Belize, Glovers Reef, Southwest Cays – Here comes the rain

It must be difficult to be a weather forecaster. Get it right and everyone thinks you have the easiest job in the world. Get it wrong and everyone thinks you are an idiot. Our weather forecaster appears to have gotten things a little wrong….idiot!

We had a lovely sail south to Glovers Cay. It looked a bit shallow trying to get into the North of the Atoll so we came in from the south and anchored off the beach at Southwest Cays. The beach here is a picture postcard image of a true palm fringed beach with crystal clear waters. Unfortunately the resort at this end of the cay has closed down and the caretaker has but up a load of ‘Private Properly’ signs. Great protection here, but anchoring around the north end of these cays will give you better land access.

We had a visit from the Marine Park Wardens who collected $10 Belize each from the humans, who had to pay a total of $10 US as they do not have any Belize funds yet (small matter of not visiting a bank yet). The Wardens were very friendly, one had even done a tour of military duty in England and Canada. They told us the caretaker ashore was happy to take ‘small tokens of appreciation’ for land access to the great beach here, but the humans have me on ‘boat lock down’ until my back left leg is better. I have been limping a little and they are over protective. I am ‘milking it’ for the sympathy treats now.

The Wardens told us the snorkelling was very good on the reefs right beside our anchored boat, but the best diving was now in the North. They said the reefs in the south had been over fished. So the humans took a break from all the diving and did some snorkelling here instead. The two reefs just east of the anchorage were very lovely.

This afternoon the storm clouds moved in. No rain yet, but the wind has picked up. The forecast did say we might see the occasional shower tomorrow, but that the winds would stay light. The humans had planned to sail to the mainland and finally check into Belize. Now that the weather has turned windy and cloudy, they may have to pick a sheltered anchorage to head to, inside the barrier reef, instead of focusing on getting to the mainland.

They are determined to set off early tomorrow, but they will see what the winds and weather are like before making a final decision on where to next. Either way we need to get to a shore soon as we are to canned and frozen supplies. Keep you informed on their decision.

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