Wow! We’ve been in The Bahamas just over five months and have only seen a tiny bit if what this lovely country has to offer. We extended our immigration documents for another three months allowing us to stay her until June 19. As much as we would love to stay three more weeks, we’ve decided to return to Florida before Memorial Weekend.
For those of you who may not know, we have decided to sell our little sailboat. It’s hard to believe we have enjoyed her for fourteen years. Literally, gallons of blood, sweat and tears have gone into this boat-and so many memories. It will be a very sad day when she sells. That said-if anyone wants a well outfitted, circumnavigate ready, 46 year old boat-give us a call:)
Anyhow-onto our travels: some words and lots of photos. We have had the trip of a lifetime, made new friends and had so much fun, adventure and some sailing, too. I regret we did not post more-but there were so many things to do & see.
Lastly, before getting on I would like to encourage everyone to visit The Bahamas. The water is MAGICAL, the wildlife is abundant and the weather is most agreeable. Pictures do not do justice to the beauty of the seascape & beachscape; nor the sheer, sometimes terrifying, ruggedness of the all limestone landscape.
The greatest treasure of this tiny country is the people. By far, the friendliest, welcoming, sharing people ever!
Bimini Islands
Bimini has been our first and last stop both times we’ve come to the Bahamas. After the first time January 2020 and having Famous Joe’s Conch Salad we have made a point to go every time, even during our short window during COVID-19 with all the safety protocols.
Bimini is very small, yet one of the most popular entry ports as it is only 45nm from Miami. For us averaging 5 knots, that’s 9-10 hours depending on weather, seas and the gulf stream. For a motor yacht that has a cruising speed of 20 knots, Bimini is just a little over two hours away!
Great Guana Cay, The Exuma Cays
Black Point Settlement
This place quickly jumped to the top of my list when we did an overnight here in 2020. Beginning with the stark white cliffs dubbed the”White Horses” that mark the cut from east to west in Dotham Cut into the pristine crescent white sand beach with an endless sand bottom shallow waters glowing in shades of blue and turquoise I’ve never seen. Absolutely awe inspiring. Then an obvious but quaint looking settlement. Super friendly to cruisers. Very dangerous & delicious 2 for 1 rum punches and a killer DJ!
White point (a point just south of Black Point)
Our first intentional “buddy boat” anchorage with Voyager & Sandial. Robert is crazy mad for snorkeling & had found several rocks near here the year before. So it became a mission: find lobster, kill lion fish & snorkel, snorkel, snorkel! We did all that. We got 2 conch one day & 2 lobster the next and feasted on both.
Little Bay ( possibly Carla’s favorite)
We anchored in 7 feet of water and so close to shore we could swim it in 3 minutes. Our friends on Voyager talked us into leaving White Point and going here
There' so much more and just not enough time, so a few more pictures:
