The Berry Islands
After a lovely stay in
both North and South Bimini, we had a great weather window allowing us to head
east to the Berry Islands, a chain of islands and cays lying on the eastern
side of the Great Bahamas Bank. The cays are uninhabited for the
most part. Some are privately owned. The Berry's are clearly off
the well-traveled path and are not for those seeking crowds or organized
activities. For those seeking unadulterated isolation, this is paradise.
We left South Bimini at
6:50 AM on Sunday with winds out of the south east. After a six mile run north we
rounded the light at Moselle Bank and assumed a 103 degree course through the
Great Bahamas Bank to Great Harbor Cay. We averaged over 7.5 knots for the
entire 12 hour sail. It was a great sail with 15-20 knot winds and
moderate seas on the beam. In other words we flew (by sailing standards). Unfortunately,
with the sun setting at 5:30 PM, we were not able to enter the harbor in
daylight. The entry to the harbor has two stonewalls about 30 feet apart.
It was somewhat intimidating to enter at night but all went well with the
support of Tara, Chad, and Kay. Once in, we wound through a narrow
channel to a well-protected Marina. After a sampling of the Conch
fritters and other treats, it was time to call it a day.
 |
| Great Harbor Beach |
We were pleased to be able
to move east as easily as we have. With the winds shifting to the east
and strengthening as January approaches, we will continue to jump in that
direction when the weather permits. This is the challenge of going
through the Bahamas as a route to the lower Caribbean. It is also why so
many sailers opt for the longer passages from the Carolinas or north to Bermuda
or directly to the USVIs. That will be for another trip and another time.
 |
| Shark by the Boat |
For now, we feel we are in
paradise and enjoying our visit with Tara and Chad. Unfortunately, they
will be returning to Vermont at the end of the week. This will mean we
have to leave the Berry's and sail to Nassau so that they can ferry back to Florida.
From Nassau we will again look east and head for the Exumas. We
hope to spend a good deal of time there before the longer passage to Porto
Rico.
Thanks for following....
After a lovely stay in
both North and South Bimini, we had a great weather window allowing us to head
east to the Berry Islands, a chain of islands and cays lying on the eastern
side of the Great Bahamas Bank. The cays are uninhabited for the
most part. Some are privately owned. The Berry's are clearly off
the well-traveled path and are not for those seeking crowds or organized
activities. For those seeking unadulterated isolation, this is paradise.
We left South Bimini at
6:50 AM on Sunday with winds out of the south east. After a six mile run north we
rounded the light at Moselle Bank and assumed a 103 degree course through the
Great Bahamas Bank to Great Harbor Cay. We averaged over 7.5 knots for the
entire 12 hour sail. It was a great sail with 15-20 knot winds and
moderate seas on the beam. In other words we flew (by sailing standards). Unfortunately,
with the sun setting at 5:30 PM, we were not able to enter the harbor in
daylight. The entry to the harbor has two stonewalls about 30 feet apart.
It was somewhat intimidating to enter at night but all went well with the
support of Tara, Chad, and Kay. Once in, we wound through a narrow
channel to a well-protected Marina. After a sampling of the Conch
fritters and other treats, it was time to call it a day.
We were pleased to be able
to move east as easily as we have. With the winds shifting to the east
and strengthening as January approaches, we will continue to jump in that
direction when the weather permits. This is the challenge of going
through the Bahamas as a route to the lower Caribbean. It is also why so
many sailers opt for the longer passages from the Carolinas or north to Bermuda
or directly to the USVIs. That will be for another trip and another time.
For now, we feel we are in
paradise and enjoying our visit with Tara and Chad. Unfortunately, they
will be returning to Vermont at the end of the week. This will mean we
have to leave the Berry's and sail to Nassau so that they can ferry back to Florida.
From Nassau we will again look east and head for the Exumas. We
hope to spend a good deal of time there before the longer passage to Porto
Rico. 
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