Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Travel   

Subjects:  1. Bahamas    2. Caribbean & West Indies    3. Guidebooks    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel Guides    7. Turks and Caicos Islands    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / Caribbean & West Indies   

Editorial Review

Covering tropical marine fishes of the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, the Bahamas, and Bermuda, this field guide by C. Lavett Smith (curator emeritus, Department of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural History in New York) sets the tropical-fish standard. There are 417 truly magnificent color photographs evincing the glories of the coral reefs and full-text descriptions for more than 400 species, each with its own range map. In addition, the guide includes maps of the regions, more than 100 fish anatomy illustrations, and close to 800 more brief species descriptions. Easy to use and understand, lightweight, and sturdily constructed for travel, the field guide is a great boon for one's snorkeling or scuba-diving vacations. Read more

Reviews (8)

disappointing
Although there are many fishes accounted for, it has quite a few that are missing, and it would be helpful if more showed pictures of the difference between adult and juveniles.

OK, But Paul Humann's Book is Much Better
A few years ago, I bought the Audubon Society Field Guide to Tropical Marine Fishes and found when I tried to use it in the Florida Keys that there were many fish I couldn't identify. People recommended I buy Paul Humann's book, "Reef Fish Identification."The book is more expensive, but I found it to be far more comprehensive and user friendly. For example, many fish look entirely different when in their "juvenile," "initial" or "terminal" phase, and the "Reef Fish Identification" book has clear photos of each of the three stages shown beside each other, and frequently includes photos of alternate color phases as well.The Audubon book usually just shows a picture of the fish in just one phase, and often not a terribly good photo at that. Next to each photo in the Humann book is an excellent line drawing of the fish, highlighting and labeling which features of a fish are most dependable for identification. The Audubon book includes no such diagrams to aid identification. Finally, the Humann book is based upon both an extensive bibliography and collaboration with field biologists, and if the detailed descriptions in his book of definitive features for discriminating species of fish are correct (and experienced scuba divers tell me they are correct) then some of the pictures in the Audubon guide are actually even misidentified as to species. For example, the Audubon picture labeled as a "Leopard Goby" is almost certainly a picture of an "Orange-sided Goby" (if the Humann book is correct about dark lines outlining the orange rectangles being areliable discriminating feature). If there were no other reef fish identification book available, I would have given the Audubon book more stars, I am usually a great fan of the Audubon Field Guide series, but in comparison with the Humann book it just doesn't rate very well. I should add that I have never met, nor have any private or professional association with, the author of either of these books, so my opinion is not biased by any such affiliation.
Necessary installment.
The Audubon Guide to Tropical Marine Fishes is used for identifying brightly colored fish that are most likely to found in the open ocean or on reefs. This guide is different from its predecessor, "Audubon Guide to Fishes" in many ways. First off, the range is quite different, containing a wider variety of fish. This book also takes up where "Fishes" left off. There were so many species to cover that there needed to be more explanation in a second book, "Tropical Marine Fishes". Read more

Subjects:  1. Atlantic Ocean    2. Fish    3. Fishes    4. Ichthyology    5. Identification    6. Marine fishes    7. Nature    8. Nature / Field Guide Books    9. Reference - General    10. Travel    11. Tropics    12. Fishes (ichthyology)    13. Nature / Fish    14. Reference works    15. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY   

Reviews (3)

Stephen P's First Guide
I have been cruising the Bahamas for over 30 years. For all these long times there was just one cruising guide available. And it was quite limited in scope. The along came Stephen Pavlidis. He has singlehandedly upgraded the quality and safetyof Bahamas cruising . His Exumas Cruising Guide is the most complete information you can get for that area. I wouldn't think of cruising the Exumas without it. Stephen Crow, K4CPX

Don't leave home without it
I have cruised the Exumas four winters on my Jeanneau 41.I wouldn't think of doing it without Steven's wonderful book.He includes, for example, many chartlets not to be found in any other guide.Hence, I wasable to find anchorages not well known (and which had, as a result, morelobster!). Essential and Comprehensive
I found the book to be the Bible for getting in and around the Exuma Cays.More importantly, the book nicely deals with the history, geography, flora and fauna of the cays.There is no way that a person should consider sailing, motoring or paddling into the Exumas without this book in hand. Too bad it was not printed on waterproof paper and bound with stainless steel staples. If your headedfor the Exumas be sure to read and bring a copy along.It might also help to secure it in a large zip lock plastic bag. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bahamas    2. Boating - General    3. Boats and boating    4. Caribbean & West Indies    5. Exuma    6. Exuma (Bahamas)    7. Guidebooks    8. History    9. Nautical charts    10. Travel    11. Travel - Foreign    12. Boating    13. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (1)

