Conception Island !!

     With the lack of a camera, it is hard to do justice to Conception Island.  We left Staniel Cay and crossed the Exuma Sound in 3-4 foot seas for the southern end of Cat Island.  There we stayed at the Hawk's Nest Marina for one night and left the next morning for Conception Island.  After a fairly plesant ride, 3-4 foot seas again, we arrived at Conception Island and anchored off one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen !!  There were 6-7 other boats there including one very large mega-yacht and another yacht that looked like a floating version of an F-117.  Again the water was crystal clear, and although we were within swimming distance of the beach, we had at least 15 feet under the keel.
     At night, some of the largest sharks I have ever seen in the wild would glide under the boat (nurse sharks, I think) and one barracuda seems to adopt us and hung around under the boat almost every day.   The snorkling was great and we toured most of the western and southern portions of the island by dingy
     As soon as we see how to download some pictures from out bahamian cell phone camera, I'll update this post with some pictures..

Staniel Cay -- Small Disaster !!

 

     Once in the Exumas, the next stop is only about 5 to 10 miles away.  Each stop is like entering another country, each with its own personality and attractions.  Staniel Cay Yacht Club is such a place.  Lots of cruising boats around, most anchored on the western side of Big Major island where wild pigs roam the beaches and swim up to your "dink" looking for a handout.

 

 

 

The Yacht club is really geared toward cruising boats and has or can arrange almost anything one could ask for.  We arranged to have our mail delivered to us here via a courier service (Watermaker Air).  It only took four days of waiting, but, we were not in any hurry.

 

Small cabins available for rent at the Yacht Club.  Each comes with a small Boston Whaler to use.

 

      We anchored near Thunderball grotto where the James Bond movie of the same name was filmed along with Tom Hanks and "Splash".  We were close enough to simply jump off the boat and swim to the underwater caves.  This picture is off Mavourneen's stern and although it looks very shallow, these is actually close to 15 feet under the boat.

 

 

  !!TRAGEDY STRIKES  !!

 

On the way to see the wild pigs one of the Bahamian adventure boats, aptly named "007Thunderball" came speeding by us at less than 100 feet.  The resulting wake send Bettilynn flying backwards in the Dingy, fill the boat nearly halfway with seawater and flooding a protective pouch containing our camera, an i-phone, and our Bahamian cell phone.  They were ruined.  Moreover, the idiot driving the 007 boat also nearly swamped an elderly couple.  We ran into the driver at Staniel Cay Yacht Club and he could have cared less about the damage he caused or the injury that could have happened.  I e-maqiled the company but got no reply.

 

We did manage to get another cell phone that takes pictures but have been unable to download them as yet.  They should be great as after leaving Staniel Cay, we crossed the Exuma Sound to Cat Island and then traveled to Conception Island.  As soon as we figure out how to download those pictures, we will post them also.

 

Cambridge Cay

 

     Moving further South in the Exumas, the scenery keeps getting better and better.  We secured a mooring ball for nearly five days at Cambridge Cay located insided the Exuma Water Park boundary.  Along with the views, the snorkling was great and exploring the deserted islands was great !!

 

 

Mavourneen from a hilltop on Cambridger Cay

 

 

 

The actor Johnny Depp owns a private island just noth of Cabridge Cay.  He parks a big yacht there and flys a very large Pirate Flag (barely visible in this photo) from his very secluded compound, I suppose in recognition of the Pirtates of the Carribean series.  We did not see Mr. Depp in our travels around his island.

 

Another view from a hilltop on Cambridge Cay

 

Still another view -- everywhere one looks there is a secluded beach to explore

 

Our feet -- sore after hiking on a path across the island to the coast along the Exuma Sound.

 

A nother view of a secluded beach on the sound side of Cambridge Cay

Norman's Cay

 

After Highbone Cay, we traveled south to Norman's Cay, made famous by Carlos Leder, an infamous drug runner.  We only stayed there a couple of days aas the scenery wasn't all that great and there really was nothing at all on the island to see.

 

 

 

This is the airstrip Carlos built.  Around the corner on the SE side are some old ruins of a marina.  Carlos, as I have been told, now lives in Marion Illinois serving a life sentence !!

 

 

Some enterprising individuals are builing some resort facilities on Norman's Cay.  Not completed but may be nice in the future.

 

Blogging Status !!

Internet is really catch as catch can in the Bahamas.  Hard to find and when you do, is seldom free, seldom reliable and never very fast.  I have been late on updating the Blog BUT we are at an anchorage in Black Point, Exumas that happens to have free wifi access and, while not lightning fast, is fast enough to update the Blog on all of our travels and adventures.  The following posts will take us through Staniel Cay, Cat Island, and on to Conception Island.  Enjoy !! 

Exumas -- Highborne Cay Anchorage

 

 

 

 

     We left Atlantis on a pretty calm day and headed for the Exumas.  Crossing the Yellow Bank raised concerns about shallow coral heads and shallow water.  However, the coral heads were clearly visible and easy to avoid.  I never saw less than 10 feet under the keel all the way through the "middle ground" of the Yellow Banks.  What a relief !!

