I have been to both the BVI's and the Bahamas. Both are wonderful, but somewhat different (no snow). February, as others have mentioned is early. Expect more cold fronts, but still no snow. March and April are better as it will warm up some. I have always sailed to the Abacos from Florida or elsewhere in the Bahamas, so the Bahamian experience is quite different that way than the BVI's. You are more exposed, I think you need more experience because you can get into trouble (always check your weather windows), but don't let me confuse you......sailing out of the Moorings (Marsh Harbour) is inside the reefs and you are never out of sight of land and cannot get into much trouble (which is what you want when you are on vacation). I have been stuck in the Abacos when seas on the outside were 18 feet and higher. But, who cares? You are still living the life of a beach bum sailor in the sea of Abacos and that ain't bad at all. There are no mooring balls (except for a few in front of a few island clubs (like Great Guana Seaside used to have one that you could use if you ate dinner there - but I heard it was wiped out by a hurricane some years ago and I never did find out if it was rebuilt). Basically you have to anchor. But, how long you donna be gone? A week, two? There's plenty to do especially if you like to get into the water. I think the Moorings insist that you stay inside the reef area and can't venture out on the Atlantic and sail to Spanish Wells or elsewhere (for instance). If you want to do that, then find another charter company like there used to be some on Eluethera where you could do that. Green Turtle Cay is on the N/W end of the area we are talking about. To get there you have to go around Whale Cay Cut and back in again, which sometimes can be rough. Shallow drafted boats, however, don't have to go on the outside because they can work their way inside the reef. As you work your way east and then south, there is plenty of cruising ground to eat up a week or two. Treasure Cay has a marina, but most people anchor out and take dinghies in to shore. Some of the most beautiful beaches I have seen are at Treasure Cay (you have to walk to them from the marina to the other side of the road). There is a bar and restaurant at the marina, or Coco's across the road on the beach. When I was there last (a few years back), they had a cool happy hour there on Tuesday evenings and the people who had houses there all came down to the bar to party. There are other places that have eats, fun and drinks and one was mentioned earlier called Nippers. They have a big Pig Roast I think on Thursdays. Another place in the Marsh Harbour anchorage area was the Jib Room that had a happy hour where you poured your own drinks. My point is that there is plenty to do and places to go if you want night life. But it mostly is in the Marsh Harbour area. There are a number of Islands to visit. Man O War Cay is the boat building island of that area. It is alcohol free (no bars) - you have to bring your own, but it is a lovely place to spend a day at. Any barrier island often has great beaches on the Atlantic side to visit. It is a pretty picked over area for lobster, but I have been successful everytime I have gone there, but I sorta know where to go. Also spearing fish with a Hawai'ian sling is great too. Lots of Hog Fish (sweet meat). The water is quite clear and there is an underwater park that is protected, so teaming with fish, etc. You can find out everything that is going on including the weather on the Cruiser Net which is a VHF broadcast each morning where Patti (if she is still there) and Barometer Bob (if he is still there) broadcast who is having special events, bands, meals, etc. during the day/week. What is different about the Bahamas is you have a lot of bonnafied cruisers running through there, where in the BVI's you have a bunch of charters there. Often the Bahamian sailors are a bit saltier and more experienced than the average charterer. You can work your way south to Hope Town and there is more life night there. From there you work your way south (shallow, but there is a channel) where you run by Tilloo Cay and eventually get to the bottom of where they allow you to sail and that is Little Harbour. But, it is a must do thing to do. In Little Harbour you can take a multi hull through the shallow channel and anchor in a very protected spot. But the cool thing you will find is Pete's Pub, which is a neat beach bar as cool as Foxy's if not cooler (but not a famous). I was skippering a 47' ketch so I had to anchor out near Lynard Cay (sp?) and dinghy in. I have always said it is better in the Bahamas, but I have sailed all over them and there's lots to see and it is fun living off the ocean. You don't do so much of that in the BVI's but the BVI's is a great experience and the island night life is fun too. Have fun where ever you end up.
