Join us for the 2024 Bahamas Gathering at Black Point, Bahamas.  In its third year, boaters have enjoyed the hospitality of Lorraine’s Cafe (Lorraine Rolle) at the anchorage at Black Point. For the past two years, Lorraine has hosted an amazing event with several days of treasure hunts, beach parties, nature walks, and even fire dancers and bands. The event starts on Thursday, March 14 with arrival, followed by March 15-17 for full up fun. Boats are asked to bring sport and school items for the local community as gifts. In addition to assist boats heading to the Bahamas, SSCA is promoting a Rally with legs from the Gulf Coast and East Coast to the Bahamas.  The destination for both legs will be Black Point in the Exumas, in time for the 2024 “Bahamas Gathering”.  The Rally is NOT a race; it is open to anyone wishing to travel together to the Bahamas.  You can join and leave as your plans permit.  This is not a Flotilla – just a group of boats with a common destination wishing to keep in touch, enjoy the journey, and perhaps buddy-boat when plans coincide.  

We would like you to sign-up on the SSCA website (members and non-members) so we can get collect contact information, get an idea of where people are traveling from, and a rough headcount for those going to the Gathering.  No fee for signup at www.ssca.org for either 2024 Bahamas Gathering or the Bahama Rally, a rally with several legs from both eastern USA as well as western Florida to Bahamas. To register for the Bahamas rally visit, www.ssca.org/2024BahamaRally, to register for the Bahamas Gathering visit www.ssca.org/2024Bahamas. Come join SSCA, SSCA Partners and fellow cruisers in the Bahamas! 

Here’s a summary of the tentative plans for the Bahama Rally Gulf Coast:

Gulf Coast Route

This Leg will depart from the Pensacola Area.  For planning purposes, we are looking at a January 5 departure for Pirate’s Cove, Alabama or January 6 from Ft. McRee, Pensacola.   This will be a “leisurely rally”, with short legs, ICW options, and plenty of stops along the northern Gulf and Florida’s West Coast.  Potential stops include (but are not limited to):

For more information see the video at: https://youtu.be/NoOxU4f1rIw

East Coast Route

This Leg will depart from the Chesapeake area, and is being organized by Jason Lewis of OCC.  This will also be a combination of offshore and ICW legs, and current plans are:

General

Boats may join for individual or multiple legs of the Rally.  The Rally will end in Black Point Exumas in time for the SSCA Bahamas Gathering on or about March 15, 2024.  The event is open to all boaters.  SSCA is currently looking into discounts with marinas etc. along the way.  We will also have regular weather updates, land-based support and on-water support for boats traveling together. 

Third Annual Bahamas Gathering, March 15, 2024

This event is sponsored by Lorraine’s Café and Bakery, Black Point and typically includes activities such as:

• Dinner/reception,
• A fun walk,
• Entertainment
• Live bands, and DJ
• Beach Party/BBQ and Tug-o-war