WHY STANIEL ?
This short video captures the essence, and the text below drives home why starting and ending in Staniel is a game-changer compared to chartering out of Nassau.
So people always ask us… why did you choose Staniel Cay as the winter home for the Magic Bus vs the BVI’s? We could say the welcome and warm people that make you feel so safe the moment you arrive, or we could says its the proximity to the breathtaking Exuma National Park (which has to be in the top two or three of the most beautiful cruising grounds in the world). However, the simple answer is… it still feels like it just has not been found yet!
We’ve sailed the BVIs and lower islands our whole life but never explored the Exumas until a pandemic voyage. We discovered that sailing out of Nassau, where most charters start and end, consumes too much time for a one week charter to even reach the heart of the Exumas. Those 7-day trips, with one long day in and an even longer day back, become a lot of schlepping around, especially if the weather isn’t perfect. In contrast, starting and ending your vacation in Staniel Cay feels like getting two extra days added to your trip. Plus, let's face it, starting out in Nassau isn't much better or safer than Tortola is today.
Staniel Cay is different. The moment you land, you instantly feel the small island vibe where everyone knows everyone—there are only 85 residents—and you immediately feel safe and welcome. Golf carts roll up to your plane, and friendly islanders offer you a lift if you've overpacked for the 10-minute walk to the club. Once you step into the Staniel Cay Yacht Club in the heart of the Exumas, it feels reminiscent of the British Virgin Islands in the '80s, before the big developments arrived.