PRE-TRIP INFORMATION The Delphi Club is very well equipped, but these notes are designed to help you know what to expect when you arrive and what you may need to bring with you (including a suggested travel checklist on the last page). CONTACT DETAILS The Delphi Club Max Woolnough, Lodge Manager ​ Rolling Harbour Cell: +1-242-577-1698 Marsh Harbour Email: [email protected] ​ Abaco, Bahamas PO Box AB-20006 Robert Ford, General Manager ​ Cell: +1-908-285-0880 Tel.: +1-242-366-2222/6 Email: [email protected] ​ TIME ZONE Eastern Standard Time (GMT-5). CURRENCY The local currency is the Bahamian dollar, but US dollars are readily accepted everywhere on a 1-for-1 basis. ELECTRICAL 110 volt, US-style sockets. INNOCULATIONS Not required for the Bahamas, but please take your own medical advice as to recommended precautions. VISAS Not required for citizens of the EU, USA or most Commonwealth countries (although your passport may need a minimum validity period from the date of departure). For others countries, please refer to the official website: https://www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/wcm/connect/bf838397-2677-410e-9987-87fa188e4966/Visa+Requirem ents+for+Visitors+Travelling+to+The+Bahamas1.pdf?MOD=AJPERES ALLERGIES & DIETARY REQUIREMENTS If you have any allergies or specific food preferences (i.e. vegetarian), please advise us prior to your arrival by emailing [email protected], so that the kitchen can make any necessary arrangements. ​ ​ CLUB FACILITIES ✔ Eight ocean-view bedrooms ✔ Snorkeling gear & various beach toys ✔ King size or twin-queen beds ✔ A bocce / boules court and corn hole ✔ Ensuite bathrooms with showers (two rooms game set up with tubs) ✔ Well-stocked library ✔ Heated, freshwater swimming pool ✔ Satellite HD TV (in the library ✔ 1200 yards of sandy beach ✔ Guest computer and printer ✔ Fully air conditioned ✔ Card & games tables ✔ Free Wi-Fi access throughout ✔ Rods for hire (top quality Thomas & ✔ Excellent food and wine cellar Thomas Rods, Hatch & Shilton Reels)* ✔ Honesty bar ✔ 10 weight Thomas and Thomas rods in ✔ Jura coffee machine (in the Great Room) every boat rigged for permit, tarpon, ✔ Potable tap water & water coolers sharks and barracuda ✔ Irons & ironing boards in all rooms ✔ Fly-tying equipment ✔ Hairdryers in all rooms ✔ A well-equipped shop that carries ✔ Room safes fishing gear/tackle (with local fly ✔ Complimentary toiletries in bathrooms patterns), clothing, sunscreen and ✔ Basic laundry service various souvenirs ✔ Beach towels provided ✔ Car rental to explore the Island * ✔ Beach / fishing kayaks & stand up paddle boards * At extra charge WEATHER The Bahamas weather is generally most benign. The summer months can be hot and humid, with occasional heavy tropical rains that, in general, pass over rapidly. Breezy weather in other months can affect fishing quality, as can the occasional cool or cloudy front in the winter. As with any fishing, one can be unlucky with conditions. But bad weather rarely lasts for more than a few days. The official hurricane season is from June to November, but August and September are generally seen as the months of highest risk and the Club is closed at that time. THE FISHING SEASON Bonefishing is a year-round activity in the Bahamas, although as mentioned above, the Club is usually closed for the height of the hurricane season in August & September. For an idea of what species will be in season ​ ​ during your trip you can refer to the table below: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bonefish G-? G-? G-E E E E E ? ? E E ? Permit G-? G-? F-G G G G G ? ? F-G F-G ? Snapper G-? G-? G-E E E E E ? ? G G ? Cuda G-E G-E G-E G-E G-E G-E G-E G-E G-E G-E G-E G-E Jacks G-E G-E G-E G G G G G G G-E G-E G-E (E = excellent, G = Good, F = Fair and ? = Weather dependent) FISHING NOTES The main target is bonefish. For these wonderful sporting fish the Club generally applies a fly-fishing only rule, on a catch-and-release basis using barbless hooks. Exceptions are sometimes made for complete beginners. Fishing for shark, barracuda and other species is also popular and the fly-only rule does not apply, although fly-fishing is encouraged for them too! There are also some permit at various times of year and the occasional tarpon. We recommend fishermen leave the lodge at 8.00am (to get the most of the day), and normally return back to the Club by 4.30pm (or 1.30pm on short days). Fishermen are provided with a picnic lunch cool box and their choice of drinks, whether doing full or short days. Fishermen normally fish in pairs with a guide, however, single occupancy of a boat may be available at an extra charge. The great majority of the fishing is from boats, but there