Bimini to Staniel Cay

Yes we are still alive!

Anchored at Shroud Cay

Since clearing in at Bimini we haven’t had any internet. Another couple with a Bahamas BlackBerry offered to let me send out an email but they couldn’t pick up a signal. The Bahamas – other than the main tourist spots – is pretty sparsely populated.

Our first stop across the Great Bahama Bank was New Providence Island...but on the opposite end of the island from Nassau...to get protection from the wind. We stayed there a few days on the anchor. We didn’t put the dinghy in as it was pretty choppy and there was nothing close enough to dinghy to...but it was a nice relaxing couple of days.

Next we headed for Highbourne Cay...again to get protection from the wind which was clocking around to come out of the north...and again we didn’t put the dinghy in as there is only a

small marina at Highbourne Cay. We stayed there for a few days waiting for favourable winds.

Thunderball Grotto - Staniel Cay

Next it was off to Shroud Cay...which is in the Bahamas Land and Sea Park. Finally the dinghy went in and we explored the mangrove swamps all the way to the ocean side of the island, we swam, explored the beaches, snorkeled and socialized with the other cruisers...but the island is uninhabited (as is most of the park) so no internet. We were there for a few days when we got word a norther was heading our way but we were in a spot with good protection from the north so we stayed.

Conch "Fishing"

The strong winds of the norther died down to 10 – 12 kts ...perfect for a sail southward to Staniel Cay...our first landing (since Bimini) in Bahamian civilization. We’ll be here for a few days to provision, fuel, take on water...and visit the swimming pigs at Big Major Cay and Thunderball Cave (from the old Bond movie)...and there is internet here...so we will call if we can get a strong enough signal

Next planned stops are Black Point and then George Town...all weather dependent.