Bimini to Honeymoon Harbor

Date: Tue, Jan 14, 2020                               

Arrival Time: 1300 ET                      

Location:  Gun Cay (Honeymoon Harbor), Bahamas

Weather:  70’s  

Sea State:  3 foot chop

Destination Toward Nassau

Engine Hours:  1434                                                                        

Crew:  Ruth and Greg    

Mileage Log:  1136

Comments:  First and foremost, happy birthday to our moms, Hazel (today) and Granny Rea (tomorrow).  We spoke with both moms this morning for Hazel’s birthday and mom’s weekly Tuesday phone call.  I’ll try to call Granny Rea again tomorrow, for her birthday, but since we’ll be on the move, Happy Birthday mom if I don’t reach you.

Gun Cay Light

Yesterday, we did the normal (Bimini) town run that included conch salad, laundry,  coconut bread, then spent the evening aboard Eyra, Menno and Valerie's boat, where we were served pizza.  I was a little surprised when Menno suggested we shove off at 1000 today (Tuesday) for Honeymoon Harbor, to stage our passage of the bank, toward Nassau, the following day.  My plan had been to depart on Wednesday morning as the winds were forecast to calm some overnight on Tuesday.

Menno and Val's Eyra

At 1000 this morning, we pulled up anchor and headed south down the Bimini Channel, dodging one seaplane, through the South Bimini anchorage, where we spent our first night in the Bahamas, followed the Nixon Harbor route, past the Sapona wreck, to Honeymoon Harbor anchorage.  I heard mixed reviews about the anchorage, some saying it was washed out by Hurricane Dorian and others saying it is the picture perfect anchorage you read about.  It took us almost 3 hours to travel the short 12 miles or so as we slowed for possible shoaling and the pass between Gun Cay and Cat Cay, then back north on the west bank toward Honeymoon Harbor. Though I knew the location of the harbor, I was still a little surprised when Menno turned east between two islands into it.  The harbor is the place you read about, the picture you see of the Bahamas.  The anchorage is tight but with good holding.  The depth is about 8 feet at low tide.  It suddenly made sense why Menno and Val wanted to leave early even though there was an incoming tide as we departed. We were the first boats in Honeymoon and got the best spots - smart move on their part.  It’s a pleasure cruising with them and a learning experience.  Five other sailboats, and one power boat, pulled in after us.  We launched the paddle board and went to shore.  We saw several nurse sharks and sting rays that seemed tame.  In fact, if you stay still, the rays approach and rub their wings on your legs.  One of the sharks we estimated to be about 7 feet.  There is a small dock on the south side of the island  that I was told is an excursion site for a cruise ship.  They apparently feed the sharks and sting rays; thus, the reason they are so tame. 

The Natural

We spent time snorkeling and have now settled in for the evening.

Tomorrow we hope to make 50 or 60 miles then anchor on the Bahamas Banks for the night.  With an early shove off on Thursday we should easily reach Nassau before dark.