Anchoring on the Bank to Morgan's Bluff

We spent two nights anchoring on the bank after leaving Bimini. One of these was spent near a reef where we enjoyed some snorkeling. Michael spotted some Lionfish wic have begun making an appearance in te Bahamas.

Michael, Justin and Josie share a hot water shower once back on deck.

The next morning we pulled into Morgan's Bluff on Andros nd anchored in the harbor there. We met two other boats that were spending a couple of months anchored there for the diving and fishing on the reefs.

We enjoyed a couple of days swimming and taking short hikes, snorkeling and kayaking before the wind came around from the north west in near gale force. Of course the northwest is the one direction from which this harbor is not protected!!About 4:00 am our anchor began dragging. We were able to reset fairly quickly, but were not comfortable going back to sleep under such strong winds. We spent all that day taking turns on anchor watch while bouncing in te waves. We watched the trimaran, Starship, go into the small inner harbor around midday. Michael didn't think there would be enouh room for us to follow so we stayed put. As evening approached Cordonazo, a 65' ketch started there engine and we knew they were planning on moving. We raised both them and Starship on the radio. Cordonazo was going to tie up to the fuel dock and Starship said there would be room for us to come in also. We followed Cordonazo after they were secured and tied up to their boat just in time to watch the sunset.

The calm inside the little harbor after bouncing around in the wind and the waves was like night and day with the entance throug the jetties as the sunrise.

We look so tiny next to Cordonazo.

First sunrise after clearing into the Bahamas

After a month long wait for a weather window, we finally made it across to the Bahamas. Of course the weather was not precisely as predicted, being more east-northeast instead of south, but at least it wasn't real strong winds and the seas crossing the gulf stream weren't too bad. Of course wind on the nose made for a slow crossing. We did not get to the Bahama bank before dark so we anchored on the bank north of Bimini and waited until the next morning to go into North Bimini and clear customs.

We made one of our rare marina stays in Bimini and enjoyed the facilities there as well as the company of other cruises. They were all waiting for a window back to the States!

While in Bimini we visited the shark research facility in South Bimini. We got a close up look at some lemon sharks and nurse sharks. We also got the opportunity to play with a Bimini boa constrictor living at the facility.