 



      Reaching Allen's Cay, the first thing one notices is how clear the water is.  Judging depth is difficult as it appears to be quite shallow but is really pretty deep.   The spots we wanted to anchor in, SW Allen's Cay and N. Allen's Cay were occupied with other cruisers so we moved south to a great anchorage off Highborne Cay.  There were several boats there but most were just anchored overnight and moved on every morning to points south.  The first day we did dingy over to Allen's Cay, saw the Iguana's on the beach and checked out the water for places to swim and snorkel.

 

 

View from a hilltop on Highborne Cay -- Looking SW

 

Exuma Sound -- Very Rough

 

 

Lokking North from our anchorage.

 

First Lobster --  Speared this very large lobster off the entrance to the Highborne cay marina.  Had a great lunch that day.

Atlantis !!

  While at Nassau Harbor Club Marina, we met several other cruisers, including a family from NY who told us about the Atlantis Marina. Price per foot per day was $4.50 BUT that included day passes to everything on the resort. Just visiting Atlantis costs about $100 per day per person if you are not staying at the resort, SO we decided to splurge a bit (actually a lot) and spend two days in Atlantis before heading to the Exumas. WOW, what a marina and resort. The following pictures will not do it justice.

 

 

 

Entering Atlantis Marina from Nassau Harbor Channel

 

 

Marina Entrance

 

 

Large Yachts, Mega Yachts, and us !!!

 

 

 

View from our assigned slip at Atlantis Marina

 

 

Mavourneen From Atlantis Lobby Entrance

 

 

 

Atlantis Waterpark -- Huge and lots of fun !!

 

Underwater passages wind through the entire resort -- Sharks cruising overhead

 

Another Shark

 

 

 

Another shark -- sharks everywhere !!

 

 

On To Nassau !!

 

     We left the Berry Islands just as a cold front was approaching.  It was leave now or wait another three days.  The weather wasn't really that bad, but the 30 NM trip to Nassau was a "slog" through 5-7 foot waves.  Mavourneen handled the trip beautifully, it just wasn't much fun for the occupants.  Approaching Nassau, the first thing one seas is Atlantis. 

      We were only planning to stay a few days in Nassau but my anchor windless motor decided to "ark and spark".  Fortunately, it worked fine in the Berry Islands but it needed to get fixed before heading to the Exumas.  Sooooooooo, I had to send it off to Florida for repairs and wait another four days to get it back and installed.  It's called boating !!!

 

(Sorry Pics not in order)

 

 

Entering Nassau Harbor passing the cruise ship terminal

 

The Nassau Harbour Club Marina.  Nice place, they are refurbishing the Hotel, the pool is great, and the staff is most helpful.  Several crewed yachts call this marina home and book charters from here ( most average over $100,000 per week PLUS expenses like fuel, food, etc if you want to go somewhere) 

 

Great pic of Atlantis entering Nassau !!

 

Nassau is a very conjested place.

Exploring Deserted Beaches

 

Beaching the "dink" on Cabbage Cay

 

Mavourneen at Anchor

 

Bettilynn looking for whatever !!

 

 

 

Berry Islands -- Anchored Out

 

After a few days at anchor off Bullock Harbor, we headed South in the Berry Islands.  Our original destination was the cut between Devil's Cay and Hoffman's Cay and an intent to hike up to a "blue hole".  After entering the cut, we discovered several other boats had the same idea and there was just no room for another boat to anchor.  So, we headed further South for about 2 miles and entered the cut at Little Harbor Cay and found a great anchorage between Lizard and Cabbage Cay.

 

 

 

Anchored just off Cabbage Cay

 

Little Harbor Cay Anchorage

 

Flo's Conch Bar

Update !!

 

 

New Friends !!  106Ft M/Y "Gallilee"

 

 

     Just before leaving Sunrise Resort, this M/Y came in.  We made friends with the crew, got some great cruising advice and we all enjoyed the Bahamian "Junkanew" festival in Freeport on Jan 2.  We left for the Berry islands on Jan 3, spend around five nights at anchor.  Three at Great Harbour and two night at a remote anchorage near Flo's Conch bar off Lizard Cay.  (I am having some trouble installing pictures on the blog but am working to correct the problem.)



As the weather began to deteriorate (winds and waves) we decided to slog it out and proceeded SE to Nassau in 5-7 foot waves.  Fortunately, we only had about 30 miles to get through it all and, once again, the boat performed great -- the ride was just no fun at all.  But, we arrived in Nassau, made arrangements to stay at the Nassau Harbour Club Marina and settled in for what we thought was going to be just a short stay.  Unfortunately, our anchor windless decided to do a bit of "ark and spark" so we are here for a short time longer as I had to ship the motor back to Florida for repairs.  We expect the moter back tis week and our plans are to spend a couple of days at the Atlantis Marina before heading South to the Exumas around 20 January.

