Monthly Archives: July 2018

HIGHBOURNE CAY & ALLEN CAY, BAHAMAS – by Ronan

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After Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park, we pulled into port in Highbourne Cay Marina, where we were able to see nurse sharks, and reef sharks lurking around in the water right under our boat! After we were docked, we went bike riding around the island, found an isolated beach, and went kayaking. The next day, we took a short (5 minute) dingy ride over to Allen Cay,  which is an uninhabited cay full of wild iguanas. There were none on the beach as we approached, but with the hum of our dinghy motor approaching, dozens crawled out from the brush seeking fruit and vegetable snacks. Click the photo below for a video (v-log) of our adventures!

We were advised to be careful because the iguanas have sharp teeth and will bite if you get too close.

Iguana, Allen Cay, Bahamas (2018)

Iguana, Allen Cay, Bahamas (2018)

Our next of port of call, after Highbourne and Allen Cays, was Atlantis, Nassau . . .

P.S. There are no buses on Highbourne Cay!

Ryan & Ronan @ the “Bus Stop,” Highbourne Cay, Bahamas (June 2018)

Ryan & Ronan @ the “Bus Stop,” Highbourne Cay, Bahamas (June 2018)

 

 

EXUMA CAYS LAND SEA PARK, BAHAMAS – by Ryan

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After stopping at Big Majors Spot, we headed north to Warderick Wells (the Exumas Cays Land and Sea Park). We spent a couple nights on a mooring ball and went hiking and kayaking during our stay. We hiked the main trail to Boo Boo Hill where we looked through the large pile of drift wood for boat names that we recognized. We kayaked past the park ranger’s station and hugged the coast until we got to the isolated Lucky Spot Beach. One morning while we were in the park, a nurse shark was hanging out behind our boat all morning. Click on the video below to check out our adventures at Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.

Our next stop was Allan Cay …

Swimming piglets at Big Majors, Bahamas

WHEN PIGS SWIM! BIG MAJORS SPOT, BAHAMAS (MAY 2018) – by Theresa

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Continuing with our video logs, after leaving Staniel Cay astern, we next stopped at Big Majors Spot, home to the infamous swimming pigs. (Click on photo below for video.) The three little piglets swimming ashore, 0.55 seconds in to the video, were absolutely priceless!

The pigs swim out to greet the arriving dinghies, aiming to have their efforts rewarded with snacks. Although most of the swimming/beach pigs were docile and friendly, there was one rather large and aggressive pig. The posted warning advised beachgoers to beware of the pig (pictured above and below) appropriately named “Big Mama Karma.”  She was given that moniker because, like karma, she had been known to come back and bite individuals in the backside!

Big Mama Karma, Big Majors, Bahamas

Big Mama Karma, Big Majors, Bahamas

After Big Majors Spot, we next set a course north to Exuma Land and Sea Park…

STANIEL CAY YACHT CLUB, EXUMAS, BAHAMAS (MAY 2018) – By Theresa

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Those following our journey closely know that we have been remiss in posting. In an effort to catch up to our actual present location, and still post updates on each of our stops along the way (for those following and planning similar routes), we will be posting a series of video logs (“V-LOGS”). Our first V-LOG covers Staniel Cay, in the Exumas, in southern Bahamas (hit the “play” button on below photo  for the V-LOG). The sharks at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club put on a spectacular show at the fish cleaning station and in the underwater lights directly behind our boat!

We had visited the Staniel Cay Yacht Club on our previous journey south, in 2014 [See [Staniel Cay, Exumas (2014) – by Randy] ].

One of the charming aspects of the Staniel Cay Yacht Club is that it has preserved its quintessential small cay essence for decades.  On our latest trip, we had the pleasure of adding to the decades old ambiance of the establishment. If you ever get the pleasure of visiting Staniel Cay Yacht Club, look for the Pilots’ Discretion life ring hanging on a post, just to the left of the entrance!

