Tag Archives: Bahamas

Sharks feeding on Tuna at Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

LONG ISLAND, BAHAMAS (May 2018) – by Ryan

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From South Side Marina, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos, we traveled three days in a row, stopping at Mayaguana Island, Acklins Island, and finally Clarence Town, Long Island (Flying Fish Marina). The seas were relatively small and following, which was nice. The Customs and Immigration person arrived at our boat an hour after we arrived in Clarence Town, and checked us in quickly.

CLARENCE TOWN, LONG ISLAND (May 2018)

Ryan washing the salt off the boat, Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

Ryan washing the salt off the boat, Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas (Father Jerome’s Church in the background)

Flying fish marina is a very convenient spot for sport fishermen, with deep water just a few miles off the coast. Every day we were there the sport fishing boats would go out and come back with plenty of large fish, including Mahi Mahi and Tuna. Around dusk everyday the crew cleaned the fish and a lot of sharks came. Nurse sharks, Lemon sharks, and even a couple of Bull sharks, showed up everyday for the huge fish carcasses. Surprisingly the “docile” nurse sharks were also jumping two feet out of the water for the fish! We took amazing videos and pictures of the sharks feeding at the fish station

Yellow Fin Tuna
Fish cleaning station at Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas
Sharks feeding on Tuna at Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas
Sharks feeding on Tuna at Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas
Sharks feeding on Tuna at Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

Sharks feeding on Tuna at Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

Sharks feeding on Tuna at Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

Sharks feeding on Tuna at Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

Shark feeding on Tuna at Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

Shark feeding on Tuna at Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

Sharks feeding on Tuna at Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

Sharks feeding on Tuna at Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

In 2014, when were last at Flying Fish Marina, they were working on a new building, a pool, and a restaurant. While we were cruising down south, we heard that their construction work was blown away with one of the many hurricanes. During our most recent visit, we were glad to see the work was finished and the result was excellent. The restaurant was great, and the store/marine chandlery was well stocked with boating essentials. Overall, the marina has great facilities and is a great place to stop in the Southern Bahamas.

Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

Randy at Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

Randy at upper deck Outer Edge Grill, Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

Clarence Town (marina building on the left), Long Island, Bahamas

Clarence Town (marina building on the left), Long Island, Bahamas

One day, while we were on Long Island, we rented a car and went out exploring.

CAPE SANTA MARIA RESORT

 After driving North, nearly the full length of the island, we stopped at the Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort for Lunch. The view was excellent and so was the food.

Ryan, Randy & Ronan, Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort, Long Island, Bahamas

Ryan, Randy & Ronan, Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort, Long Island, Bahamas

Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort, Long Island, Bahamas

Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort, Long Island, Bahamas

Cape Santa Maria  Resort sits overlooking Calabash Bay. It looked like such a great spot, we decided to take our boat there to spend a night at anchor.

Cape Santa Maria, Long Island, Bahamas

Cape Santa Maria, Long Island, Bahamas

COLUMBUS MONUMENT

After lunch at Cape Santa Maria, we drove further north to the Christopher Columbus Monument. Allegedly, the monument is overlooking the spot that Columbus first anchored in the New World. The allegedly comes from a lack of hard evidence, and San Salvador (just north of Long Island) has also laid claim to being the first place Columbus anchored.

The drive to the monument was three miles through, let’s say, less than favorable terrain. The rental car was a compact and not exactly fit for that terrain. About halfway there we passed a pickup truck (presumably with four-wheel drive) turning around. We still, unbelievably, made it to the monument.

Dirt road to the Christopher Columbus monument, Long Island, Bahamas

Dirt road to the Christopher Columbus monument, Long Island, Bahamas

It was a very short hike up a small hill. We took some pictures and then went back down Rocky/Muddy/Bush Whack Ave. It was fun, and a good live history lesson.

