Hundreds of cruisers migrate to the Bahamas from North America every winter with the fleets basically splitting in two with one gang headed to the Abacos and Marsh Harbour, while the second heads south through the Exumas to Stocking Island and George Town.
Veteran cruisers make their crossings of the Gulf Stream and to their Bahamian destinations before December 1 for a very good reason. The months of December and January are often plagued –and that’s not too harsh a word—by the infamous Christmas Winds.
The winds during this period are driven by repeated passing cold fronts that swoop off the U.S. East Coast and carry with them breezes in the 20 to 40 knot range. Since there are a relatively few enclosed and safe anchorages in the Bahamas, ducking for cover in these winds can be a problem and travel can be difficult.
And there is a big difference between the Christmas Winds in the Abacos versus southern Exumas. The northern group is in the direct path and the fronts that come through haven’t been diminished by the easterly trade winds. The locals call the wind and associated high seas “Rages.” That can go on for several days at a time.
South in the Exumas, the cold fronts do encounter the easterly trades at about the latitude of Nassau and their force starts to fade. Stocking Island, which has two safe but very small enclosed refuges can become a dangerous lee shore so as the fronts pass boats tend to migrate back and forth across the sound in search of shelter as the cold front creates strong easterlies followed by clearing westerlies.
The Christmas Winds are a real factor in winter cruising in the Bahamas. But, they also blow in the Caribbean, although more as enhanced trade winds than North American cold fronts. So, if you are planning to cruise south to the sun this winter or next, be forewarned that December and January can give you challenging weather and strong winds.
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