Allen's Cay, Highbourne Cay, Norman's Cay.

Saturday May 18, 2013

When I began this trip, I was hustling to get down to Crooked Islands and to the Acklins. This morning, after listening to the long term forecast for this next week, I decided that time constraints were not going to allow that in time to return north of the Tropic of Cancer by June 1. (insurance stuff)

So now I have switched into explore mode.

I took the Whaler from Highbourne to Allens Cay to see the iguanas. I remember the first time I was there, in the 90's, how impressed I was with the ugly, prehistoric looking creatures, that would charge the skiff when you came near the shore, looking for hand-outs. Since exotic iguanas have inundated the Florida Keys, much of my iguana watching has been through the scope of a pellet rifle, and I am not nearly so enamored by their looks.

When I arrived at the cays, there was a group of college-age looking kids with a few snares, wandering about the island. The iguanas were all hidden. I went to the northernmost key, and saw a couple of iguanas.  I also saw this osprey.

I moved the MERCY down to anchor on the western side of Norman's Cay, and ran the Whaler to the north, along the beach, into the gorgeous anchorage on the SW side of Saddle Cay. That anchorage would be accessible by the east, or the north, watching for the shoals on the north. Mercy-dog and I enjoyed the sand spit that was here at low tide.

This little island, just off Norman's Cay, has got to be one of the most "postcard" looking islands I've ever seen.  It is truly beautiful!

Then we went by Whaler to the south, into the anchorage inside Norman's, and cruised over to look at the plane, still visible and awash, famous from the drug days of Carlos Lehder.

We went into Norman's Cay Pond, carefully marking our route to return for a hurricane hole, if we need one in this area. Some nice homes have been built in here since I was here last.

There was one 5.8' spot on, if Norman's follows Nassau by 30 minutes, about a 1.8' tide. This vessel was up in the far corner.

I scrubbed on the waterline, de-grassing the MERCY until my arms were tired, while the current was slack. Then I cooked a great dinner and enjoyed another beautiful evening in the Exumas.

N24 36.660' W076 49.223 in sand 8'

West Bay to Highbourne Cay

Fri 5/17/13

The day dawned with light winds about 110 and partly cloudy skies. I haven't been rained on yet, all trip.

I exited West Bay on the northern side through the reef, and ran just offshore into Nassau. I was surprised at all the construction along the beach enroute.

Nassau harbor is always an interesting place to pass through, with floating things from ships to paddleboards. I tried to get a few photos to share.

I pulled into the Texaco Star, Harbor View for fuel, to top off my water tanks, and rinse some of the salt off the boat. Niko, the young man who is the fuel attendant there is always very friendly and helpful.

As I left the western end of New Providence, I initially headed towards Elbow Cay, but pretty quickly changed course for a shorter trip on a better run to Highbourne Cay.

I anchored on the west side of the island, where I've frequently seen boats anchored, and was surprised how many kept piling in. There was a swell rolling through, and I checked my favorite cove around the corner to the north, and found it much better. With the Whaler, I found that there was enough water to get MERCY between the reef and the beach, so moved the boats around.

The northern cove has a gorgeous sand beach on its southern end, and is surrounded by high bluffs to the east, and lower rocks to the west. The sand there is good holding, and Mercy-dog and I love to walk the beach.  A vhf call to the marina with a request to visit their beach is usually answered with a pleasant reminder to not leave any trash.  It is a sad state that so many cruisers are so thoughtless.

The SKIPJACK was anchored in the cove, with Jack and Marla. They had been anchored well below me in the Berry's.


Four Bahamian sportfishing boats, each towing 20ft skiffs, came in and anchored directly upwind of me, three rafted together. They looked like they were having a good vacation with their boats full of families. Initially, their anchoring was pretty disconcerting, but, after they put out three bow anchors, and two stern anchors, keeping their bow into the swell rather than the wind..... I decided they would be so tangled together if they drug, that I would only have to dodge one large mass, rather than three drifting missiles. Sometime late, tranquility returned to the bay when the fleet went to bed.

Anchored N24 43.492' W 076 49.440' 8' in sand.