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)

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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