Manjack Cay

 

On April 25th we drifted along 3 miles north to Manjack Cay.  We were anxious to set anchor in this gorgeous location as we'd heard it was a good spot to see rays and sharks since the dive/tour boat operators feed them off the beach here. 

On our approach we spotted a dive boat with people snorkelling in the water.  After they left we headed over to where they had been and found a beautiful coral garden. 

We set off through the gorgeous turquoise water to see if we could find the beach where the rays and sharks were being fed.  

We hiked across land from one beach on the Sea of Abaco side to one on the Atlantic ocean side as we thought that would be the spot. 

Our legs nearly fell off as we hiked for what seemed like miles through the soft sand. 

After a quick dip to recover from the hike we were surprised as a large and a small ray came right into shore.....right up to our feet ..... obviously we'd found the spot.

While at Manjack Cay we got a phone call from the post office in Marsh Harbour.  Our package of transmission parts was ready to be picked up.

Marsh Harbour ..... here we come!!

Crab Cay - Nunjack Harbour

 

We spent a night at the edge of Nunjack Harbour which is a channel out to the Atlantic between Crab Cay and Manjack Cay.  

We were surprised to see pine trees along the edge of the beach.  We had a good turtle sighting here.

New Plymouth - Green Turtle Cay

 

On Saturday, April 24th we took a very wet dinghy ride in to town (New Plymouth).  We've been anchored a mile or so north of New Plymouth in the lee of Joyless Point for the past 3 days while a northeast wind has pummeled the Bahamas.  (it has been joyless)

We anchored for 1 night in the White Sound lagoon, Green Turtle Cay but chose to move out to a more open anchorage before the forecasted wind event began.  Good planning as we dragged a couple of days later and found ourselves "hanging on" with 2 anchors. 

White Sound offers great protection from the fetch.  It's thick grassy bottom is perfect for turtle viewing but unfortunately not good holding.  We needed a location that would allow us swing and drag room.

While in New Plymouth we managed to get both of our propane cylinders filled, checked out the cemetery with its beautiful view of the sea, and chanced upon the bronze sculpture garden that was erected in memory of the loyalist settlers. 

Its hauntingly realistic bronze busts immortalize key figures who were among the earliest loyalist settlers on Green Turtle Cay. 

The garden represents a new beginning in the Bahamas for the thousands of loyalists of the American Revolution 1783. 

No Name Cay - Party On!

 

We'd heard you could feed the wild pigs at No Name Cay so we headed over on Easter Sunday to check it out for a couple of days.  While most were eating ham, we'd go feed some.

Wow!!  Who knew we'd find a huge party going on there.  All that's on the island is a very large bar/pavilion......oh, and the pigs, of course.   A live band played all day to entertain the party goers who were coming and going on large power boats.  

One thing we find quite unique is that all "party" activities/dinners out etc. are concluded before dark (7:30).  We were surprised to find at last light that No Name Cay was left to us....and the pigs. 

It was as lit up as Vegas but all partiers had left.  We wonder why?  Sure, they came in by boat but that night there was a full moon plus they must know these waters like the back of their hands.  Odd. 

                                                         full moon in the morning light

We note that the restaurants all serve breakfast and lunch with a special dinner sometimes being served one day a week.  

We enjoyed nosing around the lagoon at No Name Cay.  

                                           crystal clear water in the channel into the lagoon

The crystal clear water in the channel allowed us a great view of large orange star fish and turtles.  We could even see the fish swimming through into the grass bottom, mangrove lined lagoon.

It's hard not to notice this private island, complete with mansion, beach and palm trees.  It's completely open to the Atlantic Ocean and sits adjacent to No Name Cay.

Barry's Birthday

 

This year, on his birthday, Barry had the pleasure of exploring Green Turtle Cay's main town .... New Plymouth.

We saw many different means of transport.  We arrived by dinghy but others were moving around by power boats, ferries, golf carts, cars and trucks.  Golf carts appear to be particularly popular.  

The Whale Channel

 About a month ago we started picking up the Abaco's Cruiser's Net on the VHF radio each morning.  At that time, we started hearing about "the whale".  Every day someone would call in and ask if anyone could report on the conditions in "the whale".

All along the barrier islands (cays) off Great Abaco Island's north, northeast and east coast are channels that allow the (inside) Sea of Abaco to meet up with the (outside) Atlantic Ocean.

In order to continue heading northwest in the sheltered waters of the Sea of Abaco one must pass through the Whale Cay Channel.  For 4-5 miles it is necessary to travel in the Atlantic Ocean parallel to Whale Cay while being effected by the wind, wave, swell and tide conditions of the Sea of Abaco.  The coming together of the wind and sea state of the ocean and sea coupled with the 1 meter tidal flow can result in a very rolly ride. 

We "staged" nearby and planned our approach carefully. 

On April 14th the Sea of Abaco had a light breeze (14kts) coming out of the east-southeast.  The Atlantic was calm with a very small swell.  We made the passage at slack water. 

                                     A ferry and a boat under sail passed us in the channel.

                                                    In the channel, rounding Whale Cay.

The weather window we chose was in the calm before the approach of a cold front.  (thanks for that weather course John Kabel)  We took the chance that we might encounter rain and indeed it did rain upon us twice during the 3 1/2 hour passage.

We dropped anchor in the lee of Green Turtle Cay and picked up our emails only to find the transmission parts we ordered had cleared Customs ......in Nassau. (?)  Should they find their way to the marina in Marsh Harbour we may have 2 more passes through the whale in our future.  

Great Gauna Cay

We find ourselves meandering; progressing along a couple of miles each day from beach to beach on Great Gauna Cay.  Our first anchorage was Crawl Bight, our 2nd was at Fisher's Bay, 3rd - Crossing Bay and our 4th was at Baker's Bay.  

                    Crawl Bay was spectacular as it is beside a channel open to the Atlantic Ocean. 

Our first ride over in the dinghy was quite a wild one as we rode in to the incoming tidal surf.  On our 2nd trip we were able to walk out to the sandbars at low tide. 

                               4 Tropicbirds entertained us with their chattering at Crawl Bight. 

This is not my photo but it shows more clearly how beautiful the tropicbirds are with their long sweeping tails.  When they fly over the water the turquoise colour reflects on to their white underbelly.  Unlike "gulls", tropicbirds chatter back and forth between each other.

We made a hasty retreat from Fisher's Bay after we watched a tug with a barge skim between the boats on anchor.  We also weren't too sorry to escape the jet skis coming out of the resort on the beach there.

                  At Crossing Bay we were shocked to see the wreck of a catamaran on the beach.

Numerous ferries and barges were bringing workers and construction material in to the commercial dock at Crossing Bay.  Reconstruction and development is underway everywhere we look.  Right now the beaches are ours to enjoy but we can see that may not be the case in the future.

                                Baker's Bay offered the longest beach and the best shelling to date.

The shells on Baker's Bay beach look like bubbles in the sand.

A very interesting huge building is centre stage on the crescent of beach.  We wondered if it was a church.  They were doing reconstruction work on it as was the case with most of the buildings.