March 23, 2021 Bay of Five Pirates to Devils Cay

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We left the Grand Harbor Cay in the Bay of Five Pirates well after coffee time.  We had accomplished many things here, the most important being our final Covid test to meet Bahamas immigration requirements, getting sim cards and Bahamas phone numbers to stay connected.  

After passing through the entry channel hewn in the rock
we turned south, heading across the thin water of the bank.  We are seeking the shallow water passage to the islands that form the central section of the Berry Islands.  We inquired with aquaintances who have been in the Berry Islands for months about the viability of the route, but they had never tried it.  They followed us on AIS and we chatted several times over the radio as we carefully navigated between shoals.  Our path was mosly in 5 and 6 feet of water, but there were three short sections with but inches under our rudders. 

Around noon we stopped and put the anchor down for lunch.  Its so isolated here that we didn't have to look for a place that would be out of the way, we just...stopped.  

While on the shallow banks we saw many star fish and a large shark.  Later a pod of dolphins escorted us.
Arriving in this center cluster of islands it becomes a matter of just picking one of any of the nice anchorages.  So we dropped hook at Devils Cay.

A  swim in the warm clear water confirmed the anchor was well set 10 feet below and got us refreshed.

Brent made popcorn and margaritas and we sat on the roof to watch the world go by.  We got quite a show:  first a big school of large yellow tail jack fish swam by, then a shark that was probably 10 feet long.  Next a big sea turtle surfaced not far from the boat.  All these passed by several times, busy with their sunset hunting activity. This is a beautiful place.
P.S. On Grand Harbor Cay Marina:  there are manatees that visit near the first slips everyday. Unfortunately we were never in the right place right time to see them.
Also, in the 1960's GHC was the hangout of the Rat Pack- Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Dean Martin, etc.  There are ruins of the once lavish resort they hung out at just a little up the hill from the marina.

Comments

Jane said…
WOW- that is all I can say. The pictures and descriptions are so vivid and I love that you got your dolphin escort! More of the same for those of us who will only ever be able to visit through your eyes.
March 24, 2021 at 4:46 PM
Lynn and Ed said…
That looks so idyllic. Love sharing the virtual journey with you.
March 25, 2021 at 8:39 AM
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