clipper offers sailing vacation windjammer cruises in the Bahamas.  All cruises start and end in Nassau (NAS).  The principal islands that the ship will visit during your clients' cruise include Eleuthera Island and the Exuma Islands.  To that extent, I thought we'd take a look at these unique islands a little closer so that you can be ready to close the sale when the right client "comes in your door."

Eleuthera

Sickle-shaped Eleuthera is 110 miles long, two miles at its widest point, and its highest elevation is 168 feet. It is the fourth most populated island of The Bahamas, with approximately 8,000 residents, most of whom either fish for bounty in the miles of deep blue sea or farm the rolling acres of pineapple plantations. Much of the island’s architecture and way of life were influenced by Loyalist settlers in the late 1700s.

Eleuthera is an island of casual sophistication. Quiet, isolated communities and well-developed resorts, tall rocky bluffs and low-lying wetlands, blue holes and caves, massive coral reefs and sweeping pink sand beaches combine to create a fascinating picture.

The island is administratively divided into three divisions. North, Central and South. The capital of Eleuthera is Governor’s Harbour and Rock Sound is the second major township. The two are the primary business centers of Eleuthera and serve as major shopping areas, although there is shopping in all of the other townships. (Read more at http://www.bahamas.com/out-islands/eleuthera-harbour-island).

The Exumas

The area is so precious — it’s reefs and island environments so pristine — that in 1957 the Bahamas government set aside a 176-square-mile section as the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, one of the world’s most successful marine parks and a haven for yachtsmen.  The Exuma Islands are divided into three major sections: Great Exuma, Little Exuma and The Exuma Cays. There are 365 cays on the north and south sides. The land is generally low, but there are a few points which rise from sixty to eighty feet. The ports are on the north side and the water is generally deep.

With beautiful blue water everywhere, the Exumas are a dream destination for boaters, fishermen (flats, reef and offshore), divers, snorkelers and kayakers. The private islands are custom-designed for those seeking the ultimate escape, and the new levels of luxury available in both the Cays and Great Exuma Island are a definite draw for lucky couples looking for the perfect spot for an island wedding or honeymoon.

The island’s enduring popularity is founded on its tropical greenery that stretches out to meet the warm, pink-hued sand beaches. Rows of century-old trees border narrow flower-lined streets. It’s a sight not to be missed. Read more at http://www.bahamas.com/out-islands/exumas.

Thoughts From The Deck - What One Passenger Wrote Of Their Liberty Clipper Visit

"As a lady who thought she'd sleep in each day, I found myself eager to get up every morning - to see the sunrise - to smell the fresh, hot coffee - to enjoy a quite place to sit to watch the day begin - to rediscover life.  Morning quickly became my favorite part of the day!

The Captain chooses a new spot to sail to everyday based on what the guest would like to do that day.  It could be snorkeling an old ship wreak, an old airplane crash or just dozens of coral reefs that surround the islands.  Sometimes it was as simple as hitting a beach where we are the only people to leave footprints that day.   A short walk in Gregorytown (Eleuthera) will take you to the Moon pools, which is a thousands years old coral reef area that is just spectacular!

If you find a beach you'd like to spend the day on, the cook has no problem putting together a hot or cold lunch to enjoy on the beach! In Governors Harbor (Eleuthera), there is a beautiful small village to wander around taking in all the color and heritage of the island!  Sometimes, sailing along, all you hear is the wind in the sails and the wash of the sea along the hull.  But then again, there's always a time to crank-up the Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley and the like, crack open a couple of cold ones and just have some fun!"