may be opportunities for wading, especially at Cherokee Sound or Sandy Point. Most of the fishing, however, is normally on the west side of Abaco in the famous Marls, where wading is less easy. Bonefish and other species are sometimes also caught right off the Club beach. The Club guides – and the launch points for the boats – are rotated during the week to provide maximum diversity of scenery and opportunity. It is not possible to reserve specific guides, but all the Club’s guides are highly competent professionals. Boat launch points are normally just a 10-20 minute drive away from the Club, although we sometimes range further afield. The Club's fleet of boats is made up of four 17’ 8” Hells Bay professionals with 60hp Yamaha motors, which were introduced in 2019 and draw less than 5 inches of water, as well as two Dolphin 16ft skiffs with 40hp Yamaha motors. All have padded seats, a leaning bar on the casting platform and dry storage lockers, as well as radios and GPS locators. Each boat is also equipped with a 10 weight Thomas & Thomas fly rod for those permit, shark and cuda shots. We also carry a Penn spinning rod with wire leaders, for those that want a go at a shark, barracuda or other big species! For those that want to travel light, we have top of the line house rods (8 weight Thomas & Thomas fly rods, with Hatch and Shilton reels) available for rental. The Club shop has plenty of local fly patterns but no monopoly of wisdom, so bring all your bonefish and other saltwater flies. OTHER ACTIVITIES & DAY TRIPS Delphi beach is a beautiful place to relax and have a walk; however, we also have snorkeling gear, ocean kayaks and stand up paddleboards, which are available for all guests to use (with life jackets also provided). We also have a large variety of beach toys in the storage box on the beach, a bocce/boules court by the pool area and corn hole on the top veranda. For rainy days or those who prefer some time indoors, the lodge has a wide variety of puzzles and board games. We also have a fantastic library with a wide array of books and satellite HD TV. Unlike some other bone-fishing destinations, Abaco has a great tourism infrastructure and offers a wealth of attractive options for day trips (many involving boat rides). The outer Cays, with their charming colonial settlements, are easily reached by public ferries from Marsh Harbour and make for pleasant day trips. Other activities available include: ➢ Head off in one of the lodge cars (over 25s only) explore Abaco ➢ Visit Pete’s Pub & Gallery in Little Harbour – a classic beach restaurant/bar with the only working sculpture foundry in the Bahamas ➢ Golf at Winding Bay (by specific arrangement only), with cart/club rental and lunch at Flippers Bar ➢ Guided snorkelling around some of Abacos beautiful reefs out of Marsh Harbour ➢ Hiring jet skis and/or parasailing in the beautiful Sandy Point, South Abaco ➢ Kite surfing (available on Delphi beach, weather dependant) ➢ Day trip to Hope Town where you can hire electric bikes/golf buggies to explore the beautiful Elbow Cay and stop at a gorgeous spot for lunch ➢ Private powerboat charters and island-hopping trips (recommended 6-8 people), which can include visiting the pigs at NoName Cay ➢ Offshore fishing - various boats (maximum 6 people) ➢ Mixed snorkelling/shelling with a guide at Cherokee Sound (2 people) ➢ Birding & nature tours for 3-4 hours (minimum 2 people), with an excellent guide who is a mine of information about Abaco’s bird life, flora and fauna. For more information on the local wildlife, see our fascinating sister website https://rollingharbour.com ​ ➢ Yoga/Pilates lessons (available at the lodge) ➢ Massage in your room from a (highly recommended) visiting therapist Extra charges may apply and some activities may be subject to sea/weather conditions but all recommended external activity providers are quality professional operators. Advanced booking for most activities and lodge car rental is recommended. For further details on any of these activities and pricing, please email us at [email protected]. ​ RESERVATION PAYMENT All guests are strongly encouraged to purchase trip and travel cancellation insurance. Please also consider the possible need for medical evacuation; for this we highly recommend www.globalrescue.com. ​ ​ ​ ​ All reservations must be secured by a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express with an expiry date that is after the scheduled arrival date, or alternatively, you can wire transfer the balance to us (please contact us for details). 50% of the cost is payable within 10 days of booking to secure the reservation and the balance is payable at least 60 days prior to arrival at Delphi.