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Early on Tuesday, May 3rd (Barry's Mom's 104th birthday),  Sea Star was hauled out by Abaco Yacht Services in Green Turtle Cay and our journey home had begun. 

We caught the ferry from Green Turtle Cay to Treasure Cay, then a taxi to the airport at Marsh Harbour.  The drive along the road on Great Abaco Island gave a view of the horrific devastation caused by hurricane Dorian (Sept. 2019).  There were literally fields full of abandoned vehicles that had been damaged beyond repair in the hurricane.  As well, miles and miles of forests of trunks of trees left behind.  We wonder if they will "re-grow" someday?

We caught the 3:45 p.m. flight to Miami.  Masks were required for this flight but quickly abandoned once we lifted off and the bar service began.  We caught a great view from the air of West End on Grand Bahama Island.

We picked up our luggage and a rental car in the Miami airport and started on the drive to get our car which we had left in storage at Tiger Point Marina (Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island) Florida.  The rental car had to be returned to the airport at Jacksonville, so on our way through that area we decided to have a look at where we needed to go as it was in the middle of the night and the traffic was light.  We didn't want to put money on our U.S. phone, so once we left Fernandina Beach in our separate vehicles the prospect of losing each other in the traffic at the airport was somewhat daunting.  All went well and we picked up our car and were able to drop off the rental without incident.  

Now we just faced the 2,529 kilometer drive home.  We left Miami at 6:30 p.m. on May 3rd and arrived  home at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 5th, 2022.  ..... exhausted but so very happy to be safely home.

"Out" and About

 

Abaco Yacht Services on Green Turtle Cay is where we've booked to have Sea Star hauled out on May 3rd, 2022. 

The weather forecast is for yet another stormy week-end between now and when we haul.  This prompted us to make haste while the weather was good.  We headed out on the 6 hour passage to Marsh Harbour to pick up the transmission parts. 

(Further to "The Whale Channel" blog - April 15).  

Each way, between Green Turtle Cay and Marsh Harbour, 3 hours of the passage are through the whale channel. 

                            North end of Great Guana Cay - south end of the Whale Channel

We had the luxury of slack water for most of the outward trip however we were mid flood tide on our return.  Coupled with that we encountered a large swell running in out of the north.

The Atlantic swell off of our starboard side created a huge curl wave that stretched intermittently for miles.  Surf was definitely up!!

On our port side the swell was spectacular as it crashed over Whale Cay and surrounding rocks.  We travelled along, riding between the two in awe of the phenomena surrounding our little boat.  We got through okay but will revisit the scene in our minds for quite some time  :)

"The Whale" is a truly unique boating "situation" ..... certainly a learning experience for us. 

We've never given that much thought to "swell".  In the Caribbean a north swell will be forecast as a weather event in which boaters avoid anchoring in areas that are open to the north.  That was about it until we encountered "the whale". 

The rest of our passage to and from Marsh Harbour, in the beautiful turquoise Sea of Abaco, was very pleasant. 

                               Transmission parts - $309 U.S. + $60.00 shipping + $58.00 duty

We are so very grateful that Barry was able to catch up with the package of transmission parts before we leave the Bahamas.  He plans on making the repair upon our return.

Once back on Green Turtle Cay we anchored off Coco Beach and explored the shallow water there for starfish.  (orange as well as black stars were in profusion)

I regrettably grounded Sea Star in the soft sand of Coco Beach.  Barry rigged an anchor, attached to the mast and ran it off to the deeper water on our starboard side.  A passing power boat assisted us to list Sea Star over enough to set her free.  

Everyday is a whole new adventure.  :)

                               McIntosh Restaurant and Bakery - New Plymouth, Green Turtle Cay

                                                                 Breakfast Specials

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.