BAHAMAS QUESTIONS PEOPLE FREQUENTLY ASK US
How far in advance should I book my trip?
Book as far in advance as you possibly can. Booking a year in advance for prime dates is not too far for the better bonefishing lodges, including Tranquility Hill. Booking at least six months is recommended, though at times there ar still dates available closer to the time you plan to travel. Remember that April and May are the most popular bonefishing months, and the top guides at Tranquility and other lodges are requested well in advance for these months. Also, if you plan on using frequent flier miles for travel, booking six months ahead is minimum.
How is the drinking water?
You can drink the water from the tap at the major resorts in Nassau and Freeport. Otherwise, each island is different and you should use caution. Andros Island has more fresh water that any Bahamian island, yet we always drink bottled water on Andros. Tranquility Hill has bottled water in the rooms, which should also be used for brushing your teeth. Tranquility services good quality water with all meals in the dining room, and bottled water is also available at the bar. We recommend drinking bottled water at all times throughout most of the Bahamas, if for nothing else but the taste. As a doctor friend of our says, "any time you change your water, your system can get upset. Why take a chance on ruining your vacation?" Bottled drinking water is available on all the Out Islands.
Are groceries and liquor available on the Out Islands?
This depends on the island, but all the islands rely on supply boats or aircraft. The smaller the settlement or the more remote a location, the less often it is resupplied. This includes some of the established fishing lodges. It is not uncommon for fresh fruit, produce, milk, or red meat to run low, or run out. At times, bottled water can run out. Red meat, milk and eggs are also expensive items in general. Tranquility Hill does a good job of keeping their lodge supplied, and all meals, including apre-fishing snacks, are included in your fishing package. If you have special requests for food, soft drink, liquor, or need a special diet, you need to make these arrangements ahead of time, and we suggest doing this at the time you make your booking. Also, you can take your own liquor and wine to Tranquility and they will provide glasses, mixers, ice, etc. Our motto is simple, "when in doubt, stock up." If we're staying in a rented house, cottage, or whatever, we stock up right away, or as soon as we can, based on available supplies. We also establish a rapport with the local grocery people to find out the resupply days. It pays to be at the store when the boat arrives. You need to find out ahead of time if liquor is available at local stores, so you can take your own if necessary. If you like particular brands of wine or liquor, we recommend that you take them with you. Kalik, the beer of The Bahamas, is available almost everywhere.
How do payments work on the Out Islands? Are credit cards and traveler's checks okay?
Cash is always accepted and preferred. U.S. dollars are one-to-one with the Bahamian dollar, and both are accepted everywhere. Travelers' checks, credit cards and personal checks, when accepted, will often be charged a service fee of 2 percent to 5 percent per use. Many Out Island establishments do not accept credit cards, traveler's checks or personal checks, period. Also, change may not be available for large bills, so be sure to have plenty of small bills. It is your responsibility to know what forms of payment are accepted at each location you visit. We recommend the use of a professional travel agent to make sure that none of these little details slip by. If you are booking on your own, make sure you know all payment and cancellation policies.
Is medical care available?
Yes, but depending on where you are, it might take hours to reach a clinic or a doctor. There is a good clinic in Fresh Creek on Andros, which is about a thirty minute drive from Tranquility Hill. National health care clinics in The Bahamas are good. In addition to larger facilities in Freeport and Nassau, the Ministry of Health operates more than one hundred clinics throughout the Out Islands. As in the U.S., the larger clinics offer more services than the smaller, remote clinics. When additional care is needed, patients are flown to Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau. For very serious accidents and illnesses, Air Ambulance services can be called to evacuate people to West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale or Miami. You will be billed for this service, and rates are extremely high. Prescription drugs are available in the larger towns and settlements, but supplies can be limited. You should take all necessary prescription medicines with you in your carry-on luggage. You should always travel with your health insurance card or information. We recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance, which can also include trip health insurance. It is your responsibility to know what care is or is not available at any destination you visit.
What about boat, car, golf cart and other rentals?
All types of rentals are available in Nassau and Freeport. Limited rentals are available on the Out Islands. We recommend booking your rentals ahead of time, along with the rest of your trip. Booking rentals ahead of time is essential during the prime months, especially in places like Treasure Cay or Elbow Cay, where boats, cars, and golf carts are limited in numbers. Car rentals are generally expensive, between $60 and $80 per day, though deals are available for rentals of a week or more. Rentals cars are available on Andros, mainly in Fresh Creek, but you will not need a car for your stay at Tranquility Hill.
Should I bring my own fishing gear?
Definitely! You should always take your own flyfishing gear. Very few lodges or guides have equipment for clients to use, though the better guides will have back-up gear if something happens to yours. Some lodges do have rental flyfishing equipment. Tranquility does not have rental fly fishing gear at the moment, but they do have back-up gear if something happens to yours, or your break a rod. You should check on this in advance of your trip. Conventional fishing gear is more readily available, though we recommend taking your own if you have it. Most offshore fishing boats provide conventional fishing gear and lures. There is always an additional charge for bait.
Should I take my own snorkeling and diving gear?
Yes, definitely your own snorkeling gear, but thhe better dive operations will have complete diving and snorkeling gear. You should confirm this before your trip and reserve this gear in advance however. We always take our own masks, snorkels and fins. This way we are sure the gear fits comfortably, and we have the flexibility to use it whenever we choose. One of the best dive operations in the Bahamas is Small Hope Bay Lodge, located just north of Fresh Creek on Andros. Tranquility Hill can arrange for you to go on a snorkeling or diving trip with Small Hope if someone in your party does not wish to fish every day.
How is the nightlife, including restaurants?
Nightlife rocks in Nassau and Freeport. Everywhere else it is fairly sedate, though special parties and events are held throughout the Out Islands, most commonly on Friday and Saturday nights. As for restaurants, we suggest making reservations, or at least confirming hours of operation, in all cases. The better Out Island restaurants fill up during prime months, and others may or may not open unless they have reservations. There are often bands that play at various places in the Behring Point and Cargill Creek area. Check with the Tranquility manager, or your guide, to see what's happening. The locals are very friendly, and you are always welcome at one of these parties. Lot's of fun!
Will my cellular phone operate in The Bahamas?
If you must take your phone, you will need to register it with the Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation. You can call them at 242 394-4000 or contact them by fax at 242 394-3573. After registering your phone, it should work in Nassau and Freeport, but cell service is limited or unavailable on most of the Out Islands.
What about bugs?
Yep, lots of bugs live in The Bahamas. The islands with a lot of fresh water lakes, like Andros, have the most "doctor flies." These big green-headed flies draw blood when they bite. They mostly live around mangroves, so you'll be most susceptible when you're out fishing. Wearing long pants will protect you, especially when wading, as these bugs mostly like to bite legs and feet. Around lodges and on the beaches, mosquitoes and no see 'ums will be out when the wind is down, and in the evening and early morning. Avon Skin So Soft works against the no see 'ums, while regular DEET-enhanced repellant works against the mosquitoes. If the bugs really like you, wear a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and shoes with socks when you go out to dinner.
How do I get tide information for the Out Islands?
Visit "The Bahamas Fly-Fishing Guide" online at the book's web site at BFFG. We have specific tide information for every island. If you would like to purchase your own tide software, call Bluewater Books & Charts at 800 942-2583.
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