Big Major Spot, Staniel Cay, Black Point (on Great Guana Cay)

January 25, 2020 - January 29, 2020 

Saturday was a busy day.  We took the dinghy into Staniel Cay to pick up our filled propane tank, grocery shop, liquor shop, and have lunch at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club Bar.  The grocery stores were not well stocked with perishable goods as the mail boat was not due until next Wednesday so we couldn’t buy any bread.  I purchased some yeast and if I need to I’ll bake some bread. Fun! after stowing our purchase on the boat we donned our bathing suits and waited until just before low tide to head out to Thunderball Grotto for some snorkeling. We went around to the east side of the large rock to find the entrance to the grotto. Bob decided to stay with the dinghy and I was a little scared to duck under the rock wall and enter the grotto by myself, but I did it and was glad I did.  The sun was not high in the sky (it was 3:00 pm) but it was thrilling to swim into the cave and see the beams of light coming down from above.  There were lots of sergeant majors and other colorful fish to watch.  I exited the grotto on the west side. but because of the current I had some trouble getting back in.  Since the grotto was filling up with other snorkelers I swam across the cave and exited on the east.  We then took the dinghy around to the west side and I continued to snorkel until I came face to face with a barracuda,  But I did get to observe a sea turtle, parrot fish, blue tangs, and other colorful fish.  What a great day.

Sorry my GoPro photos weren’t great. 

I’ve been contemplating why the Bahamas are so appealing to us.  One reason is that the out islands are so different from the “real” world in the northeast.  The settlements do not have manicured lawns, but prolific indigenous flowers, trees and bushes that thrive in this climate.  The weather, although usually sunny with a cool breeze (71-79 temperature range) can get threatening when the winds become strong and blow from the west.  But mostly the weather is perfect.  The water is unbelievably beautiful and clear which makes for great snorkeling and swimming.  The restaurants are all open air and relaxed (no tie required).  Tooling around in the dinghy is a fun way to get where we want to go.  Each island and cay has a unique personality and reasons for visiting.  Once we get away from the islands with resorts we get a truly authentic experience. I just love it here!

I have noticed that sunsets at anchorage
have 360 degrees of beauty.  The clouds reflect
the colors all the way around.

We left our anchorage in Big Major Spot (or the Bay of Pigs) around 9:00 am and were anchored near the settlement of Black Point on Great Guana Cay before 11:00 am.  It was just a nine mile trip and I was on coral head watch the whole way.  Lunch was pizza at DeShamons Restaurant.  The settlement is small, but with some important features.  One is a great laundry mat which we used on Monday morning. Not only does the laundry mat provide laundry facilities but, also, hair cuts, showers, a dinghy dock, golf cart rentals, a lovely gazebo with a fabulous view, and a convenience store. 

I have to say that the view from the
Rockside Laundry Mat is spectacular.

One morning we rented a golf cart to explore beyond walking distance.  We visited the beaches on the ocean side of the island. 

Bob was the chauffeur for our trip around the settlement.

I took this picture from the road leading to the beach.

These cottages can be rented and overlook
the harbour on the Exuma Bank.

This vehicle was abandoned on the side of the road.
Apparently it is just as difficult to dispose of
unwanted items as it is to import goods.

There are two beaches on the ocean side
of the cay near the settlement.
This one unfortunately had some trash scattered about.

The island is made of limestone with only
enough topsoil to grow these hardy plants.

Rocks are just below the water's surface on this beach.

Waves crashing into shore sculpt the limestone.

We also discovered a great place for lunch although half the menu items were not available because it was Tuesday and the mail boat with supplies comes on Wednesday.  See what I mean by authentic.

Here's the view from our table at
 the Emerald Sunset View Restaurant.

While we were waiting for our lunch
two rays (pictured here), two nurse sharks,
and two barracudas swam into view.

On Wednesday we left Black Point and headed south once more.  We passed some beautiful spots on Great Guana Cay that we hope to hit on our way back up the Exuma chain of islands.

We anchored just west of the cut we will pass through to the ocean side in the morning on our way to Georgetown on Great Exuma.  When I dove on the anchor I had trouble reaching it because I was swimming against a strong current.  We had to anchor a second time to get the anchor dug into the sand deeply enough.

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