Black Point Settlement and Bell Island

Inter-island Regatta Racer

 We pulled up anchor at high tide on Tuesday morning after my weekly phone call to mom.  By 0800 we were cruising north through the Rudder Cut Cay channel.  Sandbox contacted us a few minutes later as we passed wishing us safe travels followed by Val on Eyra.  The channel depth readings showed 4.5 feet at low mean tide but because it was high tide we never saw less than 8 feet.  We passed Musha Cay, where David Copperfield has his upscale $57,000/night cottages.  Oh, the minimum stay is also 5 nights.  I wonder if he takes credit cards?  Once we cleared the shallow Visual Piloting Rules routes (VPR) we were on the Exuma Bank and deployed a full assembly of sails.  The wind was light, approximately 8 – 12 knots, on a beam reach to broad reach.  Our speed during the 16-mile journey was usually 4 – 5 knots.  Though slow, this was my favorite sail we have had the entire trip.  I walked around the boat a couple times inspecting the rig and just enjoying the beauty of The Bahamas.  The forward deck was my favorite hangout as you can always feel the power of the sails pulling the boat through the waves.   I told Ruth a couple times, “if it was always like this,” and she finished it as she always does “I’d sail around the world!”  Our destination today was to Black Point Settlement though we discussed continuing north a couple times.

Water supply spigot and payment box

We pulled in to Black Point before noon and dropped the anchor between the laundromat dock and water supply landing.  Before leaving the boat we noticed a Bahamian Defense Force boat had pulled into a nearby dock and the local police car was making rounds on the main road.  We dinked over to a nearby boat to get the gist of what was going on and what it’s like in town; but, Ruthy and Rich on Equinox had just arrived and didn’t know either.  After visiting with them, we dinked to the beach near the water supply.  We walked down the main road seeing the police car, with flashing lights, a few times but they didn’t stop us.  We made our way to Adderley’s Grocery and the lady outside unlocked the door and let us in.  We bought a few minor items and gained information that this island is very much participating in the quarantine.  We made our way back to the dink, filled two jerry cans with water, then dinked back to Pura Vida to enjoy a nice evening. 

Bell Island Anchorage

On Wednesday we washed clothes at the laundromat, took a few pictures of town, chased a couple eagle rays around (see video below) then headed back to PV.  Near 1300 we pulled up anchor and set our heading north toward Bell Island.  The 20 N/M sail was again one of the best we’ve experienced in The Bahamas.  We used the diesel sipper only to get out of and in to harbor, once again.  Art would have been proud.  We are really trying to conserve fuel.  The winds were light but we rode a broad reach all the way to the Bell Island channel.  The island is home of one of the most beautiful snorkeling sites in the world.  We plan to visit the Sea Aquarium and  Rocky Dundas tomorrow, a couple of nearby snorkeling sights.