Surfing in the Bahamas

Hi All-

Has anyone surfed in the Bahamas? From what I have read, Abacos and Eleuthera are the best spots. When is the best time of year (I asume winter)? Are they mostly reef breaks? How big? Is it difficult to move between islands? Can you drive from Nassau to Eleuthera Island? How long is the trip?

Any info is greatly appreciated.

Richard

To drive from Nassau to Eleuthera, Start at the bridge on Queen Elizabeth Street go over it. Continue and make a right at the first stoplight. Take a left at the end of the road. Go three hundred miles until you see a fork in the road. Veer right and get off at the Gregorytown exit. Make sure you are in the right hand lane as traffic is very busy especially at rush hour.

Aloha,

I've been to the Abacos twice. There are a variety of breaks, most of them coral/limestone. Reef boots are a good idea. I went in the fall both times. It was onshore wind swell most of the time. Winter is more like to give swell with offshores. I've seen pictures of solid 2xOH surf, although it is more likely to be flat/small.

Uhhh-h. Drive, as in boats? A lot of people rent boats there. You may need to show proof of piloting ability before someone is going to rent you a 39' sailboat. I heard a story about some guys that got drunk at the Elbow Cay Beach Inn, then ran their boat into Banana Cay, killing one. Don't drink and 'drive.'

BTWeaver

Ferg,

Thanks for posting those pics. A life-time ago I had a gig there teaching sailing (circa 1969) and did some surfing on that very beach. Thing is, I remember a section of it with some caves in the face of some rock (or coral) bluffs. Surfers from Florida were known to hang out there and camp in the caves.

Also, I remember a huge cave near Gregorytown that you got to by finding a sink hole near a huge tree. This cave had two levels w/ fresh water running through the lower. Locals took a couple of us for an incredible tour of it.

What you said about the people there is exactly how I remember them. One guy in particular would take me to his uncle's distillery where we could sample the pineapple rum and sit in the shade of this tree that provided some weird but tasty fruit. The rum was bottled in whatever bottles were handy. I know I came home w/ two bottles I managed to get past customs and various other authorities (I was under age at the time).

Nassau was all you said too. As a matter of fact I nearly landed in jail there for lack of work permit (and the right political pull).

It was great to see those pics.

Todd (another GL surfer)

My pleasure, it's fun to share.

That sounds neat. I never saw any caves that were too deep, except Preacher's Cave. I guess that's something to ask about next time. My retired parents will be on a boat in the Bahamas this spring so I'll probably head back over there again soon to meet them, either at Eleuthera or Abaco.

Somewhere they have a picture of me about 8 years old standing next to the Columbus cross on San Salvador.