Moving through the Islands

 Sunrise Wednesday and three depart. Reviewing the morning weather showed conditions had improved for the northern route. Lighter winds smaller waves up north and for us the winds were almost too light as we worked our way down to the northwest channel and out by Chub Cay. The last six hours we motor sailed just off the wind and seas. We made good time but it was not as comfortable as either of us wanted. 

 Lots of  yachts towing 30 foot+ dinghies with multiple outboard engines

As we approached West Bay we saw that Betula was about a half hour ahead. I almost had taken the northern route when I saw the improved conditions which provided a wind angle for sailing and always better/faster than our day. The big plus of the morning was a couple of hours under just the Asymmetrical spinnaker where we had a time going above 8kts. 

We spent 2 nights in West Bay. Thursday a trip to see the underwater statues was put off because of water conditions but the seasons first snorkel on the shore of Clifton Point was a fine second option. 

Pearl Island Light between Athol and Rose Islands 

Not wanting to repeat the trip down from the Berry’s I decided to move to the north east corner of New Providence where I could have a better wind angle for the trip down to Allen Cay. Leaving West Bay we sailed for a couple of miles then slogged our way along the N shore. It was calmer when we came inside the reef near Sandals resort and our old abandoned Guanahani time share property. So many memories of the vacations flood back as we weaved through the shallows towards Nassau. Past the busy downtown with five ships in was good to see after last year’s total shutdown. We anchored in the lee of Athol Island where the lights of the ships and resorts filled the sky.

By 9am Saturday we cleared Porgee Rocks we got on the lay line to Allen and sailed. Just sailing is nice. We pulled in the sails 1 mile outside the anchorage between Allens and Leaf and after a few anchor settings we found a comfortable spot. The colors were beautiful and the water calm.

Sunday morning and off to the beach to visit the iguanas. After a half hour we went back to the boat and at nine the high-speed tour boats began to arrive from Nassau.

A steady stream of boat bringing hundreds of people through the course of the day. We packed up the dinghy and headed for a small beach and had a late PM wood fired bbq. Normally I just stay away from large power boats and yachts that run their generators all night long but I need to add charter boats to the list. They anchor to close, are to loud and even the sail boats run their generators too much. What a curmudgeon😁

Before we left Allan and we went back to the beach to try a trick I saw one of the tour operators do

It was fun

Our next stop was in the lee of Normans Cay to walk the mile Long Beach and explore. They have built a great new private marina at the southern tip that we dinghy toured and we almost got a beer at McDuffs but no mask no service. The walking and swimming exercise was necessary! 

I always think of my friend Laurie G when I see images in clouds and rocks… What do you see in the big cloud

Look for the birds little tongue and slow the film down and watch the move one bird puts on the other after he tries to come in