Our destination today was Long Cay for good snorkelling. We decided to go “outside” from the Bank to Exuma Sound. On the Sound side of the Cays, there is a drop off to deep ocean not far from shore – no VP required and quite different sailing conditions. Our decision was based on three factors: we’d heard of a good dive you could do on the east of Highbourne Cay; the Battricks are sailors so we wanted to do some sailing; and we were comfortable attempting the cuts out of and into the Bank.We found the dive site and buoy which we were able to tie up to. Jamie, Chris and I had a pretty good dive – nothing like San Salvador but still pretty with canyons of coral reaching out like fingers towards the wall.
After the dive, we sailed again – not great sailing it turned out because the wind was in the wrong direction – and anchored at Long Cay --the colours of the water through the cut and at our anchorage just taking everyone’s breath away.
Once anchored, the landing party went off in the dinghy to scout out the snorkelling opportunities. No luck at all. The lagoon they explored had a beautiful sandy bottom and nothing else. Finally we used the chart to locate a likely spot and Jamie and Chris went out and found it. Because our dinghy is smaller than we would like, we had to ferry 8 people in two trips. So half the party went off and indeed found excellent snorkelling at Lobster Cay. This was the first time Phil and the boys saw the fish life of the Bahamas – they’ve been to the Barrier Reef – and they were suitably impressed with the clarity of the water and the colours and variety of the fish.
Later that evening was a fabulous sunset and fantastic moonrise. Perfect!
Pics: Bahamian Beach; Successful Snorkel Scouting; Melting Sun; Rising Moon
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