Exumas Part 4

After leaving Staniel Cay we moved back north to Warderick Wells where we met up with our friends on Free@Last. We moved around to the southern anchorage at Warderick Wells, which was a former pirate lair, a great sheltered and hidden little cove with small beaches and good snorkeling. After a couple of days we moved south a few miles to Belle Island. During the trip down we had three dolphins playing in our bow wake, racing the boat, jumping out of the water and generally frolicking along as we sailed on a close reach at 7 knots, great fun. Rae Ann noted that even though it was a bit rough nobody noticed because we watched the dolphins for nearly the entire trip.

At Belle Island we anchored off the west coast and used it as a base to explore the many snorkeling sites. The best being the Sea Aquarium off the north coast of O'Briens Cay, which had all kinds of fish, from sleeping nurse sharks, cow fish, lion fish and great coral. Everyone from both boats was able to get in the water, as current was negligible and winds were light.

We anchored about 500 yards apart in Belle Island. Isabelle decided that she wanted to swim to Jack's boat (Jack is a three year old boy on Free@Last). So we got in the water, and with a helpful current, Isabelle swam unaided all the way to Jack's boat and was very proud of herself.

Jake is now snorkeling very well and likes it tremendously. It is now our only way of getting through to him - e.g. misbehave he looses snorkeling privileges for the day. Jake went our with myself and the crew from Solange IV for a spear fishing expedition. We went to some rocks that were pretty exposed so swell, wind and current and were in the water for about 45 minutes. Jake stayed in for about 30 minutes of it, swam around staying close - and in his words spotting the fish we should spear - including a fairly large barracuda. Needless to say I did not follow his advice.

----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com