Sailing VATA: Exumas, The Bahamas

We crossed the Exuma Sound and made it to an anchorage outside of Highbourne Cay. This was our first taste of the Exumas, and there was a marked difference from Bahamas’ other island groups. First, it was very shallow turquoise water and white sand and dry little limestone islands that don’t support a lot of vegetation. Secondly, and because of the beauty and close proximity to Florida, they are also very popular, and the most obvious difference was the higher number of boats visiting the area. It was actually crowded. The Highbourne Cay Marina was a very nice, well maintained place, although their store was expensive. The cheap prices of the Maxwell in Marsh Harbour were now far behind us.

The main highway and church near the government dock at Staniel Cay, Exumas

Bar clock in Staniel Cay Yacht Club. No more needs to be said.

We hopped down the Exumas, staying in one beautiful anchorage after the other, careful to heed the strong tidal currents in the passes between the shallow Exuma Bank and the Deep Exuma Sound! These islands, their white sand beaches, and clear turquoise waters are perfect calendar page material, and we loved it! It was here that I started hunting for fresh coconuts, and accessing their sweet milk and meat with my machete.

Anchored near the northern tip of Lee Stocking Island in crystal clear water!

Sand bars visible in 15' of water at Lee Stocking Island

We heard that Georgetown, on Great Exuma Island is a good town for supplies, has a nice harbour, and therefore supports a huge fleet of “snowbirds” from around the world. These boaters come back here year after year, and there is a great cruiser’s net to get help, and increase awareness of new arrivals, departures, activities, etc run by "Bill" on his ketch "Karisma". And it is here, in Georgetown’s Elizabeth Harbour, that we work on the boat, go exploring in town and on nearby islands, buy groceries, and wait for a weather window to sail to Jamaica.