After our visitors left us on March 11, we decided it was time to start heading north. We left George Town very quickly – the weather was calm on Tuesday, March 12 and winds from the wrong direction were heading our way, so at 1pm we motored to Cat Island. We arrived at almost 11pm so we anchored away from the main anchorage (just to be safe) and moved closer in the morning.
We anchored at New Bight and it was very interesting. The little town had the best grocery store we’ve seen so far in the south Bahamas and the Island boasts the highest point in the Bahamas of 206 ft above sea level. It also has an interesting heritage site – Father Jerome’s Hermitage. Father Jerome was an Anglican missionary (who converted to Roman Catholic) who came to the Bahamas to rebuild churches after a hurricane in 1908. He built this hermitage as his home where he lived to the age of 80.
Our next Island stop was Little San Salvador which is a private island owned by Holland Cruise Lines. One cruise ship was anchored at the island when we arrived but left around 4pm. This was a good stopping point between Cat Island and Eleuthera but it was a rolly anchorage – not a lot of fun when you’re trying to sleep.
The next morning (March 17) we jumped to Rock Sound Harbour, Eleuthera and we’ve been here almost a week. The winds have not been cooperating so we’ve just stayed in the very well protected anchorage.
We’ve had a bit of excitement here. First of all, it’s a relatively small anchorage due to the water depth and in the middle of it is the main shipping route for the supply boats. We anchored just north of the government dock (outside of the shipping route) but a few other boats who arrived after us, anchored in the route. That was a bad idea! The supply ship arrived at 3am (yes 3am) – how do I know the time you might ask – well it’s because the captain of the supply boat blew his extremely loud horns at 3am and started yelling at the 3 boats in his way. It was absolutely terrifying!! The whole anchorage and town was awakened by the noice and those poor boats got out of the way as quickly as their confused, shocked brains would let them! It was quite the talk the next day!
We also rented a car and toured most of the island. We visited some of the little towns and had a really nice lunch in Alice Town (Hatchet Bay). We went on a very nice nature walk at the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve and found an old USA navy base that is basically looks like a concrete parking lot now. All in all it was a fun day and it was nice to see the island.
We are hoping to continue north this weekend – heading to Spanish Wells. Our journey back to Florida will take us to the Abacos which we haven’t visited yet. The rough plan is to be back in Florida – near Jacksonville, by the end of April. Here’s hoping the weather cooperates with our plan!
Crimson Kathryn and her crew 