Christopher Columbus monument, Long Island, Bahamas

Christopher Columbus monument, Long Island, Bahamas

Christopher Columbus monument, Long Island, Bahamas

Christopher Columbus monument, Long Island, Bahamas

Ronan & Ryan at the Christopher Columbus monument, Long Island, Bahamas

Ronan & Ryan at the Christopher Columbus monument, Long Island, Bahamas

View from the Christopher Columbus monument, Long Island, Bahamas

View from the Christopher Columbus monument, Long Island, Bahamas

View from the Christopher Columbus monument, Long Island, Bahamas

View from the Christopher Columbus monument, Long Island, Bahamas

HAMILTON’S CAVE

The next day, on Mother’s Day, we drove to Hamiliton’s Cave where the Lucayan Indians were thought to have once lived. The cave was full of many different types of bugs, bats, carvings, stalactites and stalagmites. Mom was very brave! Our guide, Leonard, told us that, in the past, the cave has been used as a hurricane shelter.

Ryan & Ronan entering the cave, Long Island, Bahamas

Ryan & Ronan entering the cave, Long Island, Bahamas

Ryan & Ronan exploring the cave, Long Island, Bahamas

Ryan & Ronan exploring the cave, Long Island, Bahamas

Ryan & Ronan exploring the cave, Long Island, Bahamas

Ryan & Ronan exploring the cave, Long Island, Bahamas

Carving in the stones in the cave, Long Island, Bahamas

Carving in the stones in the cave, Long Island, Bahamas

Cave, Long Island, Bahamas

Cave, Long Island, Bahamas

Cave, Long Island, Bahamas

Cave, Long Island, Bahamas

Theresa, Ronan & Leonard (guide) observing the bats in the cave, Long Island, Bahamas

Theresa, Ronan & Leonard (guide) observing the bats in the cave, Long Island, Bahamas

Theresa in the cave, Long Island, Bahamas

Theresa in the cave, Long Island, Bahamas

Stalactite in the cave, Long Island, Bahamas

Stalactite in the cave, Long Island, Bahamas

Ryan, Ronan, Leonard (our guide) and Theresa, Cave, Long Island, Bahamas

Ryan, Ronan, Leonard (our guide) and Theresa, Cave, Long Island, Bahamas

DEANS BLUE HOLE

After visiting Hamilton’s Cave, we took a quick visit to the infamous Dean’s Blue Hole. Dean’s Blue Hole is the second deepest saltwater blue hole in the world and the deepest one in the Bahamas. It is also the site of a few popular diving, and free-diving competitions. Unfortunately,  we did not go in, and just walked around the edge. I hope to go back and scuba dive Dean’s Blue Hole some day in the future!

Road to Dean's Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas

Another long bumpy dirt road to Dean’s Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas

Dean's Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas

Dean’s Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas

Dean's Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas

Dean’s Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas

Dean's Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas

Dean’s Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas

Ryan & Ronan at Dean's Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas

Ryan & Ronan at Dean’s Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas

Dean's Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas

Dean’s Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas

Ryan & Ronan at Dean's Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas

Ryan & Ronan at Dean’s Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas

Dean's Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas

Dean’s Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas

Dean's Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas

Dean’s Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas

We spent our last night on Long Island anchored in Calabash Bay, just off Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort.

Anchored just off Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort, Long Island Bahams

Anchored just off Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort, Long Island Bahamas

Randy & Ryan pulling up the anchojust off Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort, Long Island Bahams

Randy & Ryan pulling up the anchor in Calabash Bay, just off Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort, Long Island Bahamas

Our next stop in the Bahamas on our north bound journey was George Town, Great Exuma . . .

Bahamas Map

Southern Bahamas Map

Patton, Loblolly Beach, Anegada, BVI

Happy 15th Birthday Patton! – by Randy

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imageYesterday was a pretty important day aboard the Pilots’ Discretion. Patton, our intrepid, world traveling Cocker Spaniel turned fifteen (15) years old. Way back when we initially left the comfort zone of our home marina in Tarpon Springs, Florida (2 and 1/2 years ago) we had some concerns with how well our then 12 year old buddy would adapt to a life at sea. Our concerns were completely unfounded. Patton is the first one up every morning and the last one to turn in each night after surveying the boat to assure himself that the entire crew is accounted for.Patton Kindle

Patton crew

Patton crew

He loves excursions in the dinghy and he has his favorite spot picked out under the Captain’s helm chair for long passages.