Stephen P Has Been There and Done It
I have cruised the Bahamas aboard all kinds of small boats for over 30 years, and I wouldn't go without Stephen P's books. There have been many Bahamas cruising guides written but many fall far short of the complete story.Read more

Subjects:  1. Abaco    2. Bahamas    3. Boats and boating    4. Caribbean & West Indies    5. Grand Bahama    6. Pilot guides    7. Reference - General    8. Sailing - Navigation    9. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    10. Travel    11. Travel - Foreign   

Reviews (3)

On and Off the Beaten Path: The Cent/South Bahamas Guide
The initial review looks great!When I get to the Bahamas the real review will begin.

Lacking
I am getting ready to take off for the Bahamas next month so I decided to take a trip to the ship's store and have a look at the cruising guides.I am heading to the Southern Bahamas so you would think that this guide would be perfect.It is NOT.I took a quick look through the contents and index and discovered he did not cover the Exumas.How could this be?Ah... Mr. Pavlidis wants you to buy YET ANOTHER of his books, one specifically covering the Exumas.Appauling.How can you say you are covering the central and southern Bahamas WITHOUT even one chapter on the Exumas? One of the best
Pavlidis' guide will get you to places you didnt think you could visit.It also assumes you are a competent tropical water sailor and wont do stupid things like run into rocks, etc.Where other guides state "local knowledge required" for an area Pavlidis gives you the best current info and then warns you to be aware of possible changes and hazards.If you want to find places where there is still a lobster under every rock and no other boats in sight, this is the guide to use. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bahamas    2. Boats and boating    3. Caribbean & West Indies    4. Description and travel    5. Guidebooks    6. Nautical charts    7. Travel    8. Travel - Foreign    9. Caribbean islands    10. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Bahamas    6. Travel & holiday guides    7. Travel / Caribbean & West Indies   

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Bahamas    5. Travel & holiday guides    6. Turks & Caicos Islands   

Reviews (1)

must have for first time
This was our first time crossing over to Bimini. We know other people that have done it but the information we learned from the book far exceeded anything our fellow boater friends told us. The section on clearing customs and immigration made our trip a breeze. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Travel    3. Boating    4. Sailing    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Bahamas    7. Bimini Islands    8. Cruising    9. Guidebooks   

Reviews (7)

Outstanding
Stephen has set up a couple trips for me to the Bahamas, two very different types of trips, and I can tell you first hand that he and Kim know their stuff! Bahamas Flyfishing Bible
This is not only the definitive flyfishing guide to the Bahamas, but also (i) a very insightful book on logistics and non-fishing pursuits on the islands; and (ii) one of the finest fishing guides written for any area in the world, which is an especially great accomplishment given the span of the area.Read to plan, or just read to dream.Essential for anyone deciding on which island to go to, and which areas to fish.My only complaint? -- that I personally wasn't able to help research this book by visiting/fishing all areas covered.

The Bahamas Fly-Fishing Guide
I have traveled to the Bahamas on several ocassions on buisness as well as pleasure (fishing!). Prior to going and while I'm there, this book has provided valuable information and suggestions. Great refrence book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bahamas    2. Fishing - Flyfishing    3. Fishing - General    4. Fly fishing    5. Fly-fishing    6. Guidebooks    7. Travel    8. Travel - United States    9. United States - General    10. Travel / United States / General   

Reviews (2)

Deliervs as advertised
The title says "Dive Sites of the Bahamas" and it delivers.Specific descriptions, exact locations, and details on the dive site (depth, currents, visibility, etc.) More than meets the eye
This is a great book to pick up if you're even thinking of going to the Bahamas.Great pictures, comprehensive dive site reviews PLUS the book is loaded with lots of extras that make it one of the best dive books I've seen.Pages of fishID info with color photos, dive medicine, travel tips -- all in a very attractive package. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Scuba & Snorkeling    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Sports & Recreation / Water Sports   

Reviews (1)

