GREAT EXUMA, Bahamas -- Starfish, the Exuma Adventure Center,
acquired Exuma-Bahamas Sailing Expeditions, another local operator,
enabling it to offer an expanded product line that includes sailing
adventures, kayak tours and houseboat excursions, according to Jim
Greiner, general partner.
Trips are commissionable at 10%, but bookings of groups of six
or more pay 15%. Agents provide between 40% and 50% of the firm's
annual business, according to Greiner.
The following are samples of kayak trips in the Exuma Golden
Cays:
• The six-night Exuma Classic Adventure, from $895 per person,
double, offers three nights of kayaking north of Great Exuma along
with three nights' lodging in George Town. Sailing, biking and
kayaking day trips are included.
Lodging ranges from bed-and-breakfasts to resorts. Most meals
are included. The trips depart on select dates from November
through March and during May.
• The five-night Kayak Adventure, at $695 per person, double,
features island explorations. Camp lodging, equipment and meals are
included. The trips operate in January and April.
• The seven-night Bahama
MamaShip, priced at $5,995 for up to six people, features the use
of a luxury houseboat that cruises to kayaking locations around
George Town and Elizabeth Harbor.
The rate covers meals, guides, gear and lodging on the houseboat
as well as use of sailboats and bikes.
The first trip is set to depart Jan. 11, but Starfish will offer
the trip at other dates, depending on the houseboat's
availability.
• The inclusive, seven-night Exuma Sailing itinerary costs
$1,795 per person, double, from George Town.
These trips sail up the 365-island Exuma chain to Exuma Land
& Sea Park aboard a 21-foot Sea Pearl boat. Charter air
transport back to Great Exuma is included.
Starfish also offers soft-adventure packages starting at $295
from a variety of hotels.
To reach Great Exuma, agents can book American Eagle from Miami,
which has daily flights to George Town; Lynx Air, which has service
from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., four times per week; and Bahamasair and
Sky Unlimited, which together provide four flights daily from
Nassau.
For reservations, contact Becky Wise at (877) 398-6222 or e-mail
[email protected].
The related Web sites are www.kayakbahamas.com and www.exuma-bahamas.com.