Patton driving the dinghy in the BVIs

Patton driving the dinghy in the BVIs

Randy & Patton in front of Tthe Indians, B.V.I.

Randy & Patton in front of the Indians, B.V.I.

The story would not be complete without acknowledging there have been some concessions made due to the decision to cruise with Patton. We do not patronize places along the way that are not dog friendly. We have on rare occasions had more difficulty clearing immigration as a result of declaring Patton as part of our crew but all in all, he has been a very positive addition to our crew and we would not consider having it any other way.

Cable Car, Loma Isabel de Torres, Dominican Reupblic

Cable Car, Loma Isabel de Torres, Dominican Republic

 

For those of you following our blog who are not dog people, I am sure you just scratch your head when you see me acting like a very proud papa when talking about Patton. To the dog people following us, I know that I need to say no more.

Happy birthday Patton, the crew of the Pilots’ Discretion loves you❤️

Patton enjoying the sunset from The Bight, Norman Island, B.V.I.

Patton enjoying the sunset from The Bight, Norman Island, B.V.I.

 

Clarence Town, Long Island Bahamas (Latitude 23°06.123” N Longitude 074°57.604” W) – by Randy

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"Shark Warning" sign at Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

“Shark Warning” sign at Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

We are currently tucked into a slip at the Flying Fish Marina in Clarence Town, Long Island. When we departed Georgetown, Exumas, we were officially heading out of the Exumas as well as leaving the main cruising grounds favored by boaters when they envision a trip to the Bahamas.

On our trip south from George Town, we had another geographical milestone when we crossed the Tropic of Cancer (the latitude demarcation denoting the furthest north the sun travels in the summertime) at 23°30.000 N. We are officially now in “The Tropics.”

From here on, we will be in an area that is primarily a route to and from the Caribbean. That said, Clarence Town is justifiably a destination worth visiting even if you were not transiting to points south.

One of the two churches built by Father Jerome, Clarence Town, Long Island, Bahamas

One of the two churches built by Father Jerome, Clarence Town, Long Island, Bahamas

The town is famous for two skyline churches designed by Father Jerome. Father Jerome was a priest, trained as an architect at the end of the eighteen hundreds. He arrived in the Bahamas in 1908 with the mission of building church structures stout enough to withstand the force of the many hurricanes that have hit the islands. As such, all of his churches are made out of stone and are quite imposing and impressive.

Church, Clarence Town, Long Island, Bahamas

Church, Clarence Town, Long Island, Bahamas

 

 

 

 

 

The locals take great pride in their quaint island community and we found them all welcoming and always willing to lend a hand to a stranger.

The marina here is a first rate facility that caters to large sport fishing boats that ply the waters between here and the Turks and Caicos. Each day we have been here, we have seen several 75′ plus Hatteras and Viking Sport Fishing boats come in and take on 1500- 2000 gallons of fuel each.

Bull Sharks at Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

Bull Sharks at Flying Fish Marina, Long Island, Bahamas

While here, the crews from the boats have been cleaning their catch at the dock and that has provided us an opportunity to once again be entertained by the shark population indigenous to these waters. The sharks that we saw in the Exumas were a mix of primarily nurse sharks with a few black tip and lemon sharks, but here it is a different story. We are seeing almost exclusively bull sharks and they have put on quite a show for us as you can see in the video below.

They are so aggressive that when we accidentally dropped the end of our hose into the water a bunch of bull sharks hit it and shredded it instantly! When the next weather window presents itself we will continue our journey south and will post again from the Turks and Caicos.

