Welcome to paradise! White beaches, blue skies and even bluer water is what you have to look forward to for the next week. Oh, and maybe a little fishing, snorkelling, kayaking, paddle boarding and hoisting the sails. The Bahamas [along with the Turks & Caicos] form the Lucayan Archipelago which covers an area in excess of 14,000 km and over 29 islands, 660 cays and nearly 2,400 islets making the Bahamas a true sailor’s paradise. The archipelago was named after the first known inhabitants the Lucayans, an indigenous people who were the first Americans to come into contact with Christopher Columbus. The most western reach of the Bahamas is Bimini which is 80 km from Florida while Cay Sal Bank is only 50 km from the coast of Cuba, making it closer to Cuba than its nearest Bahamian island neighbour. Our trip starts in Marsh Harbour, the main town on the Abaco Islands. The Abacos chain is formed in a boomerang shape and stretches nearly 210 kms from Walkers Cay in the north, to Hole-in-the-Wall in the south. Abaco is the second largest island in the Bahamas and Marsh Harbour, our starting point, is the 8th largest town in the Bahamas with a population of 5,300. Marsh Harbour has all the available services required to provision yachts as well as post offices, supermarkets and banks [please refer to Money Matters for information on ATM’s and credit cards]. The outer cays and islands of the Abacos create naturally protected waters commonly referred to as the Sea of Abaco. The temperatures in the island chain are generally cooler than the other islands with summer temperatures average 26.5°C to 29.4°C. Our group will meet at the Marina at 3pm for a group meeting which includes a detailed safety briefing. Once the cabins have been allocated the group will head off to buy provisions for the next week. For dinner you can either choose to dine at a nearby restaurant or get acquainted with the galley [kitchen] on board the yacht.

We’ve got an early start today this morning to as we set sail to the Berry Islands. We’ll be sailing for approx 50 nm which will take around 6-7 hours. The Berry Islands are known for their abundance of fish, known as the ‘Fishbowl of the Bahamas’ and ‘the Billfish Capital of the Bahamas’ so we hope to thrown a couple of lines out here and catch tonight’s dinner. The Berry Islands are made up of over 30 cays, with a total land mass of 31 square kms, which offer some of the best snorkelling, kayaking, paddle boarding and beachcombing in the Bahamas. A number of the islands in the group are private islands and it’s said there are more millionaires per square kilometre than any other place in the world! The main attraction in the Berry Islands is the game fishing, with a number of tournaments held yearly, however the beaches are definitely one of the highlights. The largest Island, Great Harbour Cay features 11 continuous kilometres of beach that includes Sugar Beach - a constant inclusion in the ‘top beaches’ of the Bahamas. Wild dolphins and a small ‘aggregations’ of manatees [gatherings] can be found in the waters off Great Harbour Cay.

Andros Island is the largest island of The Bahamas, fringing the Andros Barrier Reef the 3rd largest barrier reef at over 300 kms long. The reef run parallel to the east coast of the island and slopes down to a vertical cliff 20 metres below the surface and drops to over 2000 metres to a deep ocean trench called the Tongue of the Ocean. Andros Island is also home to more ‘blue holes’ than anywhere else in the world. With the reef and blue holes, there region is teeming with a huge variety of exotic fish and marine life including marlin, green turtles, reef sharks, tuna, snappers and if we’re lucky Humpback whales during their migration [Humpbacks used to be very common and found around The Tongue of the Ocean however their visits are now less frequent]. The islands are covered in a vast area or wetlands and mangroves which are home to some 225 species of birds. With the kayaks and paddle boards we’ll be able to go exploring deep into the waterways and hope to spot a Cuban emerald hummingbird or the Bahama mockingbird. Along the way we may sight one of the 50 species of orchids that grow in the swamps and forests of Andros Islands.

Located 50 kms north of Cuba Cay and separated by the Nicholas Channel. The US coast guard regularly monitors the bank as it was once a landing point for Cuban refugees. The remains of a settlement can be seen but the draw to Cay Sal Bank is it’s diving - please note diving is not included on this trip and as we are on the move daily there won’t be time to join a live aboard – however the snorkelling is pretty amazing. There are number of blue holes, spectacular virgin coral reefs that teem with marine life, and the wreck of the M/V Cork. We’ll be travelling with snorkelling equipment, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards, which will be available for you to use throughout the trip.

