Low Water Harbour, Buena Vista Cay, Ragged Islands, Bahamas

 Beautiful light wind day.  Time for some snorkeling.

Nice triggerfish. 

Sleeping nurse shark

Beautiful queen angel fish 

Lots of lobsters!

Into the freezer as I still have leftover scampi from last night  

Low Water Harbour, Buena Vista, Ragged Islands, Bahamas

 Just a long travel day.  All day motoring in the outside deep ocean so we could fish.   Nothing caught, just one gigantic pull on a rod.  That one got away. Arrived at Buena Vista Cay late in the afternoon.  The boat Wolfpack 2 was anchored nearby. Troy came over to visit and pick up the fishing permit we renewed for him in Georgetown.  His wife Katie will join him in Jan.  Troy had too many lobsters on board an gave us a couple.  We’ll go hunt our own tomorrow.  

Water Cay, Jumentos, Bahamas

 Just a lazy travel day.  Leaving Georgetown.

Winds around 6 knots all day so we didn’t bother raising the sails. Approaching Hog Cay cut, one other boat was waiting for the tide to change for this shallow pass.

There is a barge anchor just outside the channel with lots of construction still in progress.

Uneventful and easy all day motor to Water Cay.  Further south tomorrow on the outside so we’ll be able to fish!

Georgetown, Exumas, Bahamas

 Up with the sun…

We had a nice sail - not a huge amount of wind but it was nice to travel with no engine noise most of the way to Georgetown.

All we really needed in town was to renew our fishing license.  This is a new process this year and the Bahamian government doesn’t have it quite sorted out yet. It’s very inconvenient to have to come to a custom office every 30 days. But if their country and their rules.

I know it’s fairly early in the season, but the dinghy dock was almost empty!  There have been times in the past where the entire dock was loaded with dinghies two deep.

You know you’re in Georgetown when you go thru the tunnel to the dinghy dock.

That’s it for the day, we did stop by the grocery store for just a few extra fresh items. Will be heading out to.Water Cay in the Jumentos tomorrow.

Little Darby Island, Exumas, Bahamas

Lots of pretty scenery as well motored into the wind southbound.

Where the 1% vacation - Musha Cay, a private island.

More pretty little uninhabited cays.

Duane spotted a small cove on Little Darby Island that we had never noticed before.  The wind conditions were just right for us to try it out as an anchorage.  There was a swell that made entering the cove a little scary, but all is well and it’s absolutely beautiful.

Since we had most of the afternoon to relax, Time for a little exploring.  Good to be swimming but no fish or lobsters were taken.

Back to the boat.  It is such a sweet little spot we have all to ourselves!

We’ll be up early tomorrow for a long sail to Georgetown.

Blackpoint, Great Guana Cay, Exumas, Bahamas

 Up early for another day of motoring south...

 

 We decided to go "outside" in the deep water of Exuma Sound so that we could troll fishing lines.  (In the protected waters west of the islands, the water is shallow, 10-20'.  The deep water fish we are looking for aren't generally in the shallow waters).  It was rather bouncy outside but we were rewarded with one small skipjack tuna! It was put straight in the fridge for fileting once were were anchored later in the day.  Most was vacuum packed but I had a nice meal of seared tuna with pickled ginger!

 

 Since we're blasting down south with a motor on, we came in the cut at Staniel Cay and topped off with diesel.

Walking over to the pay station, the marina looks a bit empty.  But the nurse sharks are always around looking for fish scraps.

Back to the boat and ready to head over to Blackpoint for the night.

There were a few boats on the mooring balls and several at the Big Majors anchorage.

As we motored over to Blackpoint....passing the rich peoples toys... There were eight other sailboats anchored at Blackpoint when we arrived. We had to dodge the new mooring balls that appear to still be in place. I thought they were supposed to have removed them, but apparently not. All the boats were anchored, none of them had picked up a mooring ball.

C

Norman’s Cay, Exumas, Bahamas

 We were up at first light for the 60+ mile trip over to the Exumas.

There was less than 10 knots of wind, mostly on our nose, but just enough angle that raising the main sail provided a small push to the single engine while underway.

Uneventful day, almost no other boats except a couple of fishing boats.

As we approached Norman’s Cay in the very late afternoon, we were welcomed by some friendly dolphins!  Always a good sign.   We’ll be traveling south for the next few days.

Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, Bahamas

 We met up with Charm and took the dinghies into town. Always an adventure to tie up as there is no designated dinghy dock.

It was Kris’s birthday- we went to Buddha’s for yummy sandwiches and generally caught up with all that has transpired since we saw them last. 

After lunch, a trip to the well stocked grocery store for some fresh veg.  The three pack of Romaine lettuce heads that I usually buy were $14 each.  Instead, I got a head a cabbage for $3 that will have to do for crunchy salads.

Walking back to the dinghies, always enjoy the pastel houses!

Back to the Manta’s for a lazy late afternoon.  

A bit of traffic out in the anchorage.  Nice fishing boat. 

Duane installed the new windless motor and we’re back at 100% there! We’ll head over to the Exuma’s now