Catching up - then Staniel Cay

While in Little Farmer's Cay, we visited J.R.'s shop. After careful selection from so many choices, we purchased a Phoenician Bahama Mama. A wood carver extrordinaire, J. R. specializes in various Bahama Mamas as well as eagles, owls, parrots, osprey, and fish. He is well-known throughout the Exumas for his beautiful carvings from Wild Tamarind wood.


Our last full day in Black Point was perfect for a snorkeling adventure with Jeff and Tessa (s/v Inamorata). After our long dingy rides, we stopped on Gaulin Cay South. We were surprised when Iguanas came out to the beach to great us. We had read that the next cay north, Bitter Guana Cay was home to a protected Iguana habitat. A narrow cut separates these two cays, but the cut does not keep the iguanas from crossing to Gaulin Cay South. They seemed pretty tame and expectant of a snack, but we were empty handed; they soon grew bored with us and climbed the rock wall of the cay and hid in the brush.



Just north of the cut, a regal osprey was on watch
guarding its nest on this well-selected cliff.

As we snorkeled and free-dived (no free diving for me, but I want to!) several small reefs, we saw a variety of colorful fish from just a few inches to over a foot. Purples, blues, yellows, and oranges from the reef fish along with the coral, sponges, fans, and sea urchins plus a few crabs - like swimming in an aquarium.

Leaving Black Point, we had fast and rolly passage to the Staniel Cay area. A favorite spot for cruisers, this busy area has much to offer the cruiser. Taking advantage of the flights from Nassau and Fort Lauderdale landing daily on the 3,000 foot airstrip, cruisers arrange meeting dates to pick up their family and friends who are coming to visit. In addition to the the Staniel Cay Marina facilities, moorings and anchorages offer lots of locations and protection choices.

We are anchored west of Big Major Cay. We have a bit of a dingy ride over to the Staniel Cay Village. We can go to the south of Big Major or the north, through a little cut by Fowl Cay Resort. The north route is a little longer, but is so much drier. We pack our computers in waterproof (not completely accurate) bags and then put them in our backpacks (which we wear), but arriving somewhere with only a little damp 'dingy butt' is surely preferable to being soaked with waves coming over the bow or side.

Visiting Pig Beach on Big Major Cay is a must and we are just a short dingy ride away. 'Wild' pigs roam the the south part of the island, but are always close enough to the beach to hear a motor. They are so glad to see what you have brought them and they will swim out to you and your dingy. We took raw carrots (which they loved) and cauliflower (which they finally ate).

We are enjoying the area and activities and will be back soon with more tales and pics.