Day 15 Morning at Manjack Cay and on to Green Turtle Cay. April 6. Miles 6.4 Total Miles. 431.7

Day 15

Another beautiful sunny day, a little less breezy - so we launched the dinghy to explore Manjack and Crab Cay.

We landed on Crab Cay and as it was low tide, we could walk all around the point to view the pass between Crab and Manjack Cays and look for green sea turtles.

As we walked along the coral rock beach, we saw 2 juvenile green turtles and Bill found a well worn conch and a few sea biscuits.

After exploring the beach we got back in the dinghy and entered the shallow creek famous as a green turtle sanctuary. We floated around and saw at least 8 juveniles(shells about 1-2 feet) and one large green turtle ( 3-4 feet). Adult green turtles can live up to 80 years and weigh up to 300-350 pounds. Unfortunately, turtles are very camera shy, so I did not get a good picture!

Next we took a dinghy ride to Coco Plum Beach, a beautiful sandy crescent of beach, but the winds were picking up so we did not land, instead headed back to Crustacean. Was fun exploring!

After a quick lunch, Carol and Gary on Juggernaut came into the anchorage. We hailed them to share our exploring adventures.

We then readied the boat to leave the anchorage and headed toward Green Turtle Cay where we will stay for a few days to wait out a northern front that is passing through.

As we left, the waters were a magnificent turquoise. the first photo shows the anchorage and the second shows the rugged limestone cliff on the north side of Crab Cay.

Turning south, we can see Green Turtle Cay as it is only 4 miles away! Green Turtle Cay is a small island with a population of 450 people. The cay is named for the green sea turtle which frequented these waters. The island supports the fishing and boating industries, with marinas, restaurants and marine supplies.

On the island's southern end is the major settlement of New Plymouth which was founded in 1786 by British Loyalist fleeing America after the Revolutionary War.

As we got close to Green Turtle Cay, we could see large homes along the shoreline and bluffs.

Halfway down the island we pass the waterfront of New Plymouth and entered Black Sound to moor for the night.

We passed several anchored boats and then entered the mooring field and harbor. Bill could not resist taking a picture of this boat and its rubber duckies.

To our surprise, we learned that the dock we were to moor to was under repair so we had to quickly shift gears and lines to accommodate picking up a mooring ball. The dock should be repaired tomorrow so we can move to our rightful spot.

Side trip to the Bahamas- Preparations

As we prepare for our Bahamian Adventure, we are making lists upon lists of things to do and provisions to buy for our upcoming trip to the Bahamas. Bill has spent much time readying the boat for the cruise, checking engines, batteries and all the systems on the boat - electrical, plumbing, navigation, refrigeration and air conditioning. Sure kept Bill busy!!! We took the boat out to check all the systems and to get fuel. We had to re-remember all the navigation and auto pilot workings and surprisingly we did remember!! We have spent the last two days loading the boat with provisions- water, food, tools, clothes, toiletries and cleaning supplies, and our pantry and cabinets are full. We are sitting a bit heavier in the water now that we are fully loaded. Also Bill has finally gotten his TO DO list down to the few remaining items so he sees the light at the end of the tunnel!! We have researched the charts and guide books and have a tentative pla...

On to Allan's-Pensacola Cay. Day 12. April 3. Mile 35.2. Total mile

Day 12 We left our anchorage at sunrise to head out of Great Sale Cay Harbor. Turning west and then north, we will cruise around Great Sale Cay toward Abaco's barrier islands, eventually reaching the eastern edge of the Little Bahama Bank today. As we turn Northeast, we get some spray. Crustacean is quite salty now! Winds are out of the east 10-15 knots with waves at one foot. We cruise past Little Sale Cay we see a steady stream of sailboats going both east and west. I counted 15 total. Nice wind for sailing. Halfway through our trip, you begin to see the outer barrier islands on the horizon to the north. Five miles later you can see Little Abaco Island to our south. Here is a chart of the area we traveled from Great Sale to Allan's-Pensacola Cay today. The further we travel east, the Little Bahama Bank narrows, The winds pick up and seas run 1-2 feet. Crustacean got even saltier! As we approached Allan's-Pensacola the wind and sea...

Day 24-25 April 15-16 On to Hopetown and Lay day in Hopetown. Miles 12.6. Total 460.6

Day 24 We had a change of plans. Our friends who we met cruising the Loop, Trisha and Mike, are traveling north through the Bahamas and are close, so we will join then in Hope Town. We will then back track a bit to visit Man-o-War Cay and Marsh Harbor after visiting with them. It is a bright sunny day with light winds as we weigh anchor to leave Great Guana. There is lots of freight and commercial traffic today- tugs and barges, large freighters and flat bed delivery boats. It takes all these to handle the shipping needs and construction on the islands. We trip today took along the north east side of Great Guana and then past Scotland Cay, which is all privately owned. Next we passed Fowl Cay which is a nature preserve known for its diving. Following Fowl Cay is Man-o-War Channel with its deep water access to the Atlantic and Man-o-War Cay, known for its ship building and maintenance. Sorry, pictures of the passes and islands did not turn out too well...

Crustacean Travels

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