Ryan, Theresa & Ronan in front of the Pilot's Discretion life ring, Staniel Cay Yacht Club, Exumas, Bahamas (May (2018)

Ryan, Theresa & Ronan in front of the Pilot’s Discretion life ring, Staniel Cay Yacht Club, Exumas, Bahamas (May (2018)

We know some of you have already found it. You know who you are! If anyone else finds it, let us know.  Next stop, Big Majors Cay …

Sandals Beach Resort, Emerald Bay, Exumas, Bahamas

GEORGETOWN & EMERALD BAY, SOUTHERN BAHAMAS (May 2018) – by Theresa

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GEORGE TOWN, GREAT EXUMA, EXUMAS, SOUTHERN BAHAMAS

We arrived in George Town, dropped anchor, and were met with a low weather system. The ensuing squalls and lightning storms were among the worst we had encountered in all our time at sea.

Squall in Georgetown, Great Exuma, Bahamas

Squall in Georgetown, Great Exuma, Bahamas

Squall in Georgetown, Great Exuma, Bahamas

Squall in Georgetown, Great Exuma, Bahamas

Eventually, the stormed cleared and we rode our dinghy through the tunnel, into Lake Victoria. The Exuma Market (very well stocked for provisioning) had a new, floating, dinghy dock. The Exuma Yacht Club, across the street, had, what the boys’ claimed, “the best burgers in all of the Caribbean.”

Georgetown dinghy dock, Great Exuma, Bahamas

Georgetown dinghy dock, Great Exuma, Bahamas

Georgetown dinghy dock, Great Exuma, Bahamas

Georgetown dinghy dock, Great Exuma, Bahamas

No stop in Georgetown would be complete without a visit to Chat ‘n Chill over on Stocking Island.

Chat 'N' Chill, Volley Ball Beach, Stocking Island, Exuma, Bahamas

Chat ‘N’ Chill, Volley Ball Beach, Stocking Island, Exuma, Bahamas

Randy chilling at Chat 'N' Chill, Volley Ball Beach, Stocking Island, Exuma, Bahamas

Randy chilling at Chat ‘N’ Chill, Volley Ball Beach, Stocking Island, Exuma, Bahamas

The resident stingrays were hovering by the fresh conch salad stand waiting to be fed by those brave enough to get in the water with them.

Stingray at Chat 'N' Chill, Volley Ball Beach, Stocking Island, Exuma, Bahamas

Stingray at Chat ‘N’ Chill, Volley Ball Beach, Stocking Island, Exuma, Bahamas

Kids feeding & petting Stingray at Volley Ball Beach, George Town, Exumas, Bahamas (May 2018)

Kids feeding & petting Stingray at Volley Ball Beach, George Town, Exumas, Bahamas (May 2018)

St. Francis, just around the corner, was a great spot to end the day.

Dinghy dock at St. Francis restaurant, George Town, Exumas, Bahamas (May 2018)

Dinghy dock at St. Francis restaurant, George Town, Exumas, Bahamas (May 2018)

MARINA AT EMERALD BAY 

After George Town, we continued our journey north, next pulling in at Marina at Emerald Bay.

Marina at Emerald Bay, Great Exuma Island, Bahamas

Marina at Emerald Bay, Great Exuma Island, Bahamas

A short walk away, Sandals Resort is located on a white sand crescent beach.

Sandals Beach Resort, Emerald Bay, Exumas, Bahamas

Sandals Beach Resort, Emerald Bay, Exumas, Bahamas

Sandals Beach Resort, Emerald Bay, Exumas, Bahamas

Sandals Beach Resort, Emerald Bay, Exumas, Bahamas

Sandals Beach Resort, Emerald Bay, Exumas, Bahamas

Sandals Beach Resort, Emerald Bay, Exumas, Bahamas

Sandals Golf Course, Emerald Bay, Exumas, Bahamas

Sandals Golf Course, Emerald Bay, Exumas, Bahamas

Continuing our journey north, our next stop in the southern Bahamas was the infamous Staniel Cay …