We went for a nice snorkel on Monday at the north end of Bonds Cay. Not much coral to see, but some large parrot fish and quite a few of them. Took the dink to land, but did not see any good trails on the island.
Had a nice rain on Monday, got about 15 to 20 gallons in the tank, and boat was nicely washed off. We motored up to Hoffman's Cay, as strong northeast to east winds projected - with rain.
We sat on the boat for the next two days while the winds blew 25 plus knots, and it rained. Good time to read books, relax, watch movies, and make bread and cookies. Went over to Breathe for a delicious taco dinner, with chocolate lava cake for dessert - so yummy. Made the dink trip in the rain worth it (plus the company was nice :)
The rain stopped and the sun came out on Thursday. We got off the boat and went for a hike to a blue hole, some ruins, and the ocean side of Hoffman's.
At the Blue Hole on Hoffman's Cay, unique overhang on west side.
View of Blue Hole from east side, you can see the overhang that we were standing under.
Ruins of old kitchen? You can still see the wood used for structure to support chimney.
Beautiful beach on ocean side. Lots of nice sea glass as well.
After exploring Hoffman's, we moved just a bit north to Soldiers Cay at high tide, as the water can get skinny on the west side of the Berry Islands. Saw 4'6" on the route, which gave us a whole 7" under the keels.
Soldier Cay was very pretty, so had to get off the boat and go for a nice walk again.
Some good waves coming in on the iron shore coast of Soldier Cay
Someone had left some chairs and table on the beach
Always so cool to see how wind, and water sculpt the rocks
Next day we headed out and had a nice sail up to a large bay on the west side of Great Harbor Cay, protected from the SE swell by Hawksnest Cay.
This is a beautiful spot. There is a mangrove river that needed our exploration, so took the dinks for a ride. There were so many turtles in the mangrove river, actually got tired of taking photos. The water varied from clear to murky, so no great photos. Really neat to see so many turtles, actually lost count on the number. Lots of turtles over 2' diameter, which was also neat to see.
Nice trip up the mangroves. Video below of Jason and Monica in their dink. Monica working to take photos of the turtles.
We also saw a nice ray, and got a closeup video.
Next day we decided to go for a nice walk. There is an abandoned championship golf course on the island. Used to be something in its day. "The rich and famous of the late 1960's such as Cary Grant danced the night away in the clubhouse. Brigitte Bardot graced the beaches with her beauty. Jack Nicklaus had a house on a hilltop along the back nine. Great Harbour Cay was popular with the socially elite Rockefeller clan, Dame Margot Fonteyn, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Ingrid Bergman and Hugh O’Brian were regular visitors."
The clubhouse is not so nice now - but interesting to walk around and explore.
Front steps to clubhouse
Main reception area
Anyone care for a swim?
Looking out at what used to be a golf course
Saw this little hermit crab on a bridge over the road. Don't worry, when he figured out he was at the edge, he did turn around and head back to safety..
Went for a walk along the beach as well. The Sargasso weed washed up on shore was thick, and our feet sunk in quite a ways. Nothing like sinking 6" into a wet weed full of guck.
Monica horrified :) at stepping in the Sargasso. You can see how deep it is by Deans feet not even visible
Beautiful view from top of hill looking at anchorage
Dean and Jason heading out to the dink after the hike
After the hike, we were all thirsty and hungry, so decided lunch was in order. Nice restaurant right off the beach, with good food.
Nice restaurant with good food.
Leaving restaurant with full happy bellies, heading back to dink.
We plan to stay here until Monday, then sail up to Sandy Cay on the SW point of Great Abaco Island.
That weed photo was crazy!!! The Berries are a special place, aren't they? We tried to go to that beach restaurant last year with Cerca Trova, we dinghied ashore but they were closed....maybe next time!
That weed photo was crazy!!! The Berries are a special place, aren't they? We tried to go to that beach restaurant last year with Cerca Trova, we dinghied ashore but they were closed....maybe next time!
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