365 islands
ranging from 13 to 135 miles southeast of Nassau.
We arrived in Allens Cay on 26th February
along with Chill and Melissa Sue and also met up with Breathless in Allens
Cay.
The Allens Cay group includes Allens
Cay, Leaf Cay and Southwest Allens Cay. Leaf Cay and Southwest Allens Cay
are the main home of the indigenous iguanas a species of iguana found only
in The Bahamas. As you approach the beach of Leaf Cay, there may be up to 50
or 60 iguanas to meet you. Quite a sight.
Allens Cay is a very attractive
introduction to the Exumas and has some great snorkelling and dive sites.
However, the currents in the anchorage are very strong and when tide and
wind conflict it can be very unpleasant. We enjoyed our four days there, but
were glad to move further south on 2nd March. Dream On and
Breathless sailed down to Normans Island, Chill sailed on to the Exuma Park
at Warderick Wells Cay. Our journey of 15 miles to Normans Cay was the
nicest sail so far. The sea was fairly calm, the wind cooperated and it was
warm. But no fish!
Normans Cay is famous for the drug
baron Carlos Lehder who bought most of the island by coercion in the 70’s
and set up a hub centre for drug traffic to the US. After a raid by DEA
special forces his facilities were evacuated but still stand bearing the
scars of a shoot out. There are the disintegrating remains of a DC4 or DC6
aircraft that did not make the airstrip for reasons unknown, sitting in 10
feet of water in the harbour, also a relic of those activities.
None of that southern area of the
island has been seriously redeveloped, although there are rumours this may
happen soon. The airstrip is functioning, though not in good condition and
you have to walk across this to get to the very homely MacDuffs Grill and
Bar, overlooking the western shore of the island. The main conversation
stopper in the bar is a drink blender run from a single cylinder gasoline
powered leaf blower motor. This is started at the back of the bar like an
outboard engine, half choke and pull the starter cord! Nikita, Christina Joy
and Melissa Sue arrived at Normans on the second day.
On 3rd March, we sailed
the 12 miles from Normans Cay to The Exumas Land and Sea Park at Warderick
Wells Cay having been able to secure a mooring in advance.
Breathless, Nikita and Christina Joy
remained at Normans Cay. Melissa Sue went directly from Normans Cay to
Staniel Cay and on to Georgetown, so we will probably meet up with Larry
from Melissa Sue when we reach Georgetown. That’s It picked up guests in
Nassau and followed a few days later to Allens Cay.
