August 13-19, 2024

Please note: This event has limited lodging facilities at our destination venues and may sell out. We urge all participants to register at least 90 days in advance to ensure the best selection. Advance planning is necessary with all Bahamas events, and a special United States Customs decal is required for the boat. All attendees must travel with up-to-date passports. A complete list of preparation procedures will be provided by the FPC staff upon registration.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER >>

OUR DESTINATIONS:

The chain of Northern Bahamas Islands begins to the north of Grand Bahama Island and extends more than 100 miles eastward, wrapping around Great Abaco Island, the fourth largest island in the Bahamas. One of the most attractive features to boaters is the geography of the area and the abundance of calm protected waterways in the Sea of Abaco, which is bordered by islands to the north, east, and south. Commonly referred to as The Abacos, this island chain includes popular destinations such as Spanish Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Great Guana Cay, Treasure Cay, and Marsh Harbour, the largest town on Great Abaco. Lying just to the east of Abaco is Elbow Cay, which is home to the quaint island village known as Hope Town and is the final destination for this FPC August adventure.

After the first leg of the run to West End, Hope Town Inn & Marina provides our headquarters for the next three-night stopover, and from here FPC stages daytrips. Destinations include Pete’s Pub at Little Harbour (south) and area hotspots like No Name Cay, the home of Pig Beach, Green Turtle Club, and Nippers on Great Guana Cay. It is important to note that The Abacos are the “less traveled” islands of the Bahamas, partially due to their smaller size but also because of the slow rebuilding process after a path of destruction in this region from Hurricane Dorian in 2019. With many islands starting to show recovery, popular resorts and marinas are back open for business and FPC attendees had a wonderful experience during the recent 2023 edition of this FPC adventure.

EVENT VENUES:

As always, FPC Bahamas events begin with staging in Fort Lauderdale, where Harbourtowne Marina provides excellent launching and safe truck & trailer parking at reasonable rates. Attendees will overnight at the Doubletree by Hilton at Bahia Mar Yachting Center, and it is here that the FPC team will stage poker run check-in with a captains meeting and provide a block of rooms for guests priced well under the $200 per night range. After the Wednesday morning departure, Old Bahamas Bay Resort & Marina will be our event base for two consecutive nights, and guests will appreciate the quiet laid-back nature of this small resort, which features an amazing beach and relaxing atmosphere. A selection of suites begins at just under $400 per night, and some guests may enjoy the spacious two-bedroom suites that are ideal for families and larger groups.

As the event continues eastbound, our next resort venue is HOPE TOWN INN & MARINA on Elbow Cay just east of Great Abaco Island. This is one of the finest marine resorts in the region, with a wide selection of hotel rooms, cottages, and spacious villas, and a well-managed marina just a few steps away. The on-site restaurant provides fantastic food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a water taxi service offers transportation to other restaurants on the island.

THE AGENDA:

This event offers a six-night, seven-day format, covering a robust cruising agenda that can add up to well over seven hundred miles of boating with the inclusion of the boating daytrips. It is important to note that these are optional runs for participants to enjoy, and are by no means mandatory to attend. FPC’s event mission is to give our attendees the maximum enjoyment for their Bahamas adventure, and the daytrips are always presented with a very casual agenda that does not present challenging logistics. An average daytrip adventure may encompass 50-60 total miles of cruising to area hotspots, including restaurants, beaches, and sandbars. On this particular event, the longest boating daytrip is the Port Lucaya Run, from West End, and a scenic ride through Grand Bahama Island on the Grand Lucayan Waterway, logging in at about 80 miles total.

General Agenda:

Tues 8/13: Staging: Bahia Mar Yachting Center-Fort Lauderdale- Captains Meeting
Wed 8/14: Early Departure- Port Everglades to Old Bahama Bay- West End (90 miles)
Thur 8/15: Boating Daytrip to Port Lucaya and Grand Lucayan Waterway (80 miles)
Fri 8/16: Depart West End through Sea of Abaco to Spanish Cay and Hope Town (150 miles)
Sat 8/17: Boating daytrip Southbound – Little Harbour (60 miles)
Sun 8/18: Boating daytrip eastbound- Green Turtle Club / Great Guana Cay (70 miles)
Mon 8/19: Return from Elbow Cay through Sea of Abaco- Lunch /fuel at Old Bahama Bay (225 miles)

Total estimated travel (including all fun runs): 675 miles

LODGING & DOCKING OPTIONS:

Please note: FPC is committed to rooming contracts with our hotel partners and we will manage all reservations. Please do not attempt to book your own rooms as it will conflict with our hotel obligations.

Doubletree by Hilton:

Bahia Mar Yachting Center: $179/night – King/double

Old Bahama Bay Resort:

West End: King /Queen Oceanview $380
King Oceanfront: $440 – Two bedroom suites full kitchen/living room: $903/night

HopeTown Inn & Marina:

Main Hotel: Double Queen: $275/night plus taxes
Main Hotel: King Rooms: $295/night plus taxes
Main Hotel: 1 bedroom suite ( King + S/S) $375/night plus taxes 2 Bed/2 bath Garden Villas: $550/night + 3 Bed/3 Bath Marina Villas: $700-$850/night plus taxes

Docking Options: All resorts provide docking on-site. Rates range from $3.00/ft to $5.00/ft per night

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER >>