With the blow over we weighed anchor and had a sweet sail north to Fowl Cay, just outside the souther border of the Exuma Land & Sea Park. Last time we came to this area we took a mooring inside the park, but we decided to give Fowl Cay a try as the forecast winds looked like they would work well for that spot and it would put us in close reach of a few of our favorite sites--Rocky Dundas, Rachel's Bubblebath, and Tom's Elkhorn Garden. We joined three other boats in the anchorage, set the hook, and had a quick lunch.
We started with a trip to Rocky Dundas. The kids (and adults) LOVE these caves--they are ranked above Thunderball Grotto for us--and while the tide was rising and the surge was a little strong, we managed to get in just fine. We hit the large, north cave first. The surge was really making a washing-machine effect inside the cave and we didn't stick around too long. We left, snorkeled a bit on the coral heads outside the caves, but the current was strong so we headed for the southern cave, which is actually our favorite. The entrance to this cave is smaller and there is less "in water" area, but you can clamber up onto a shelf and walk and climb all over inside. Each time we've gone conditions have been a little different, but there is always some sort of timing a wave involved in getting in and getting up on the ledge! We spent about a half hour in there climbing and watching the waves. Somehow our visit was right between two other groups and we had the caves all to ourselves.
While the kids wrapped up school on the boat, the adults hunted for conch (got nothing) and snorkeled the reef at the NW corner of Fowl Cay. As the afternoon wore on our neighbors all left and we were alone in the anchorage. With high tide approaching in last afternoon, we headed for Rachel's Bubblebath on the north end of Compass Cay. This site is "best" at mid-to-high tide with east winds. We didn't have much wind, so we went closer to high tide--it's the water rushing over the rocks that creates the effervescent bubbles. We didn't have perfect conditions, but we still enjoyed our bath!
While we had initially planned to go to the Elkhorn Garden the next day at slack tide, a rolly anchorage and friends arriving in Staniel Cay caused us to abandon that plan. Is it a great snorkeling spot? Yes. Are boat friends the best? YES! And so we left.
Shortly after dropping the hook at Big Major Cay the kids reconnected with their friends on Kolohe. Then to my delight, I FINALLY got to meet the crew of Arethusa in person after months of chatting online and cruising the east coast near each other! Our three crews met up at the beach so everyone could meet and we chatted until the sun set. I really enjoy meeting other cruising families and hearing their stories and seeing their kids experience this life, too. I think we are all happy to share more anchorages with these boats in the future!
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