By Nicole O’Donohue
I used to think flotillas were mainly for first-timers.
My husband Kevin and I first joined a flotilla years ago in the British Virgin Islands. We chartered a monohull, our daughter Leah was just six years old, and I didn’t know much about sailing at the time.
The idea of being out there on our own felt intimidating, since only Kevin knew how to sail, so we decided to join a flotilla. Having a lead boat to follow, a set itinerary and a friendly group of fellow cruisers as a support network turned what could have been a stressful experience into a fun adventure.
Fast forward many years later, and we now had logged almost 2,000 nautical miles not only chartering sailboats, but also sailing our own Leopard 42, TONIC. We weren’t first-timers anymore, but this was still our first season island hopping around the Bahamas.
When Leopard Catamarans announced that their flotilla schedule for 2025 would take place in the Abaco Islands, we decided to join in the fun. I’m so glad we did!
The Beauty of Instant Connection
There’s something special about sailing with people who just get it.
Everyone in the flotilla was either on a Leopard sailing or power catamaran, and the group was so diverse—people in their 20s all the way into their 80s from different backgrounds and sailing experiences—but because we all enjoyed the same lifestyle, it felt like an instant family who understood each other. There was no need to explain yourself. We all had adventurous and funny stories to tell that only fellow cruisers could fully appreciate and understand. Whatever it was, it just worked.
Freedom to Do It Your Way
The Leopard flotilla offered structure without rigidity. There was a clear itinerary and fun group events planned but also plenty of freedom to venture off on your own.
One morning, Kevin, my sister Daniela—who joined us on this journey—and I decided to opt out of the dinghy races on Tahiti Beach and, instead, stayed in Hope Town to enjoy a leisurely breakfast with Erika and Drew from another sailing Leopard 42 named Reverie. Just the five of us, talking over coffee—no crowd, no schedule, and no guilt for missing the group event. These more quiet moments are where true connections are made and friendships are born.
Theme Nights, Dancing, and a Whole Lot of Laughing!
Of course, the events were a blast, too. We had a specific theme for each of the 5 nights on a different island! The food and drinks were all organized by Leopard Catamarans, which was nice as you didn’t have to worry about organizing dinner.
Night 1: Since we were all Leopard owners, of course our week started with a leopard-themed kick-off night at the Tranquil Turtle at the Bluff House Marina on Green Turtle Cay. I’ve never seen so many “Leopards in the wild” as I did that night.
Kirsten and Don from sailing catamaran All 2 Well won the costume competition with their amazing matching button down shirts with hand-sewn embellishments! I looked down at my basic leopard print t-shirt and thought, “I need to try a little harder on the costume front at the next flotilla.”
Night 2: It was May 5th, so of course Cinco de Mayo was the theme at Big O’s on No Name Cay, where we all wore our most colorful outfits and danced the night away while our Leopard Catamarans were anchored out on the calm ocean, bobbing in the moonlight.
But before the night of dancing, after everyone arrived and dropped anchor, we dinghied to Gillam Cay, a very short distance west of No Name Cay, for a rum scavenger hunt! Gillam Cay, one of the uninhabited islands, is known for its beautiful, calm, beach with shallow sandbars. When you think of paradise, this is it!
We all lined up on the beach and, after a countdown, ran into the crystal clear, bright blue waters, searching with our toes for hidden rum bottles under the sand. Once all the five bottles of rum were found, we opened them, took a swig and passed them around. It was like a tropical paradise rum-tasting! After that, some returned to their boats for lunch and a siesta, while others-–including myself-–went to the pool at Big O’s for a little swimming.
No Name Cay had pigs on the beach that were cute and prickly, and despite the fact that it wasn’t my favorite island, that night of dancing really broke the ice as we did the conga line around the entire restaurant, acting like young children without parental supervision!
Most memorable: The crew from the Powercat Lily Pad—with their beautiful, large sombreros—really owned the dance floor that night!
Night 3: Think Pirates of the Caribbean, but this was Pirates of the Bahamas!
It started out as an ordinary evening for other cruisers at Hope Town on Elbow Cay. People sat outside on their boats watching the sunset, enjoying the peace and quiet, waiting for the famous red-and-white-striped Elbow Reef Lighthouse to light up. Then all of a sudden, 65 pirates in several dinghies showed up all around the harbour roaring “aaaaaarrrrrr” as they passed by other cruisers who were not part of our flotilla. “What the pirate invasion?”
The most memorable moment was when the people from the Leopard 53 Powercat, Blessings, cruised around in their dinghy waving a massive pirate flag while the theme song from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean blasted out from their hand-held speaker.
Night 4: Flamingo night at the Firefly Sunset Resort on Elbow Cay was the most elegant night of them all—think pink with a lot of feathers! If you haven’t been to this beautiful resort to eat at their restaurant with the beautiful view of the setting sun beyond the boat dock, then I highly recommend it! The food, views and ambiance are amazing!
We were down the hill from the main restaurant in our own area and elegant people walked around serving delicious hors d’oeuvres on platters, and there was a bar set up just for us.
Throughout the week, the three couples from Leopard 53 Powercat Double Feature really knew how to make their entrances! They always had perfectly coordinated, matching outfits, and whenever the six made their fashionably late appearances, all heads would turn and look!
This evening was my favorite Double Feature entrance! Most of us were already enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on land, when we looked out onto the sparkling water and, in the distance, their dinghy was approaching with all three couples not only dressed alike, but they were also holding inflatable flamingos that were bobbing and blowing in the wind as they approached the dock! This could have been a scene in a movie … or Double Feature! (See what I did there?)
And this brings us to our final night…
Night 5: Ocean Blue theme night where everyone wore one of the many blue hues of the ocean. Speaking of Double Feature, they all showed up in tropical style “Blues Brothers” outfits complete with sunglasses at night!
Before this evening’s festivities, we had the most relaxing day of lounging, chatting and telling stories on large inflatable donuts in the water at Tahiti Beach! It felt like a family reunion…except everyone got along.
That evening, we had dinner at Lubbers Quarters which is just across from Tahiti Beach. The restaurant had a quirky, rugged character about it. Karaoke was on the menu, and people had fun singing the night away.
After the Flotilla: Connections Made, Friendships Planted
The purpose of bringing people together was a great success! We left with a new support network of 18 boats and 65 people, but also new close friends.
Kevin and I continued cruising south toward the Exumas. When we arrived at Harbour Island, we ran into Greg and Mary who were on the flotilla with their Leopard 46 Powercat One Life! We explored the island via golf cart and spent some quality time on Pink Sand Beach.
A few days later—completely unplanned—we crossed paths again at Shroud Cay, where we dinghied the mangrove-lined Sanctuary Creek together, then enjoyed sundowners on the roof of our Leopard 42.
Those spontaneous reunions reminded me of what I loved most about the Leopard flotilla. It wasn’t just about the week-long itinerary of fun, it was about forming a community of like-minded people that extended beyond the event. It was about bringing people together to create a trusted network and sense of unity and belonging—a forever Leopard family.
This is why I believe everyone should join a Leopard Flotilla… at least once!
Leopard Catamarans created a great video that captured all the fun:
