Bahamas Summary

Below are a few of Laura’s photos.  They do most of the talking.

This is Cat Island and Eleuthera. 

The Abacos

Five weeks, and about 950 NM.  The only issue with the boat was a failing toilet pump that we replaced before leaving FL.  We discovered that the water tank is 463 litres, or about 125 gallons. 

The Exumas were undeniably beautiful.  I’ve never seen such vivid colours. My favourite area was Cat Island and Eleuthera.  It’s far less tourist driven, with no big resorts or cruise ship ports (yet – there’s a big Disney cruise ship port under construction on Eleuthera).  Groceries and good small restaurants were plentiful and reasonably priced.  I’d go back with the intention of spending more time ashore.

Bahamas.  Tick!

Sunset over the Gulf Stream

We’re back in Florida, anchored tonight in Stuart.  Tomorrow we’ll be in Indiantown where we departed five weeks ago. 

To catch up, we spent two more nights on Eleuthera, then from Spanish Wells headed north to the Abacos.  After three nights there we had a weather window and cruised 130 miles to West Palm Beach, arriving at 0200 this morning.  Lots of travelling, but under good conditions. 

It was a great trip.  I’ll write some further thoughts later and publish some of Laura’s photos.  Here are mine, all from Eleuthera. 

Eleuthera

View from the Barn House patio

We came into Rock Sound this evening.

The last two days have largely been traveling.  Yesterday we came up to Little San Salvador Island and anchored at a cruise ship beach as the passengers were departing.  Today we stopped for lunch at the Barn House Bar and Grill.  Delightful spot.

We’ll be following the shore up to Spanish Wells over the next couple of days, then on the Abacos.  Weather looks good for the hop between.

Cat Island

We’re anchored here.  Nice spot, sheltered from the NE winds that came today with a weak cold front.

We got to Georgetown Saturday, and decided to head over here Sunday after picking up water and stores there.  We reached the tip of the island around dusk and anchored in a mangrove channel last night.  I’ll post some of Laura’s pictures soon.

We’ll spend tomorrow here, then head up the island and on to Eleuthera.  The tentative plan is to head up through the Abacos after that. 

Exumas

It really is beautiful here. 

Andrew flew out of Staniel Cay this morning.  It was lovely having him join us.  We had some gorgeous weather and scenery, and a great swim in Thunderball Grotto.  Andrew and I were a bit apprehensive, but got in. Last night we enjoyed happy hour rum punch and conch fritters at Staniel Cay Yacht Club.

The remaining three  continue down the chain.  Tonight we’re anchored here, and tomorrow we’ll be in Georgetown.

From there the tentative plan is to head for Cat Cay and Eleuthera.  Playing it by ear and watching the weather.

Laura caught a fish today and cooked it for dinner with fried potatoes, cole slaw, and corn bread.  We’re eating well.  Freezer is still full, and all systems are working.

The only real incident since my last update is that we lost David’s propane grill off the stern when rolling a bit entering an inlet.  There were none to be had in Staniel Cay, but maybe we’ll find one in Georgetown.

Norman’s Cay

We met up with Andrew yesterday without a hitch and got down here before sunset.  Interesting spot.  Today we took Escapade around the island and into a big lagoon.  The water colours are spectacular in places.

Tomorrow we move a bit further down the chain.

Noteworthy was witnessing a SpaceX rocket ascending overhead last night.

Nassau

Nassau Harbour

We crossed over from Morgan’s Bluff today, and are now anchored here

Tomorrow is a reprovisioning day.  Andrew arrives Monday and we then head south to the Exuma chain of islands.

It was nice stopping for a few days.  David and I fixed a few things on the boat, and we had a night barbecue on the beach with other Canadian cruisers.  They’re thick around here.