 

 

Sting Rays off Volley Ball Beach, George Town, Exumas, Bahamas

Georgetown – by Randy

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Pilot's Discretion Position Report

Pilot’s Discretion Position Report

As you can see from our latest position update, we are currently anchored in Georgetown, Exumas. We have been here just over 1 week and I must confess that I was pleasantly surprised by how nice the community and surrounding area are. We had heard mixed reviews of Georgetown from various people who had travelled here before us so we were not quite sure what to expect. As it turns out, we have found Georgetown to be a great stop as we prepare to head south out of the Bahamas and on to the Turks and Caicos and the Dominican Republic.

There are currently about 150 cruising boats in the harbor at Georgetown and as a result there is an entire infrastructure set up to address any cruising boat needs. We have found it easy to reprovision here with multiple well stocked grocery stores, hardware and marine supply stores. There are several waterfront restaurants that are very dog friendly which makes Patton a happy guy as he gets to travel with us when we elect to have a meal ashore. One of our favorite spots is the Chat and Chill beachfront restaurant located on Volleyball Beach. Every day at about 2pm, the cruising kids and their parents gather at the beach for loosely organized games of volleyball or to swing on the rope swings or just to relax.

In addition there are a group of large stingrays that appear to almost be domesticated. They show no fear of human contact and in fact will come right up to you and eat conch out of your hands.

With all of the activities, it is no surprise that Ryan and Ronan have pronounced Georgetown as their “new favorite place.” It has been fun to watch the boys process this trip as they have consistently reported to us that each new stop is just a little more special than the last.

As for our immediate itinerary, it appears that we will be in Georgetown for about another week as we wait for a series of cold fronts and their associated strong winds to work their way through our location. The current forecasts show a potential window of settled weather around the 15th of January so we will be ready to get underway. Should the weather be suitable, we will head south and east for Clarence Town, Long Island. After that, we will proceed via Acklins island and Mayaguana before stopping over in our next country, the Turks and Caicos. We will update you next from there.

Little Harbor, Abacos to Spanish Wells, Eleuthera (Latitude 25° 32.478″ N, Longitude 76° 45.427″ W) – by Theresa

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Theresa & Randy atop the Hope Town Light House

Theresa & Randy atop the Hope Town Light House

We are now two months into our grand adventure with one month in the Bahamas. The past several weeks we spent an amazing eighteen (18) consecutive days tied to various mooring balls in the southern Abacos. Prior to refitting the boat with a Spectra water-maker and increased battery charge capacity, we could not have stayed untied from the dock for  so long. However, with these, and other additions, we had pleasant stays and extended safe harbor.

 

 

 

 

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Yesterday we took advantage of a brief weather window and exited Little Harbor Cut, off Great Abaco Island, out into the open waters of the North Atlantic. The weather data we reviewed called for six to eight foot (6′-8′) seas with 15-20 knot winds out of the NE, all of which we encountered during our passage. Additionally, we had occasional ten foot (10′) waves splashing over our bow. This gave us, and our wiper blades, vigorous exercise and served as a reminder to respect the powerful energy of the sea.

Everyone on board had firm sea legs beneath them and handled the rough sea conditions well. While Patton did appear a little green at times, and had difficulty finding a spot to lay comfortably, he too mustered up strong sea legs for the journey (all four of them).

Latitude 25° 32.478" N, Longitude 76° 45.427" W

Latitude 25° 32.478″ N, Longitude 76° 45.427″ W

We transited 48 nm south in the North Atlantic. The boys got a practical life geography lesson when we crossed one degree further south towards the equator and the chart plotter position rolled over from 26o north to 25o north. The seas calmed when we rounded the point and entered the lee of Royal Island, although the winds were still producing white caps even there. This made for a sporty entry into the narrow channel as we glided into Spanish Wells mid-afternoon.

As I write this, today it is Thanksgiving Day in the USA. While Thanksgiving is not a holiday that is celebrated in the Bahamas, we intend to celebrate it in traditional style, on board with a turkey and all the fixings. After all, we have innumerable blessings to be grateful for, not the least of which are safe passages, good weather and amazing family and friends, including those new friends we have made along the way.