Trip to Bahamas in April

We are planning to make a trip from the gulf coast to Tampa area and make our way down to the Keys. We are considering heading over to the Bahamas from there and then back to Stuart and through the big O and back up. What are your views on the typical weather during late April for making the trip across the gulf stream. 52 Jefferson. Do we need to do any paperwork before we head there that we need to start working on? Is it a side trip that is worth the $300 entry fee? Just starting to lay the trip out so any thoughts would be appreciatied.

Greetings,
Mr. IMO the Bahamas should be the destination rather than a side trip. Tampa, Stuart, Bahamas.

I was thinking that as a possibility also but we will have guests with us that will board in Tampa and need to be back in Tampa in 7 days.... So that is why we were thinking hitting the Keys so they could get some Island time and then rent a car to get back to Tampa to catch there flight back to KC.

April can be a great month for that trip. As long as the weather settles down.

Personally I'd blow off the keys and spend the extra time in the Bahamas.

As to paperwork, get your US customs sticker, make sure everyone going over has a passport and try to get everyone enrolled in the Local Boater program.


http://www.usps.org/localusps/sancap/news/lbo.pdf

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CBP Form 339V.pdf

Greetings,
Mr. R. There are commuter flights from many of the Bahamian Airports some of which may be direct to Tampa (don't know for sure). Not terribly expensive as I recall and they fly low so you get a really nice view of the surroundings. Just a thought...