Have you ever gone on a cruise on a cruise ship or went to summer camp? You know how everything is scheduled and everyone is friends by the end of the time there…this is what George Town is like. I am not even joking…there is Yoga and Water Aerobics each morning, weekly poker tournaments, volleyball each afternoon, and fires & sundowners on the beach. And, if all that is not enough for you, there is plenty of hiking, snorkeling, restaurants with live bands, etc.
The harbor consists of multiple anchorages, which is the home to several hundred boats that come to this stop in the Bahamas, where they remain for the entire winter season. There is a Cruisers’ Net that comes over the VHF each morning to discuss the on-goings in the harbor, announces items available for Buy-Sell-Trade, and includes Arrivals and Departures of vessels to the area. To be honest, when we first arrived here all of this was very overwhelming, after we had spent over three months in pretty small, quiet anchorages.
We had an extended stay here as we waited for our guest (Frank) to arrive from Boston, Massachusetts. The timing could not have been more prefect. We ended up being at this island during the National Family Island Regatta, which we learned is the biggest sailing event in the Bahamas. Boats and people come from every island to participate in the races and festivities. Regatta Point, an otherwise quiet street, became an entire town of shacks and stages just for this event. Besides the races and drinking & eating, there were art exhibits, parades, a fashion show, and bands. It was amazing to see this quiet little town swell with thousands of people over the course of just a week. We had such a good time with Frank and miss him already!
Race boats arrive via barge or are towed by a power boat
Shacks being erected
Shacks ready for action
Cheers! Tasting our first Sky Juice. From left to right: Stacey & Jesse (sv Smitty), Chris & Jim (sv Radio Waves), Frank (sv Smitty guest)
Late night (well, early morning)….well past my bedtime, but well worth it
Chat’N’Chill is one of the famous stops of this area, just across the harbor from Georgetown on Stocking Island. They have a weekly pig roast, daily volleyball games, and of course a beach bar.
We did manage to snug into a quiet spot that hardly anyone goes to anchor called Redshanks. It was a great place to hide out from high winds that we kept experiencing. The most amount of boats that we saw in this area was about 15, which meant that the most beautiful beach was virtually all ours! We probably spent the most amount of our time while in Georgetown anchored here.
views around Redshanks
bridge that you go under as you dinghy to/from town.
On each larger island, there is a monument that identifies to approaching vessels which island that they are in fact approaching. The short hike up to the top of the hill to the monument on Monument Beach rewards you with the most spectacular views of the surrounding area.
sunset with Deborah & Keith (sv Wrightaway)
spotted this eel as we were snorkeling
You get a pretty diverse group of visitors to this island
This kid kicked my butt at checkers (likely because he made up new rules as we played)
Bubbly pool – nice afternoon of relaxing and wine with Radio Waves’ crew
weenie roast on Frank’s last night
Flip Flop Beach
this is how the local police handle derelict boats
sadly, this was where we departed ways with Radio Waves. Thank you both again for everything – we had a really great time enjoying this experience with you!
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