Excellent guide,but w/ a few (inconsequential) inaccuracies
I thought this was a great effort to present the true Bahamas, but unfortunately, there are some inaccuracies that seem to confuse The Bahamas with other countries in the West Indies, particularly in referring to the language.Bahamians would never refer to their dialect as patois. (that's Jamaica and other countries). Bahamians just call their English dialect "Bahamian dialect". And some of the words are not in general use as stated, e.g. nyam is Jamaican, and bobo, if used, more usually refers to Rastas, not morons. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Bahamas    6. Travel & holiday guides    7. Travel / Caribbean & West Indies   

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Travel / General   

Reviews (1)

review
The book had some interesting things in it but overall was not as helpful as we had hoped.There were marinas not listed that we saw and some of the marinas that were in the book we couldn't find.It also failed to tell us that at one point there is a sharp turn that is not clearly marked at all.Thankfully there was another boat nearby that we could ask.We were glad to have the book but wish it was more acurate. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Reference - General    2. Travel   

Subjects:  1. Bahamas    2. Caribbean & West Indies    3. Guidebooks    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel Guides    7. Turks and Caicos Islands    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / Caribbean & West Indies   

Reviews (1)

Lots of worthwhile information in a small book
I've used this as a guide on three trips to Florida, and highly recommend it.I learned about some things to do that were not covered in less detailed guides.The book gives a lot of background and detail on some things that aren't covered well (or at all) in other guides.This includes just the right amount of information on how to arrange for night-time viewing of turtles laying eggs, for instance, and covers some attractions (such as Butterfly World, north of Miami) that I really enjoy, you which get little or no mention in many guides to Florida.Be aware that the series of which this manual is a part makes no effort to cover hotel and resturaunt reviews--Those are in a different Michelin series.If you can possibly live with this limitation, I highly recommend the book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bahamas    2. Florida    3. Guidebooks    4. Travel    5. Travel - United States    6. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    7. United States - South Atlantic - Florida    8. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (1)

Worth the $ for adventurers that like off beaten track sites
Real information on what to do, geared more for the adventurer.Maps nothing special.Brief history coverage. No real prices, only "budget, moderate." Not a complete travel guide, but gives good ideas of whatto do on the islands. Use this for some non-touristy sites and to do's, butbuy more complete guide for hotels and car rentals, etc. Covers allislands, though not real detailed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Bahamas    5. Caribbean islands    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Maps    3. Maps & Road Atlases    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Bahamas    7. Travel / road maps & atlases   

Reviews (1)

Filled with sound advice for cruise lovers everywhere
Chance The Tide: How To Cruise To The Bahamas For The Winter by mechanical engineer and sailing expert Kenneth Mowbray is a practical and "user friendly" how-to guide for enjoying a Bahamas cruise in the wintertime. Individual chapters discuss a wide variety of different boats ranging from sail to power and in terms of how they are best utilized, what equipment to bring, how to navigate the Bahamas, enjoying life while living in a relatively small space, and more. A useful guide filled with sound advice for cruise lovers everywhere, Chance The Tide is especially commended to the attention of novice sailors while having a great deal to offer even the most experienced when cruising Bahamian waters. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bahamas    2. Boating - General    3. Caribbean & West Indies    4. Guidebooks    5. Reference - Guides (General)    6. Sailing - General    7. Travel    8. Travel - General    9. United States - West - Pacific (General)    10. Yachting    11. Boating    12. Sailing    13. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (5)

the operative word is lonely...
I am usually a fan of Lonely Planet, but having just returned from Grand Bahama, I would not recommend this guide. Published in 2001, which means it was researched before that, it is quite out of date given the tough post 9/11 economy. Examples: Running Mon Resort- closed. Hydroflora gardens- closed. Rand Nature Center- closed. Many retailers- closed, moved, renamed, etc. Restaurant prices - way out of date. I liked this book
This is one of the best travel guides that I have read. I thoughtthe political information about the Bahamas was really interesting. Just the level of detail--which is probably too much if you're just cruising to Nassau--but it really explains a lotabout why things are the way they are in the Bahamas. I dont really use the Lonely Planet guides while on vacation because you dont need that much information. However they really help a lot when you are reasearching a destination.

Five Stars??? Well, I don't know about that.
Found the book useful as a starting point.Complete, thorough.Interesting tidbits.But when it came down to actually scheduling trips and tickets, I found out that most of the information was already out ofdate. Read more

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Bahamas    5. Travel & holiday guides    6. Turks & Caicos Islands