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Source: Waterway Guide https://www.waterwayguide.com/knowledge-center/news-post/12630/a-30-year-voyage-for-explorer-chartbooks

After falling in love with The Bahamas after a few short cruises in the 1970s and '80s, Sara and Monty Lewis, founders of Explorer Chartbooks, started living their dream of cruising there regularly. Sara said, "We loved the life instantly. National news and latest conveniences were unimportant. What drove our decisions about where to go and what to do were the weather and finding a fresh tomato. We didn't set out to create navigational charts for the Bahamas. It just unfolded."

Monty and Sara recount that they discovered a life of simplicity and the warmth and generosity of people--local festivals, regattas, and church services. The new lifelong friendships of sharing anchorages with happy hours, potlucks, hiking, and beachcombing.

Monty said, "In our cruising 'retirement' we wanted to go to more remote places. Charts didn't have the details we wanted including soundings, routes, anchorages, and shoreside facilities. So, we…

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To view Archived Forum posts prior to October 2025 Click Here.

There have been updates to portions of the Cruising Permit Customs Fee structure that went into effect on July 1, 2025.

The concise changes:

• Cost covers return visit within 30 days (previously 90 days)

• Cruising permit good for 12 months provided the vessel remains in the Bahamas

• Pleasure vessels carrying more than three passengers must pay $30 each additional per passenger over six years old. (previously two adults plus children under three years old)

Frequent Digital Cruising Card (FDCC)

Welcome to the our new Bahamas Chatter platform! You can connect with other Bahamas cruisers, get local updates and share information.