Berries to Nassau
11 March 2009 | Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas
Glenn.

After a relaxing night at anchor in the Berry Islands, we rose early to prepare to put to sea; bound for Nassau on New Providence Island. In the dark we could feel more wind and the ominous sound of waves crashing against rocks on the ocean side of Great Stirrup Cay. Rounding the corner found that the wind and waves were not nearly as bad as they sounded...more boat roll than the previous day, but still a good day. After about an hour, and after our first waypoint, we were joined by two other boats sailing out of another harbour, also towards Nassau. We roughly traveled in their company the rest of the day & way into Nassau.
After motoring for more about half the day, we unrolled out foresail and fell off the wind a bit and motor-sailed the rest of the way into Nassau...sure picked up our speed and steadied the boat against roll from the ocean swell.
It's a pretty cool site to see a city rising from the ocean as one approaches from the sea. The first thing you see approaching Nassau is the enormous and famous Atlantis resort towering on Paradise Island & then the buildings of the rest of Nassau gradually appear from the sea.
Entering Nassau Harbour was interesting; had to call Harbour Control before entering the harbour - had to give them our vessel name, country of registry & intentions, as well as official registration numbers, before entering. This is something that we had not had to do, even in Miami Harbor.
It was pretty cool to sail into harbour amongst a bevy of cruise ships, mega yachts, island freighters and many cruising boats. We took a slip for the first couple days at Nassau Harbour Club and then moved out onto anchor to save money.