Bahamian Island Hopping

After spending a relaxing, but expensive few days in Providenciales, (“Just say Provo, mon, don’t hurt your tongue.”) Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI), it was time to move on.  TCI has evidently ran up some debt that they are attempting to pay off through taxation.  As one observer noted, they only seem to have two industries in the islands, religion and tourism. 

 Solo Tu passing us

We had met some of the crew of Solo Tu a 101’ private yacht also headed for the Bahamas in Turtle Cove Marina in TCI.  Although they departed behind us, they soon passed by.

With no wind and very little swell the 56 NM to our first Bahamian island, Mayaguana, was very pleasant and uneventful.  As far as we could see, Mayaguana’s highest and best use today is the reef protected anchorage at Abraham’s Bay for boats arriving or departing the Bahamas.  It does have a government office where cruisers can check in next to a Bahamas Telecommunication Corporation (BTC) office with SIM cards for your phone.

After the long night crossings required between Turks & Caicos Islands, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico, it is nice to get back to island hopping.  Motivator’s crew prefers 50 to 60 mile legs with a nice anchorage to enjoy a sundowner at the end of the day.

Umbrella Rock marking the entrance to Attwood Harbour

One such anchorage is Attwood Harbour in the Crooked Island District.  The sailing vessel Sea Gem arrived soon after us.  We had briefly met her crew in TCI, so we enjoyed conversation and sundowners with them.  We were the only boats in the anchorage.

Rigging the anchor bridle in Attwood Harbour

One of our guide books say that Attwood Harbour is a “deathtrap in a norther,” and that is probably true.  However, both times we have anchored there we found it to be a quite pleasant.

Sea Gem at sunset

The next morning we beat Sea Gem’s crew out of the anchorage.  We did watch them on the AIS as they also headed for Little Harbour on Long Island.

AIS target on Motivator’s chart plotter

Other targets on the AIS were watched more closely.

Genco Thunder

Using the AIS presentation we were able to determine that a slight port turn would allow us to pass a mile behind the tanker instead of three tenths of a mile.  Pollie says, New Rule, we miss these guys by at least a mile.

Typical Bahamian Beach

Unlike the volcanic islands in the Caribbean we spent two years with, the Bahamas are mostly low lying lumps of limestone.  While the land masses are not as dramatic as in the Caribbean, the water is spectacular. 

The sometimes working lighthouse on Bird Rock

On the northeast tip of the Crooked Islands is a 112’ limestone lighthouse that is probably the highest point in the southern Bahamas.  I once asked a professional captain about the feasibility of moving at night in the Bahamas.  He said, “There are two types that move at night, fools and drug runners.”

Sandy Cay at low tide

After spending a pleasant night at Little Harbour with three other boats, we went around the southern point of Long Island and into Dollar Harbour.  Dollar Harbour is not your typical harbor.  At low tide there is sand around you.

Sandy Cay at high tide

The “landscape” changes somewhat at high tide.  Although you know that you are in shallow water, it feels like you are anchored in open water.

Evidently the bone fishing is good.  These day trippers seemed to be enjoying themselves.

S/V Fussel

Again the neighborhood was not crowded.  There was only one other vessel anchored in Dollar Harbour.

The next day we spent crossing the bank between Long Island and Great Exuma.  Most of the day we had 6’ or less under our keel.

Motivator’s course

We decided to cross the bank instead of going around the north side of Long Island for two reasons.  It is actually shorter even though you have to zigzag around White Cay Bank, and after six days without weather information it seem more prudent than open water. 

There is two types of weather.  The forecasted weather and the weather you see from the fly bridge.

Yep, that is a water spout.  I do not think that was on anybody’s forecast.  Luckily that squall passed behind us. 

We were not so lucky with the next squall.  But, all we got out of it was a free boat wash.

Gaviota Bay

Welcome to G’town!  No more secluded anchorages.  Timing is everything, we made it for the last day of the Family Regatta. 

More to follow.