When we arrived at Nanny Cay, we realized that the marina that we have known for many years was no longer there. In a separate and newly constructed sheltered basin, Nanny Cay has built a brand new marina with very substantial, state of the art floating docks, complete with 50 & 60 Hz power, potable water and high speed internet.
A walk of a few hundred yards takes you to where the previous docks once were. In their place are many hulks and partially sunken boats of every description.
For us, Nanny Cay quickly became the dichotomy that is the current maritime industry in the BVIs. Many new and gleaming boats and support facilities standing next to boats and structures that have been irreparably damaged beyond recognition.
That said, there was fuel available at the fuel dock and the boat yard, shops and restaurants were open for service. There was also a well supplied chandlery on premises. We were met with smiling faces of the staff that have now become our friends, their strength through adversity is both humbling and reassuring.
During our stay in Nanny Cay we discovered a stow away aboard Pilots’ Discretion.
It turns out our stow away “Truffles” actually resided on a neighboring boat, and just liked spending time on our boat.
While at Nanny Cay we also encountered another creature, unlike any that any of us had ever seen before. It was about 6′-8″ in diameter and glided through the water with wing-like grace, bobbing its upper extremity up and down out of the water.
Unable to determine is species, we posted a video of it online, soliciting the input from of our Caribbean diving buddies to help us identify the curious creature.
We were subsequently informed that it is an Aplysia Morio, the Atlantic Black Sea Hare or Sooty Sea Hare, a species of sea slug. It is a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Aplysiidae, the sea hares. It lives in warm waters in the Caribbean Sea and off the south and southeastern coast of the United States, where it feeds on seaweed. seaweed.harehttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aplysia_morio
After spending a few days at Nanny Cay, provisioning, tending to boat maintenance and generally relaxing, we welcomed aboard one of Randy’s fellow pilots and friend “Scott” for a quick visit. Scott had previously visited us in the BVIs several years ago so we were curious to see what his reaction would be to the post hurricane islands. Day 1 with Scott aboard, we departed Nanny Cay for Gorda Sound on the north end of Virgin Gorda (and the site of some of the most devastating Hurricane Irma damage). More on Gorda Sound, Virgin Gorda in our next post.
So, Nanny Cay will be one of our stops, for sure. I think we should reserve a slip, what do you think? We can call ahead, I am sure. I’m following closely because we leave in 47 days:) I am so excited. We’ve done this twice with a hired captain, but this time we are bareboat! Thank you for all of your information.
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Nanny Cay is often close to capacity. We always recommend getting a reservation if possible
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Very interesting information. Can’t believe the differences pre and post hurricane. Thanks for sharing!
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It’s completely mind-boggling to see the amount of destruction and devastation down there!! Thank you for your photos and descriptions! Sylvia
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