SABA on the way to Green Turtle Cay

AHOY!

After a pleasant stay at the Old Bahama Bay Marina on the West End including a savory dinner at the resort restaurant, we set off to cross the Little Bahama Bank. The weather and sea were perfect for an interim stop in Mangrove Cay, 35 miles to the northeast about midway to the far reaches of the Northern Cays. We set the anchor down to rest for the evening and enjoy the sunset with only one catamaran in sight of this uninhabited low lying island.

After a restful night we set off again to make landfall ih the Northern Cays. One that we had read about in cruising guides for its pristine beauty, sand bars and tidal pools is Double Breasted Cays. The entry to the anchorage was serpentine but worth the idyllic setting. We spend the late afternoon with a swim to the sand bar and some peaceful rest in the protection of the low lying barrier islands. We had some visitors from “Let It Be” a 42 foot Catamaran. Frank and Mary Grace were cordial, we had much in common and plan to meet up with us in Annapolis at the Boat Show in October.

 

The next morning while waiting for a rising tide in order to navigate our exit I took time for another swim. Armed with a sponge SABA got some needed attention as I scrubbed the waterline before an early lunch and hauling anchor to head for our next destination.

 

Making our way toward Green Turtle Cay we had two overnight stops, one at Allans-Pensacola Cay and another at Powell Cay. As we traveled south the appearance of the water increased in clarity and beauty and we were again treated to near perfect weather with 5 to 12 knots of wind, sunny skies and 1 to 2 foot seas. The leg to Powell Cay which is  the across the Sound from Coopers Town on Little Abaco Island was the best yet.

 

 

We were at full sail with only the sound of a gentle steady wind in our ears, the muffled fluttering of the flag and the dappling of the crystalline blue wavelets lapping at our hull. No drone of a diesel engine to interfere with a perfect day. As we neared the fourth uninhabited island in as many days we thought we may venture into a marina. Actually, we needed to top up water and enjoy a bit of air conditioning while being plugged in.

 

 

Green Turtle Cay has a population of about 450 and a variety of anchorages and marinas. We chose the Green Turtle Marina in White Sound. Due to the fact that there is a regatta scheduled we can only stay one night so we made the best of it. We enjoyed lunch and dinner at the Club and in between toured the island in a rented Golf Cart. Due to road conditions this was the roughest part of our journey, but it was great to tour the island and learn of its history.

 

New Plymouth in the southern part of Green Turtle Cay was established in the late 1700s by English Loyalists avoiding the turmoil in the States. The locals are very proud of their heritage and boast of the fact that they are 7th or 8th generation residents. We had a libation at the Wrecking Tree and picked up some needed provisions like island baked goods and vegetables at Sid’s Grocery.

 

On the few miles returning to the marina, Robin decided on an Atlantic Ocean break from the pitted and gulley washed roadway.

We are now preparing to leave the slip and travel to Treasure Cay Marina on Great Abaco Island. There we will take some time off from the water and check out the local activities.

 

See you soon Mates!

Captain Bobby and the Admiral