Eleuthera Island, Rock Sound – Through the Davis Channel to ocean pools and bat caves

The humans can never sit still.  Off they are again, dragging me to a new and wondrous place.  The destination this time in Rock Sound Harbour.

So we are sailing up the south west coast of Eleuthera Island, around Powell Point….

And through the shifting sands of Davis Channel.

Besides a few coral heads, at the end of the channel (clearly marked on charts), it was easy navigation.  Which is good….because the chart plotter stopped working AGAIN.

We used the depth sounder to feel our way into the shallow waters of Rock Sound Harbour and anchored off the town beach in 2.1m of water.

The human’s fixed the chart plotter AGAIN and headed into town.

There are a few little touristy shops, but the place is mostly a ‘living and breathing’ town with very friendly people willing to stop and chat.

There are a few ‘run down’ places, but most of the homes are well kept and there are lots of flowers.

The island is famous for it’s pineapple production.

There is a fair size grocery store in town, but it is about 3/4 of a mile walk down the road.  You can get beer and propane in the same area.  If you are lazy, or smart, you can dingy over to the lovely restaurant, just before the shops, and leave your dingy on their dock.  Walk the short distance to the shops, finishing at the grocery store.  The grocery store will be happy to drive you and your purchases back down the road to the restaurant free of charge.

Of course the humans never figured this out until ‘after the fact’.

If shopping is not what you are after, perhaps you would like to see some of the local tourist attractions.

OCEAN HOLE

Well sign posted, Ocean Hole is the town’s main tourist attraction.

Much like a blue hole, researchers are unsure of its depth and whether or not it connects with the sea through a system of caves.  There is a lot of sea life in the 369′ diameter hole but locals say they are placed there by local fisherman who often donate a couple of groupers or snapper from their catch.

One time a gentleman decided to play a trick on his neighbours and he put a small shark in the hole.  Well, being a small town, the culprit was soon discovered and taken to court.  He was sentenced to staying by the hole until he caught the shark and removed it.  Three days later he found the right bait and removed the shark from the hole and the local inhabitants could once again go for a swim in the hole.

This swimming hole is only a few minutes walk from the coastal road in behind the town.  It is well worth a plunge.

Not into swimming holes?  Perhaps you like ‘deep dark caves’?  The follow us.

BOILING LAKE AND CAVES

Follow the main road south, about 20 minutes, to a big white church.

Right across the road, from the church, is a trail down to Boiling Lake.

Here is lesser know swimming hole and cave system.

The wooded trail follows round the lake and into the woods at the back.

At the end of the trail you will find a ladder down into the earth.

Below you will find a maze of cavelets and arches eroded through the islands limestone base.

Follow the maze down and you will find the entrance of the main cave.

Pass by the roots of the trees above into the cavern.

You will not need a flashlight as holes in the ceiling of the cavern let in plenty of light…..

….and tree roots.

The main cavern is an impressive size.  And you won’t be alone!

The ceiling is lined with bats.

(I will work hard to put a video of the bats flying around for you here)

Where there are bats you are sure to get predators.

We thought the caves were ‘way cool’!

Unfortunately the beach in town is ‘nothing to write home about’.  It is a ‘bit pebbly’ for my tender tootsies, but the humans are making me stay here a few days.

Thunderstorms are called for and there is a town fair not to be missed.

The sacrifices I make for my humans, just so they won’t get wet and can take in a little local food, music and culture.