2009 Cruising Guide: Abaco, Bahamas

If you are planning a voyage to the Abaco Islands or simply dreaming of island waters, the 2009 edition of The Cruising Guide to Abaco, Bahamas by Steve Dodge remains an essential resource for sailors and cruisers. Published by White Sound Press and widely used by mariners, this guide combines practical navigation updates with on-the-ground local knowledge that helps make cruising in the Abacos safer and more enjoyable.

Produced in a softcover, spiral-bound format for durability and ease of use aboard, the guide is now in its 20th year and continues to be the only annually updated cruising guide dedicated to the Abaco, Bahamas area. The 2009 edition features full-color photographs and clear illustrations for each island destination, making it a useful visual companion for route planning and identifying anchorages, marinas, and shoreline features.

Updated Charts and Navigational Data

The 2009 guide includes two newly added charts of Abaco and incorporates significant revisions to 14 other charts following re-surveys conducted in the summer of 2008. These updated charts reflect recent changes in shoals, channels, and other navigational details that are critical for safe passage in the often-shallow and complex waters around the islands. In addition, the guide provides current tide tables for the year, allowing skippers to plan passages, entries and exits with greater confidence.

Practical Onboard Features

Beyond charts and tide information, the guide is designed as a practical onboard tool. It contains marina maps and useful harbor details, plus an updated business directory that lists local marine services, fuel docks, provisioning options, and other services valuable to cruising crews. The guide’s layout and spiral binding make it convenient to consult while standing at a chart table or using it as a quick reference while approaching a harbor.

Local Knowledge and Destination Notes

Steve Dodge draws on many years of cruising experience in the Bahamas to provide detailed local knowledge for each destination covered. These destination notes include suggestions for anchorages, warnings about local hazards, and tips on where to find shelter, provisioning, and services. Such firsthand guidance is especially useful in the Abacos, where conditions and navigational challenges can change seasonally and from one passage to the next.

Who Should Use This Guide

The 2009 Cruising Guide to Abaco, Bahamas is aimed at cruising sailors, liveaboard boaters, charter skippers and anyone planning extended passages through the Bahamas. Its combination of updated charts, tide tables, marina plans and local recommendations makes it appropriate for both pre-cruise planning and as an at-sea reference. Even experienced skippers benefit from the annual updates and re-survey information that highlight recent changes in the cruising grounds.

Author and Publication

Steve Dodge has cruised the Abaco area for many years and first published his cruising guide in 1989. Over the decades he has become a recognized voice on Bahamian navigation and cruising, authoring several nautical titles. This edition from White Sound Press continues that tradition of practical, user-focused cruising information for the Abacos.

For information, visit www.wspress.com

This article originally appeared in the March 2009 issue.