IT'S A DOGS LIFE
SAILING AROUND THE WORLD WITH SPIRIT OF ARGO
IT'S A DOGS LIFE
SAILING AROUND THE WORLD WITH SPIRIT OF ARGO
Bahamas

Bahamas, Berry Island to the Exumas – Arriving at Highborne Cay

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We had a wonderful quiet Christmas anchored off the white sandy beach on the south end of Hoffman Cay, Berry Islands, Bahamas.  We were also very impressed with the internet coverage, as we were able to send and receive messages and even Skype family.

But it was time to say goodbye to our little anchorage and the Berry Islands and use the fair weather to sail further south towards the string of Bahamian islands know as the Exumas.

It is just over 90 nautical miles to the northern cays (small islands) of the Exumas from the central Berry Islands.  We decided we would leave in the evening, sail down the Tongue Of The Ocean over night and have day light when we turned East to cross over the incredibly large and shallow Great Bahama Bank.

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Well we had a cracking sail exceeding our planned speeds and ending up at the northern Exumas in the morning.  We decided to anchor up off the beach on the West side of Highbourne Cay as it had no coral heads or sand bars to worry about in the poor light of early morning.

It seems that this is a very popular anchorage, especially with the mega yacht chartering trade.  It is quite fun to people watch here.  There has also turned out to be some good snorkelling on the reef beside us.  Still no luck with spotting any lobster yet this season.

The Exumas are a very popular cruising ground, so we will have to get used to sharing the anchorages.  We are further restricted by our deep draft, so some of the small shallow anchorages are off our list of stops.  Even so I am sure we will find lots of little out-of-the-way places to visit.

We plan to move a little south to Wax Cay Cut.  We heard there is some great snorkelling in the area.  Maybe there will be fewer boats hogging the band width as well so I can forward you pictures of the clear Bahamian waters here.

We will keep you posted.

The chart plotter warned us early that the anchorage may be a little crowded. We are the black triangle and the other boats are all the red triangles on the chart.
The chart plotter warned us early that the anchorage may be a little crowded. We are the black triangle and the other boats are all the red triangles on the chart.
Supper yachts anchored all around us, but there was still lots of room
Supper yachts anchored all around us, but there was still lots of room
We found we had the beach to ourselves in the morning and in the evenings
We found we had the beach to ourselves in the morning and in the evenings
By noon the supper yachts crew had moved in and 'staked out' a section of the beach for their guests
By noon the supper yachts crew had moved in and ‘staked out’ a section of the beach for their guests.  That is OK, we went snorkelling instead on the reef next door.

 

We were not the only ones people watching
We were not the only ones people watching

 

This 'cheeky' bird came by every morning looking for food. He even crept up on me regularly while I napped.
This ‘cheeky’ bird came by every morning looking for food. He even crept up on me regularly while I napped.
I did not forget to provide you with a 'sundowner' shot
I did not forget to provide you with a ‘sundowner’ shot
The waters are so clear here you can even see the sandy bottom in the moon light
The waters are so clear here you can even see the sandy bottom in the moon light
We even got treated to a fire work display from the Marina while we visited.
We even got treated to a fire work display from the Marina while we visited.

 

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