Don't worry, there are no stupid questions. Chances are it's been asked before so scroll down for a list of some popular ones.
Do I need to know how to sail?
- Nope, no previous sailing experience is required. Just a yearning for adventure.
- Absolutely! You'll be able to learn all about sailing and possibly gain US Sailing/American Sailing Association certification. I encourage people to get hands-on and help with crewing the yacht.
- The same as you would eat on land, arguably even better! We provision for the week before departure and cook all our meals aboard in the boats full kitchen. Typically, bacon and eggs for breakfast, sandwiches, fresh fish, and finger foods for lunch, and pasta or rice with seafood/poultry/beef and veggies for dinner.
- Fear not! We've dealt with sensitive diets before and are happy to accommodate your dietary needs.
- On the boat! Between three private cabins, the main salon conversion couch/bed, and a couple hammocks on deck...there's plenty of places to sleep.
- Almost certainly not. Our popular week-long charters are in protected waters and not exposed to serious ocean swell. If you are prone to motion sickness though, we can recommend some simple remedies to alleviate your stress.
- Typically only between 3-5 hours each day in the morning/early afternoon until we reach our next island destination. However, on great wind days, crews in the past have opted to sail much longer on a given day to learn more about sailing and experience the open water.
- We take bad weather very seriously. Local weather forecasts are provided to us on a daily basis from a variety of sources and your skipper will not take any unnecessary risks. Don't worry, in the unlikely event of extended inclement weather, we'll fully reimburse you for any vacation days lost. That's yet to happen though.
- Yes! Statistically speaking, sailing is a very safe sport and sailors are incredibly safety-conscious - often exceeding national and international safety requirements. Not surprisingly, common sense is the strongest asset to a sailor. While major emergencies during our trip are HIGHLY unlikely, it's important to remember that ultimately, your Captain's word is final regarding any safety issues.
- Your skipper has grown up sailing and racing small boats, founded the sailing club at The University of Pittsburgh, sailed yachts up and down the USA East Coast extensively, sailed/raced in Australia and New Zealand, and worked as a delivery captain and crew throughout USA and Caribbean waters. He holds certifications from the American Sailing Association (ASA) up to Level 104 "Bareboat Chartering", is a US Sailing Instructor, and soon to be licensed US Coast Guard Captain. He is a certified EMT, and is fully insured through Boat US, US Sailing, ASA, and The Moorings. To date, he's completed five wildly successful week-long charters with mostly non-sailor crews....thus his inspiration to found Windswept Adventures....and logged over 13,500 nautical miles of offshore sailing.
- Not everywhere....for example, protected reef areas in the Abaco Islands such as the Fowl Cay Marine Preserve, Mermaid Reef, and Sandy Cay Reef area do not allow spearfishing. Regions not protected by national or state park services are all fair game! Spear away.
- And it is just sooooo delicious. Conch salad is a local specialty and we typically indulge whenever ashore.
- Flying to Marsh Harbour has gotten exceedingly easier in the last two years. Numerous airlines such as American, US Airways, BahamasAir, United, and Silver Airlines fly directly to Marsh Harbour from many south Florida locations. In addition, Nassau is serviced by more airlines such as Southwest and Delta, and has 30min connecting flights to Marsh Harbour via BahamasAir.
- Past crews have found that $200 was more than sufficient to cover their extra expenses during the week. While nearly everything you need is included with your total cost, extras such as more booze, meals ashore, souvenirs, and other indulgences are considered personal expenses.
- Please do.
- Yes! The Bahamas and British Virgin Islands are NOT part of the USA, you must bring a passport with you!! For Florida Keys or offshore training passages, however, you will not be required to have a passport.
- Interestingly, US currency is 100% accepted anywhere in the Bahamas & BVIs. The exchange rate between the Bahamanian dollar and USD is locked at $1 : $1 so USD and BHD will be used by locals interchangeably.
- Yes, please consider a sacrifice of hair, blood, or drink to Neptune prior to departure to ensure our safe tidings.
- Absolutely. The Bahamas & Virgin Islands are home to Reef sharks, Blacktips, Tigers, Nurses, Bulls, and Lemons. Sharks are known to enter harbors at dusk to feed so maybe curb your night swimming in popular marinas....
- No. Shark attacks are very uncommon in the Bahamas & Virgin Islands. Don't go provoking the sharks though, and if they go after your speared fish....please forfeit the fish.
- Noname Cay is home to some feral pigs which are very curious and friendly. They like to drink fresh water and eat ice and food scraps so we'll likely pay them a visit during our trip. Try not to let them into the dinghy.
- Technically, yes. In the Bahamas, all the beaches are public property...so even if an island is "private" the beach is still public.
- Good question. We boast the cheapest sailing charter vacation available right now partly because of partnerships with the yacht charter company, The Moorings, and partly because your skipper is passionate about minimizing your exclusion on the basis of cost. If money is an issue but you're still keen to join a trip - PLEASE still reach out to Vinny....we can work something out.
- We will be serviced by our charter parent company, The Moorings, within 2 hours tops. However, our vessel's engine is immaculately maintained.
- Two actually. One in the cabin in the aft head (bathroom) and one outdoor astern on the swim platform. Keep in mind that we have a limited supply of fresh water aboard to so try to keep showers short. Bathe in the ocean! We provide biodegradable soap!
- We're glad you asked! Bananas are bad luck and banned from our vessels. The same goes for Banana Boat sunscreen, Banana bread, Bananagrams, and banana-scented lotions.
- Kalik and Sands are the local beers, and resemble Corona which is also available throughout the islands with Heineken and Budweiser.
- Your skipper is an EMT and will assess the severity of the situation, cease operation of the vessel, treat the injury, or take action to transport you to the nearest clinical facilities.
- We sail the Sea of Abaco from Manjack Cay in the north to the southern tip of Elbow Cay in the south. In the BVIs we sail the entire region from Tortola to Virgin Gorda, and everywhere in between. In the Florida Keys, we'll likely explore out to the Dry Tortugas, FL Keys National Park, and perhaps up toward Marathon as well.
- In the Bahamas and BVIs, not unless it's unlocked and you buy a Bahamanian SIM card upon arrival (not recommended) or you pay for an international plan and connect to a local network. You can still iMessage over wifi, available at most marinas for a fee. This is a vacation though, who needs phones!?