Bienvenido! Welcome to Cuba. With Spanish, African and Creole influences, modern Cuba is home to a fascinating tapestry of cultural influences. This is evident in the music, dance and food that the charismatic Cuban people are happy to share with visitors. It’s well known that Cubans loves music and dance – with everything from Afro-Cuban rhythms to classic melodies permeating the atmosphere of clubs, bars, restaurants and street corners. The modern arts are also embraced here, with ballet, modern dance and film also rising in popularity, so much so that Havana is now home to many internationally recognised film, literary and music festivals. Living in a Communist country means Cubans sometimes go without the luxury items that many Westerners take for granted, with certain foods and products not available to the Cuban public. Despite this, special events like birthdays, holidays and marriages are celebrated with gusto, with special foods, music and dance featuring. This love of life is also evident in the street parties, festivals and fiestas that are celebrated throughout the year. Coffee, cigars and rum are consumed freely and people dance with confident grace as the sound of trumpets and guitars fill the air. Visitors to Cuba will soon be enamoured with this uniquely infectious way of life and culture, not seen anywhere else in the world. There are only certain marinas and ports where foreign registered vessels can arrive in Cuba. Our plan is to arrive at the Ernest Hemingway Marina [Marina Hemingway]. The skipper will start the customs clearance and passport procedure process before we arrive in port by making a call to the harbour master. Travellers will not be able to disembark the boat until officials from immigration, customs and the Coast Guard have boarded the boat to complete the paperwork. Please note this process can sometimes take up to 2 hours. All travellers must hold a valid passport that has a minimum of 6 months validity beyond your departure from Cuba [we will be departing Havana on 12 October so you must have 6 months validity from that date]. Most nationals are issued with a Tourist Card/Visa on arrival which will be issued as part of the immigration process. The cost is approx CUC25 however this can change at any time so please ensure you have additional money to cover an increase. If you are an American citizen, American permanent resident, or hold any type of American Visa, and are considering travelling to Cuba, please refer to the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs website - travel.state.gov - for the latest advice. You can also purchase cards in advance through www.cubavisas.com. Due to the fact that we don’t have a definitive arrival time in Havana there will be no organised activities this afternoon. For dinner, which is optional, we’ll get the lowdown from our local leaders on the best, most authentic home run restaurant, followed by the a roof top bar for some salsa dancing. Tomorrow we set off on a Havana Old Town Walking tour with Urban Adventures. Thankfully the start time is not too early giving you enough time to sleep off the Mojitos. We’ll walk or taxi into the old town to meet our guide at 12:00pm and begin the tour. This Havana tour won’t just show you the best of Old Havana, it’ll show you the best of Old Havana from a local perspective. Our local English speaking guide will take you through the labyrinth of streets of one of the oldest cities in the Western Hemisphere, where you’ll discover the enchanting secrets of this living museum where residents live amongst the unique charm and haunting decay of buildings dating as far back as the 16th century. Havana is the largest city in the Caribbean and was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. Restoration is occurring slowly, so while many of the main buildings are excellently restored to their original glory, others have taken on their own look by being left to age naturally, virtually neglected since the Revolution triumphed more than 50 years ago. You’ll also enjoy a delicious local Havana lunch in a café or restaurant in one of the Old Havana Plazas, and finish the Havana city tour with a refreshing cool drink in one of Old Havana’s most famous watering holes. The walking tour should finish at approx 15:30 which gives us enough time to walk or taxi to our next tour, which commences at 16:15. Some of the most iconic things in Havana are the classic cars. Here’s your chance to experience that local legend and get to see Havana in style. On this classic car tour in Havana, you’ll ride in - you guessed it - a classic 50's American convertible. We head out through the streets of Havana, cruising through the suburbs of Centro Habana, Miramar, and Vedado, passing by points of interest such as the Malecon, the glamorous 5th Avenue in Miramar, the American "Special Interests" building, the Anti-Imperialist Square, Colon Cemetery, and the Revolution Square. If you weren’t feeling classy enough, this Havana tour ends on a high note – with a walk through the garden terrace of the Hotel Nacional and a cocktail overlooking the Malecon at sunset. It’s a truly iconic experience. The following day [day 11] is a free day to discover the sights or Havana and surrounds at your own pace. We suggest not having too much of a big night tonight as we’ll be sailing out of Havana first thing in the morning.