 

 

Grand Bahama -- Sunrise Resort and Marina

 

Tracking 104 degrees true on a heading of 130 degrees true through a northerly gulf stream current of 2.5 knorts, a mild 10 knots wind from the SE, two to three foots swells with a > 10 second period, "Otto" (autopilot) at the helm keeping us on a steady course for 70 nautical miles at 8.5 SOG (knots speed over ground).  WOW, what a seven hour ride!!  In fact we arrived early off the coast of Grand Bahama and had to slow down a bit to arrive at the inlet to Sunrise Resort and Marina at high tide.  The red and green buoys were actually stakes in the sand.  The inlet was very narrow.  I had Bettilynn on the bow looking and pointing at dark patches under the water meaning rocks and coral heads -- hitting bottom here would not be the same at pushing through soft mud or sand !!   Great experience for narrow approaches to come.  But, we came in with no less than 5 feet under the keel and entered the marina with 10 foot depths.  The dockmaster met us at out assigned spot and had already called customs and immigration.  They have done this before.

 

The Bahamian authorities came to the boat, we filled out all of the required paperwork, paid our $300 cruising fee, and settled in for the night.  The cold front came through the next day with all of the winds and rough weather that would have made the entry nearly impossible if not plain dangerous!!  Great timing!

 

 

 

A view South toward the inlet entrance.  Mavourneen is moored port side to on a floating dock.

Another view of Mavourneen with the resort in the background

The water is so clear in the marina, the entire hull, rudders and props are visible,  Big difference from being moored in the Chesapeake Bay.

Some resort amenities.

We chose this marina fron reviews posted on the Active Captain website.  That site along with Passage maker website for weather information is invaluable for cruising.  They offer transient fee discount for retired military, Boat US, or Active Captain members.  We plan to stay a week, catching the next weather window to head South to the Berry Islands.  In the meantine, we'll drop the dingy, find some place to do a bit of snorkling, visit the international marketplace in Lucaya and enjoy the warm Bahamian weather.

Christmas Crossing To Grand Bahama Island

 

Arriving in Palm beach, we cleaned the boat, fiiled the tanks with expensive Florida marine diesel, called everyone with Christmas wishes and turned in early.  Cruising is all about catching "weather windows" so Christmas Day, we departed the USA for Grand Bahama Island knowing a Cold Front was following the next day.  The forcast winds and wave height would have made the crossing very uncomfortable,

 

 

 

Lake Worth inlet -- heading east against inbound traffic.

 

Loofing back throught the inlet -- last chance to turn around -- Nope!!

This is what the North Atlantic looks like with a good "weather window".  Perfect !!

Florida and the high rise apartments getting smaller as we head east !!

Patrick AFB To Palm Beach

 

We left Patrick AFB on 23 December in great weather and headed South.  Leaving the Bananna River we "scraped bottom" but, thankfully, no damage except to my nerves.  Back on the ICW for an uneventful trip to Jensen Beach and a great overnight anchorage.  On Christmas Eve day, we got underway early, went to the "outside" and cruised to Palm Beach through the Lake Worth inlet.  No more ICW !!

 

 

 

Sunset view of the Jensen Beach bridge from our anchor spot

 

Domino the Cat seldom emerges from his numerous "hiding" places when the engines are running but cnnot resist a comfortable perch by the firepit.

 

St Augustine to Patrick AFB via Daytona Beach

 

Leaving St. Augustine, noticed a leak in the generator's raw water pump.  So, we made arrangements to stop at the Aquamarine marina in Daytona Beach.  Explaining my problem to the dockmaster, He knew who to call.  A boat mechanic arrived on scene 30min later, removed the pump, and returned within a hour. To make a short story even shorter, the pump needed a new seal (one I did not have in my assembly of spart parts -- of course) and all is back to normal.  We left the next morning for the Manatee Marina at Patrick AFB.  Thanks to Dave and "T" on "Pagan Lady" back at NAS Pax for the tip on Patrick AFB

 

 

 

 

 

One can never get tired of watching Dolphins ride your bow wave !!

Pierside at Manatee Cove Marina, Patrick AFB.  Its a bit tight and shallow coming up the Bananna River, a few scary moments of shallow water and "where's the channel" concerns.  But we arrived safely in this truely gem of a marina.  Big Exchange and Commissary within walking distance, super golf course nearby and lots of activities going on every night.  Yup, we are moored right next to an outdoor Tiki Bar.

 

A Bow view with an outdoor patio.

Mavourneen from inside the Tiki Bar !!  Tom, the marina manager, told us Dave and "T" came to stay for just a few days and decided to stay for almost "forever".  We can see why.  A must stop and stay for anyone with a Military ID cruising anywhere in Florida.  Our plans are to leave Thursday morning, two day trip South to catch (we hope) a weather window for crossing to the Bahamas.