Green Turtle Cay to Guana Cay
This morning, the captain decided that we would depart from Black Sound and head to Guana Cay thus passing through the dreaded Whale Cay Cut! The map above does not show the small islands or the cut.
As I mentioned on our last post, “The Whale” is a topic of conversation throughout the Abacos because unless you are a small fishing boat with a shallow draft, you must navigate this passage to come and go from the main group of islands of the Abacos to the west end of the Abacos where you exit to return to Florida. Because of its position, you go out into the Atlantic for three miles and then return back through this passage. This cut can experience rage conditions in any weather if a large swell from the northeast arrives. This swell can originate hundreds or thousands of miles away and then mount and break in the cut. Any vessel attempting to enter or depart the cut while this condition occurs is at serious risk.
Dream Chaser motored out of Green Turtle Cay a little after 8 am with light wind, blue skies, and scattered clouds. Waves started out at 1-2 ft. and grew to 4-6 ft. rollers as we progressed. Winds picked up to 15 mph from the east. “Whale” reports, received by the marine radio from other boats, sounded good for passage.
Mary had been nervous about the passage after hearing cautions from so many boaters. The captain did not tell her when Dream Chaser entered the passage, so we were half way through before she even knew it...With great relief, Mary did her happy dance!
A little after 11 am, Dream Chaser slipped into her dockage at Orchid Bay in Guana Seaside village on Guana Cay. The marina just happened to be having a reduced rate on dockage (for only today and tomorrow) from $1.75 per foot with a $42 per day savings. Praise the Lord! The rate goes back up on Monday after we leave!
We walked to Seaside Village; a small community with a hardware store, grocery, church, school, post office, phone company, and two resorts. Then, we found the gorgeous, white sand beaches that stretch for miles on both ocean and bank sides. We walked about three miles on the hard sand beach with the waves rolling over our feet. :) Perfect!!!
We found a great place to relax on the beach!
Rental golf carts are in abundance, so we spent a couple hours exploring the island. Steve drove all the 8 ft. wide paved roads (three miles total) and about two miles unpaved. Mary just hung on tighter!
When you drive the narrow roads on Guana Cay, you have to remember to drive on the left side of the road, the stop signs are yellow and blue, enjoy the gorgeous flowers, and watch for roosters and chickens because they are everywhere. They also crow anytime of day and night. The last picture is a coconut sprouting.
“Dream in Bobber. Hang it on the Tree. Island Breeze will set Dreams Free.
Your Dream will come true. When it finds you.”
Sunday, March 16, 2014
We were up before dawn and walked to Guana Cay Beach to watch the sun rise. Seven miles of white sand spread out before us as the waves rolled in with the in-coming tide. Magnificent!
Famous with boaters is Nippers Beach Restaurant and Bar. Perched on top of the ocean side of the island, there are breathtaking views along with a swimming pool and great Bahamian food. Sundays from noon on, they serve an all-you-can eat pig roast buffet! We excitedly joined the people eating, drinking, and listening to 70's tunes! The place is a blast and packed by 2 pm!
It was a relaxing afternoon of kickin' back like the locals followed by another walk on the beach.
When we passed Nippers about 5pm, the younger crowd (high school to 30's) was in full swing with far less material in their swimsuits than earlier in the day and a whole different kind of music. A very entertaining group!
At 6:30 pm, we joined the Seaside Gospel Church for another service of preaching and singing of some of the old hymns.
The winds picked up about 7 pm, and the boats began a rocking. Orchid Marina has a breaker wall of sorts, but with wind and high tide the boats really bounce. One large catamaran had to be towed back from shore when it lost it's anchorage due to all the blowing! Internet is available free at Orchid Marina, but only next to the marina office. The wide porch which wraps around the building is full of people sitting in beach chairs with their computers or other devices in their laps trying to connect with the outside world or wherever! It provides entertainment on shore until the winds die down (hopefully) and the tide falls. Steve and Mary are both parked in beach chairs until it calms down and is easier to get on-board.
Until the next post, may you have fair winds and following seas or
if you're in the frozen North... we just hope Spring arrives all that snow and ice melts, soon!
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