We hope to set sail first thing in the morning however we will need to go through the customs and immigration process again so we won't have an exact time of departure. The distance across the Straits of Florida to Key West is 86.4 nm or 160 kilometres and depending on the sailing conditions we hope that we can do the crossing and arrive in Key West by mid to late afternoon. On arrival we will again have to go through the customs and immigration process. Please note, all nationalities, whether entering and/or leaving the US by private yacht MUST obtain a visa in advance. Visitors cannot enter the USA for the first time under the Visa Waiver Programme. However, if you've already entered the US on ESTA [Electronic System for Travel Authorisation] or visa waiver program, and it is still valid [they are normally issues with a 2 year validity] you will be permitted entry. Please note if you need to apply for a physical visa this can take time so you must allow for this. We recommend for those entering on an ESTA that they bring a print out of the authorisation with them. On arrival all travellers must remain on board while the skipper reports to customs. The yacht can be boarded by Customs, Immigration and also Health and Agriculture. Once we've been given clearance we will be free to disembark and discover the sights of Key West. After all the formalities are done, we’ll have time to wander the vibrant streets of Key West before stopping off for a Key West Cooler sundowner. Dinner is optional tonight however as some travellers may be departing tomorrow we're sure you’ll love one last chance to sit down with your crew-mates  and reminisce about the amazing sailing experience you’ve just shared and maybe plan your next sailing adventure!

The next three days are free days. You can use your time to explore the sights and sounds of Key West or maybe do some overdue laundry. Or, if you've been missing the creature comforts of home you may decide to book yourself into a hotel room for the night - we won't be offended if you do. The Florida Keys are a coral cay archipelago that extends from the southern coast of Florida [24kms/14.9mi from Miami] in a south west direction. Key West is the southern most inhabited city on the Keys and is also the southern most city in the continental USA. It's actually located closer to Cuba, approx distance 160kms/99.5mi, than it is to Miami, approx distance 240kms/150mi. The coral cays were once underwater reefs however when the water levels started to drop some 25,000 years ago they emerged as low islands and overtime mangroves started to form along the fringes of the isles. The Dry Tortugas are located at the southern most point of the keys making it the most remote of America's National Parks. Both the Dry Tortugas and Marquesas are a haven for marine and bird life with green sea turtles nesting in the area Please note as a combination trip you may have travellers finishing up this morning and/or joining the trip on the afternoon of the 15th for the Dry Tortugas portion of the trip.

Set sail well before dawn, mostly likely around 4 am, to the Dry Tortugas (approximately 70 nautical miles). Leaving this early will help make the most of your time. The plan is to spend two nights here, but this is flexible. If the weather deteriorates, the boat may return to Key West early. There are no services out on these remote islands – this is the most isolated and least visited national park in the United States – so the group will be completely self-sufficient. Perhaps head ashore on Garden Key and tour the Civil War-era Fort Jefferson National Monument which was converted into a prison. Snorkel the surrounding reefs in search of sea turtles, coral and colourful fish. You might also like to go ashore on Loggerhead Key or Hospital Key for a cookout (just be sure to clean up well and minimise your footprint). Bush Key offers great bird-watching, which can be done from the yacht. This is a bird sanctuary and landing here is prohibited.

Depart the Dry Tortugas early in the morning and sail to the Marquesas (approximately 44 nm). You will arrive before dark, so you’ll be able to take in the beauty of these uninhibited islands in full colour as you approach. Enjoy the tranquility of the turquoise lagoon and sandy beach. The swimming here is excellent. The abundance of marine and bird life is due in no small part to the 300-foot no-motor zone which was established by local authorities to protect creatures such as nesting turtles and birds. Keep your eyes peeled (and your camera ready) for red, blue and masked boobies

Depart the Marquesas and sail to Key West (26 nm). Stop along the way for some fantastic snorkelling by mooring to the dive buoys on the reef. You will spend the night at Key West Bight Marina or anchor out in Man of War Harbor. Perhaps check out some of the bars, restaurants and cafes that this ‘end of the road’ destination has to offer. Stop in at La Te Da to catch some local cabaret; or, for something more relaxed, head to Porch or Virgilio’s for a drink. Accommodation

There are no planned activities today. Today the crew will be re-provisioning the yacht, scrubbing the decks and refuelling in preparation for our onward journey.

Please note as a combination trip there may be other travellers joining the group this afternoon.

