Feb 9-10, 2023 Shroud Cay to Warderwick Wells

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It was a 6 hour sail from Shroud Cay to Cambridge Cay, into a stiff wind and choppy current to take us there.  After 4 hours of bashing & bouncing over the waves, we decided to stop at one of the other inviting looking islands we were passing. We had never been to Warderick Wells, and there were open moorings, so we pulled in and were happy to be in a place we could hang out & explore.  

It's a unique place: a circle of small islands  with an "O" shaped channel in the center ( where the mooring balls are), and lots of very shallow sandy areas surrounding it.  We could almost jump off the back of the boat and walk around without using a dinghy to reach the shallows- we saw folks doing just that! The Exumas Land and Sea National Park has its headquarters here.  There is a small coral garden, nurtured for visitors to enjoy an easy snorkel.  At tidal change the current rips through the mooring field.

We visited the beach at the visitors center, where Sam greeted everyone, including the folks with their *large* French Mastiff named Sherman. The dogs chased tennis balls thrown into the water by various people who wanted in on the game because they missed their dogs left at home while they were on vacation.

One of the reasons we chose Warderick Wells was for the hiking trails. Unfortunately dogs are not allowed on the trails to protect the native nesting birds. Brent hiked solo up to Boo-Boo Hill. It was a good thing Sam didn't go because a good part of the trail was sharp, ragged stone; not good for bare dog feet.


On the way up there was a stop at a place where the waves crashing onto the rock make spectacular displays.  


In the other direction is a grand view of the mooring field islands.  Second Star was placed on a shallow draft mooring immediately adjacent to the coral garden. 


At the top of the hill Brent was surprised go find a lot of people standing around. Turns out you can get cell phone reception up there!  He took advantage and became one of the people standing around making calls.

There are curiosities on the beach near the visitors center: the skeleton of a 52ft sperm whale that beached & died in 1995 after ingesting plastic bags floating in the ocean.

A little art display outside one of the staff housing units.  Made me laugh.

Comments

Lynn and Ed said…
So glad you finally got to experience Warderick Wells.
February 17, 2023 at 8:11 AM
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