2024. The Bahamas by boat on the sites of 007 movies

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On the course of 007

From Boats by Motor 2024, no. 36, March/May, pp. 80-87.

We take you to breathtaking places, among deserted islands and endless beaches, in the footsteps of cinema’s most famous spies. Welcome to the Bahamas, on the route of the James Bond films.

A Cocktail Martini – shaken, not stirred – to drink at sunset perhaps while standing at anchor in front of the five miles of white sand beach that makes Paradise Island one of the most beautiful destinations in the Bahamas. So can the first day of vacation begin while it is winter in Italy and the Mediterranean. An archipelago so beautiful that it has fascinated so many, navigators and not. This included James Bond, the legendary 007 of the movies, inventor (and drinker) of the famous martini-based drink, who in numerous of his “license to kill” adventures got to discover and appreciate the many nautical and natural beauties of the Central American country. In fact, since the 1960s, the Bahamas has hosted as many as four of Sean Connery, Roger Moore and Daniel Craig‘s James Bonds in their most fascinating locations. From here we offer this itinerary that film secret agents by land, but mostly by sea, above and below.

If getting there by boat from the Mediterranean is, for obvious reasons, complicated, don’t be discouraged: there are several charter companies with offices in the Bel Paese as well that can arrange a charter to the Bahamas with you and for you, also taking care of flights to and from Italy and all necessary transfers and services. The Bahamas is a collection of more than seven hundred islands. The city of Nassau, the country’s capital and its main center is located on the island of New Providence, which is one of the largest, though not the largest. It is the perfect place to start since the international airport that connects the Bahamas directly to the United States is located here even though Florida is “only” 250 nautical miles away. Before leaving, however, walk along at least the main thoroughfare of Bay Street. Here is the British Colonial Hilton Hotel that takes us back to the first James Bond film hosted in the Bahamas: in “Thunderball: Operation Thunder.” the spy arrives in Nassau by sea and immediately stops at this hotel. Then down the road is the Pirates of Nassau Museum (info for guided tours, tel: +1.242.3563759). It is the place to immerse yourself in the epic of Caribbean buccaneers so powerful that in the mid-eighteenth century they proclaimed in Nassau itself a “Pirate Republic,” led by, among others, the notorious and infamous Blackbeard.

First stop? In New Providence, perhaps starting along the northern coast from the magnificent and secluded Cable Beach: about two kilometers long, it is characterized by the presence of very white sand and tall palm trees and is another spot linked to the 007 epic. In the past, in fact, behind the beach was a Casino at the tables of which we find our James Bond during a scene in the film “Thunderball”. From here then the sailing continues southwest to Clifton Bay: well sheltered, it is enclosed by lush, verdant nature surrounding Jaw’s Beach, which offshore is home to another 007 location, but underwater: the James Bond Wreck, a wreck about 20 meters deep (reachable therefore only by experienced divers) near which scenes from the 1983 film “Never Say Never”. Still on the 007 route, having completed the circumnavigation of the island of New Providence, one reaches another much smaller but beloved little island, Paradise Island. Sean Connery in. “Thunderball: Operation Thunder” chose one of the long white beaches on the north side of the island to invite one of the legendary “Bond girls” to a romantic picnic on the sand. In much more recent years, Daniel Craig also returned to Paradise Island, during the filming of “Casino Royale” 2006.

After another 120 miles of sailing, the magnificent island of Grand Bahama is reached. For centuries it was uninhabited because of the shallow waters surrounding it. Its name comes from an Old Spanish term – bajamar – meaning “shallows,” consisting of a vast and lush coral reef that is also among the archipelago’s main attractions. Front and center on the island’s southern coast is a tiny and beautiful atoll that is protected by the Bahamas‘ smallest National Park. It is called Peterson Cay (info on landing rules: tel. +1.242.3525438) and is home to a deserted, wild dream beach that can only be reached by sea and in front of which you can take a magnificent swim or enjoy snorkeling to admire the colorful reef fish. Another destination is Bimini: also home to a coral reef that is spectacular in color and wildlife. And here, too, of course, our James Bond made a detour. This is where the marine and underwater footage used during the film “The Spy Who Loved Me” 1977. A perfect place to give bottom is in the southern part of the North Bimini coast where the so-called Radio Beach is located. It is a small wild cove enclosed by a beach that becomes enchanting especially at sunset time.

The last leg of this cruise finally takes us south to the Bahamas, where the Exuma Islands are located. It is an archipelago within an archipelago in that this group includes as many as 365 larger islands and tiny atolls. Toward the northern end of the Exumas is Staniel Cay, fantastic underwater cave system ideal for snorkeling as well as, of course, diving. And it is precisely here that we find our 007, again played by Sean Connery for the film “Thunderball.” Bond, in fact, explores these caves on foot and by swimming to uncover the shady dealings of his arch enemy, the villainous Emilio Largo, number two in the terrible Spectre. You, on the other hand, can enjoy a colorful coral reef among which swim thousands of brightly colored fish, such as yellowtail snappers and angel fish. Leaving Spectre‘s secretive haven, a few miles northward here is another atoll, that of Compass Cay. Along its rugged coastline the reef is truly magnificent, while the islet is also perfect for an overnight stop by hosting a new and fully equipped tourist marina (info: tel. +1.242.4227300).

by Davide Deponti

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