One of the benefits of sailing is that each day is unique. While we do have a destination to reach, if the weather changes or a detour takes the group’s fancy, the trip itinerary is flexible. Your skipper will make the final call regarding the route you take (according to safety and berth availability), but over the next couple of days you should visit the following sites: Looe Key Part of the National Marine Sanctuary, Looe Key is a U-shaped groove and spur reef that was named after the British ship HMS Looe that ran aground here in 1744. The seas here are generally calm and the visibility excellent, creating prime snorkelling conditions for novice and experienced snorkelers alike. Home to reef sharks, rays, moray eels and more than 150 species of fish (yellow-tails, angelfish, parrot-fish, barracudas and sergeant majors) plus approximately 50-odd species of coral (staghorn, elkhorn, star, brain, and fire corals), this is one of the Keys’ best reefs to snorkel. Big Pine Key As one of the largest islands in the Keys, Big Pine Key hosts a resident population of over 5,000 and the Keys’ largest population of Key Deer – a endangered sub-species of deer that can be found nowhere else on earth. Smaller than their mainland deer cousins and possessing little fear of man, Key Deer can regularly be spotted trotting along Big Pine Key’s streets or swimming between its islands. Another highlight attraction of Big Pine Key is the Blue Hole in the National Key Deer Refuge. Formerly a rock quarry used for nearby road fills, the site is now a freshwater pool that attracts wildlife such as birds, iguanas, snakes, alligators and Key Deer. Bahia Honda Voted as one of the US’s best beaches, Bahia Honda is a popular stop-off along the Florida Keys. The offshore islands make for fantastic snorkelling and, as the island is home to the Bahia Honda State Park, marine life here is plentiful. Bahia Honda is also home to the Miami Blue butterfly, a critically endangered butterfly that was thought to be extinct when Hurricane Andrew tore through its habitat in 1992 (a number were again spotted in Bahia Honda State Park in 1999). In Bahia Honda you will also be able to see the remnants of the old Bahia Honda Rail Bridge. This rail bridge was part of the Overseas Railway that linked Bahia Honda with Spanish Harbor Key. It was partially destroyed in 1935, then converted to the Overseas Highway in 1938. A new bridge was built in 1980, but you can still see much of the original structure (with the exception of 2 truss spans that were removed to allow larger boats to pass underneath). There is a small kiosk on Bahia Honda, where you can purchase refreshments, take part in water activities and access Wi-Fi. Marathon One of the larger towns to be found along the Keys, Marathon, with its deep-sea reefs, is a well-known sport-fishing destination. A number of shipwrecks are located off the coast, as well as a protected section of the Florida Barrier Reef – the only living coral reef in the United States. There is a large aquarium in Marathon and also a number of activities involving swimming and feeding marine life. Please note that, due to concerns about captive animal welfare, Intrepid does not include visits to aquariums on its trips, nor advocate them. As an alternative, you might like to consider visiting the local Turtle Hospital, an initiative set up to rehabilitate injured sea turtles and return them safely to the wild. Islamorada Islamorada was named after the schooner, Island Home, which brought the early settlers to the region. More recently, this island grouping (Islamorada is actually six islands) has become known by its literal translation: Purple Island. The islands are known for being a top sport-fishing destination, and although our fishing will be a far more relaxed activity, you could be lucky enough to snare a Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Pompano, Mackerel or Wahoo. Plantation Key An island inhabited by Native Americans some 1,000 years before Europeans arrived. During the 19th century, immigrants from the Bahamas began arriving to establish coconut and pineapple plantations, though this industry came to an abrupt halt when the Florida East Coast Railway began shipping pineapples from Cuba at a fraction of the price. These days you can still spot a few prehistoric Indian sites and mounds dotted around the island.

For some our trips comes to an end today in Key Largo, the northernmost island in the Florida Keys. With the Everglades National Park to its west and continental USA’s only living coral reef fringing its east, Key Largo is a hotspot for diving, sport-fishing, bird watching and kayaking. The destination was also made famous by a film of the same name, which starred Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, and each year Key Largo hosts the Humphrey Bogart Film Festival. There will be time for the crew to refuel and provision the boat before we head off again across the Straits of Florida. We will have another skipper join us for return sail to Marsh Harbour. The distance is just under 200 nm and we hope to be back in the Bahamas late evening or early the following morning.