Seven Seas Cruising Association presents the 4th Annual Bahamas Gathering
by Seven Seas Cruising Association 11 Feb 17:22 UTC
March 13-16, 2025
Susan Crumpley crowd at schooner races © Seven Seas Cruising Association
The Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA) in partnership with Lorraine's Café Black Point Exumas will once again host the 4th Annual Bahamas Cruisers Gathering March 13-16, 2025.
The gathering is a "NO FEE" Event, open to all Cruisers as well as the local community with a goal of making long lasting friendships. The numerous events will show case Bahamian talents (music, bands, Junkanoo, local skills and Sloop Racing). Cruisers are encouraged to meet and join the Black Point Community as these special Bahamian events are showcased. Be ready to enjoy the party! Please register:
2025 SSCA Bahamas Gathering Black Point, Exumas - Events - Seven Seas Cruising Association
Starting March 6, 2025, at 0830 stay tuned to a daily Cruisers VHF CH 68 net. SSCA member Joni Thomas will run Net control radio base located at High Tides Cafe.
Cruisers are urged to bring donation items to assist this special community. Donations such as school supplies(such as crayons, black pens, composition books, paper, pencils, school scissors, backpacks or even tablets), sports equipment(soccer balls, baseballs/gloves, volley balls/nets, etc), musical instruments (lightly used guitars, bass instruments, wind/string for the Andros school), and health items such as toothbrush kits, feminine hygiene items, first aid supplies and gently used eye glasses (even readers).
Black Point is a halfway point sailing North to Nassau or South to Georgetown also has room for an abundant number of boats on anchor. Cruisers will find a large spaced-out anchorage with great holding in all wind directions except from the West. There are several dinghy docks for restaurants, laundry, church, garbage drop-off, a small grocery store with views from the Anchorage Bay and again on "Ocean Side."
Black Point offers beaches on the Anchorage West Side, Ocean East Side, a Blow Hole, Walking paths, a sandbar and stunning views. There are cottages available for land visitors who want to join in the events. For boaters, a short dinghy ride south to Little Bay and a short dinghy ride north to Gaulin brings you to beautiful beaches, snorkeling, caves and an Iguana preserve.
This year's event has lots of various music venues including the cruisers' favorite pastime of Karaoke. During the events, a professional DJ and a Master of Ceremonies support the various activities which includes a Live Band on the Street, Dinghy Concert(s), and more Live Music on the Deck. There will be a dinner/awards event with recognition of local talents, as well as a ticket raffle for an amazing number of items such as weather apps/hardware by Predictwind, Annual Waterway Guide Subscriptions and Aqua Maps subscriptions to name a few. Hundreds of dollars of local giveaways and useful items will be available for the raffle. Last year one local came up to an organizer, tears in eyes, saying 'I WON!". They won a prize yet most noteworthy were able to be part of the family of cruisers. There will be break-out events such as a beach cleanup effort, meet/greet coffee hours, a guided Island walking tour and various Cruisers informational meetings. A long-term effort to build a Community Toilet Facility at the beach is in progress with plans/diagrams, equipment list, builder donated time and more. For keeping Black Point beaches clean, this is ongoing, with a goal to complete this summer 2025; Hopefleet.org is assisting with website and more.
There is something for everyone to enjoy! During the festivities join the Locals for Beach Games such as Volleyball, Egg Toss, and Tug-of-war. Cruisers will be able to show off their skills against or in partnership with a determined group of islanders. The antics of the children in the water and on land keep us all entertained! This is a family and community event for all.
This year will feature an expanded "Authentic Bahamian National Festival" or "Junkanoo". The term Junkanoo is a street parade with music, dance and costumes like Carnival. Be ready to sing and dance in the streets wearing authentic costumes. Cruisers are encouraged to join in the parade!
In conjunction with the events, Bahamian Sloop Races have expanded with a Mid-Ocean race beginning at Staniel Cay to Black Point. After arriving in Black Point, the Sloop boats will launch three sets of races in the anchorage with Sloop Boat Captains encouraging Cruisers to join as crew. With one enormous sail, the 17 feet long Class-C sloops are hand built wooden boats with long overhanging booms and masts of unlimited height, sails are massive, billowing and easily overpower the hulls. Sails are balanced by movable human ballast hiking out on 'pry boards' held to the deck by large staples. The 'pry' crew keep the sloops from capsizing. An additional goal of these races is to make certain Bahamian youth are trained on these traditional sailing boats preserving the Bahamian Sloop Racing generations to come.
Thanks to Lorraine's and High Tides Cafe and family for the hard work and efforts to showcase their Bahama island and community skills. Without the donations of time and money, this event would not be possible. All events are free of charge and food, drinks, beach BBQ, beach bar offered for purchase. This is only possible due to the efforts of Lorraine's and High Tides Cafe and staff whose output of time and funds is critical to the event success so please support them.
Come join Black Point over St Patty's Day week for a party for cruisers!