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| Sea Kayaking in the Bahamas |  |
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Imagine gliding through crystal clear turquoise waters by day and camping on deserted white-sand beaches by night... Exploring a different island day after day, watching manta rays dart about the sea... Revelling in dazzling sunsets while drinking rum punch. Imagine doing it every day for a year. Maybe the last part isn’t ideal, maybe it’s impractical. The point is, it’s possible. And some might say it’s near perfect too. The Bahamas have long been a popular destination for the sun and sand. Now, its picture-perfect sea is earning the Caribbean islands top praise as a sea kayaking destination. For a start, its waters are a paddling paradise. Named Baja Mar (shallow sea) in Spanish, the area is known for its bonefish flats—vast expanses of water sometimes only knee deep—that allow kayakers to paddle undisturbed for days on end. Its pristine, unpolluted waters average a balmy 31°C (88°F) and are home to hidden caves, tropical fish and vibrant coral, much of it visible from a paddler’s floating modus operandi. And then there’s the real draw—hundreds of diverse and remote cays (pronounced keys) and the miles of coastline they offer. The Exuma archipelago alone consists of 365 cays, meaning kayakers could in theory explore a different island each day of the year. WHAT TO EXPECT
Seasoned paddlers and newbies alike can embark on fully-guided, multi-day camping excursions. Or, for those just wanting to dip their toes in the water, day paddles are possible almost anywhere in the Bahamas. MULTI-DAY EXCURSIONS There are dozens of reasons to choose a multi-day sea kayaking excursion, not least for the aforementioned white-sand beaches, countless cays and impressive sunsets. Plus, getting to the Out Islands (the local term for Bahamas' less-busy barrier islands) means paddling into territory free of mass tourism—where the glitter of Nassau is replaced by nothing but miles of shimmering ocean and where paddlers are far more likely to see blue holes and blow holes than high-rise hotels. Popular Paddles The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is the most popular destination for week-long adventures. The Exuma Cays stretch across the Caribbean for almost 150 km (90 mi), offering unspoiled landscapes, vibrant aquamarine life and Bahamian culture along the way. The Land and Sea Park was established in 1958 as a no-take fishery and touring the reserve means witnessing centuries-old tortoises, white-tailed tropicbirds and Bahamian dragons (a local species of iguana). The Great Bahama Bank is equally enticing. The bank is an expansive section of ocean above limestone platforms off the coast of Andros Island and west of the Exuma archipelago. Its sandy shoals make kayaking and snorkelling trips an ideal way to explore the geological uniqueness of the bank, while its swirl of cobalt, cyan, sapphire and emerald-coloured waters transport paddlers to a tropical paradise.
Operators Ibis Tours is a Florida-based operator that specializes in kayaking trips in the Bahamas. Classic trips operate from March through May and run for eight days from George Town to Staniel Cay. Starfish Exuma Adventures also offers eight-day trips to the Land and Sea Park, as well as two-day excursions exploring mangrove colonies and bonefish flats around the island of Great Exuma. For experienced paddlers who want to go it alone, the George Town operator rents kayaks, sails and camping gear. Bahamas Out-Island Adventures tours Eleuthera Island with overnight kayaking adventures (and day trips), as well as specializing in surfing and snorkelling excursions. Other operators, such as River and Trail Outfitters, Wilderness Inquiry and Kayak Voyagers (all based outside the Bahamas) feature similar kayaking itineraries, with the difference being that trips to the Bahamas are scheduled once a year, rather than on an ongoing basis. The latter company trades beach camping for a live-aboard catamaran, which serves as launch site and support ship, complete with hot showers, crew-prepared meals and comfy cabins. DAY PADDLES For those with less time, less money in the account or just less inclination for their days and nights to be overtaken by sand (and fearless iguanas), day trips provide tantalizing tasters. Some guided paddles are available in glass-bottomed kayaks, some specialize in family outings and others visit underwater caves. Experienced sea kayakers can tour DIY-style with rentals from a host of tour companies and resorts.
The Lucayan National Park, just east of Freeport on the island of Grand Bahama, is home to one of the world’s longest underwater cave systems. The park’s calm, shallow inlets make for easy paddling and kayakers are treated to stalagmites, mangroves, ferns and orchids. Bimini, considered the gateway to the Bahamas, is a tiny chain of islands that Ernest Hemingway fell in love with in the 1930s and today many follow his example. Kayakers can spot Atlantic spotted dolphins off North Bimini or paddle to the Healing Hole, a prized natural spring surrounded by mangrove mud that boasts waters with alleged healing properties. Nassau, on New Providence, combines culture with kayaking. The Bahamas’ capital city is a popular sightseeing destination but its stunning beaches (over 15 to choose from) and coastline play their part to entice visitors away from its hustle and bustle and historic city centre and into the emerald-blue expanse. San Salvador is the polar opposite of Nassau. The pace is slow, the beaches secluded, the nightlife a task of the stars. Off the island, however, it’s a different story. The island’s sparkling translucent waters are a hubbub of activity with hundreds of species of fish and marine life, making it one of the best diving and snorkelling sites in the Caribbean. San Salvador also has the honour of being the site of Christopher Columbus’ historic landfall in 1492.
Grand Bahama Nature Tours is a leading eco-tour operator in the area and offers kayaking trips to Lucayan National Park. Wide, stable kayaks are used and even feature infant seats. Participants can choose combination tours that also visit the park’s cave system or include snorkelling as part of an outing. In Nassau, Bahamas Undersea Adventures adds power to paddling with its kayaking and power snorkel combo, during which swimmers hold on to engine-powered sea scooters. Those wishing to stay on the surface of the water need not miss out on the beauty below. The operator also uses clear, transparent kayaks, thereby converting the vessels from mere floating devices into underwater lenses. On South Bimini, the Recreation and Activity Centre at Bimini Sands Resort offers both guided day tours and kayak rentals for exploring the islands’ mangrove creek mazes, lagoons and the Healing Hole. Rolle’s Sea Kayaking Tours specializes in similar guided trips and rentals in the Exuma Cays and especially caters to family outings. Most private hotels and resorts also have kayaks and guides available to guests. If you enjoyed this feature, take a look at these great WorldWeb.com articles: • Secrets Beneath the Sea: The Best Dive Sites in the British Virgin Islands • Sea Kayaking & Whale Watching on the BC Coast PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
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