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

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.

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.