Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park

Another friend of Gail's & Jack flew in on Thursday. Paul has been to visit them a number of times and loves Staniel Cay. Paul happened to have a memory card reader with him so we were able to offload some of the underwater photos.

On Thursday night, Jack made his famous grilled lobster tails. He spent the day preparing a bread crumb dressing to go on top of the tails. He also baked a chocolate cake. It was wonderful, we had a great feast.

Friday was the day to take the boat North to the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park. It's a Bahamas' National Park. As the name suggests, there are some trails around the islands and reefs to dive on. So the five of us loaded into the boat for ride North. Along the way we passed some islands that are uninhabited and some that are owned by celebrities. Those ones are very developed.

We beached the boat on a nice sandy beach for lunch. Then went around the other side of the island to the park headquarters. Gail got some T-shirts and post cards, Paul took pictures.

The first snorkeling spot was a nice little reef on a point. Lots of fish but the best part of that stop had nothing to do with the fish. We were anchored in 5 feet of water. Dan was pulling in the anchor from the side of the boat. He thought the anchor was free of the bottom so he leaned over the side to keep the chain and anchor off the side of the boat. Well the anchor was NOT free of the bottom yet. In fact it was still very firm.  So as he pulled, thinking there would be no resistance, he got pulled forward. Since he was already leaning over the side, it didn't take much for him to lose his balance. He then made a slow motion roll right out of the boat! No harm done but it provided plenty of laughs for all!

The second snorkeling spot was near the park headquarters. There were moorings to use there so no anchoring mishaps. The water there was about 15 feet deep and there were a number of reefs to see. The park is a 'no take' zone. No fishing, no taking conch or lobster. So there were a few lobsters near this reef that were huge. They live a nice sheltered life. That was a nice swim.

Here are some photos.

Pete, Jack and Gail

Gail and Pete

Dan

Yesterday we left Staniel Cay. We went 50 miles Southeast to Georgetown for some gas then another 50 miles to the Northeast to Cat Island. We landed at New Bight airport and are staying at the Greenwood Beach Resort.

We are still trying to get a fishing charter but it has been windy most of the 3 weeks we've been in the Bahamas. Today is once again too windy. The fishing charter guy is here talking to us about where we can fish when the wind eases up.

Big thanks to Gail & Jack for putting us up and showing us all around Staniel Cay. We had a great week with you!