Slow Cruise

Spent several days in Salt Pond / Thompson Bay area at the Long Island.

It is another cruiser friendly settlement, with some basic services - provisioning and marine supply stores, fuel station, auto shop, helpful tourism office. In particular, I liked the Yacht Club / Cultural Center area - it is a nice spot on the small beach to sit, relax, enjoy view of the harbour and free wi-fi.
Unfortunately, there are few closed down businesses as well.

Visited an interesting cave on the island.

Also, caught some fish on the way to the island - had a yummy BBQ dinner first night there, and there was enough left over for the fish cutlets for the next couple days.

Had a delightful daysail north along the Long Island shore, catching the upcoming weather front.

Spent overnight at the Calabash Bay anchorage, just south of Cape Santa Maia.
Had a chance to walk around a luxury Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort - quite charming, feel the beauty of the area.
Also liked the adjacent Hoosie Harbor - a pleasant shallow spot with warm water and mangroves.

Spent two days at the Rum Cay. It is said, this place is still like the old Bahamas. A quiet island, especially since the marina closure (cruising guides still mention it as open).

Had a stroll around the island, got the feeling of the place.
There are couple of tiny stores and restaurants/bars, church, government building, clinic and a small all-age school. That's about it. One of the bars is a "sand bar" - literally, with the sand floor inside. Charming. That's where cruisers congregate, so we had some drinks and met some cruisers there. Replenished our fresh produce supplies.

The anchorage is wide open to prevailing winds, but has a good protection against northerlies - that what we were expecting for the days of our stay. As the wind started to shift east, we left.

Stayed at the Clarence Town on the East side on the Long Island.
The Flying Fish marina is nice and clean, and the area around is being developed more. Had a pleasant lunch at the waterfront grill bar there, walked around the town.

The town has two prominent churches. Pasturing goats around. Otherwise it's a typical Bahamian town with some basic local services.

The Long Island is big, but we didn't venture out further - we would need to hitch the ride or rent a car, but my driver license had expired while we're in Bahamas.

The anchorage in the harbour is somewhat protected from the prevailing winds, but is still quite rolly. Waiting or the suitable weather window to go further South. While here, had a haircut, filled water tanks, dived to clean the boat's bottom as much as could.

It was a long passage to the Crooked Island, heading into the wind, arriving after the sunset.

As we approached the island, wind brought a strong smell of some spies or herbs. Later we learned it was likely to be the smell from the facility which exports bark from local trees.

Spend two nights anchored at this beautiful isolated place. Had a memorable day trip to the sandy beach - picnicking, snorkeling, swimming, etc.

When leaving, decided to check out another place a bit to the south - French Wells. It supposed to be a pretty and secure anchorage.
On approach, we had run aground, and spent some time getting off. Passing by local boaters helped us and guided to the deeper water. Few lessons learned.

A pleasant settlement on the North West end of the Crooked Island.
Locals are very friendly and make you feel welcome. Spent almost a week here. There are 3 stores, a restaurant, clinic, airport, very basic other services. People are making living here by fishing, mini-farming, some government jobs, but mainly by providing tourism services - hospitality, fishing and snorkeling trips, etc.

There are quite few cottages here where foreigners (mainly Americans) sent some portion of the year here.

One night, on Easter Holidays, we were invited to a beach party - music, local food and people gathering. We have met some locals, vacationers and cruisers here. Had a really good time.

When leaving the place, the weather turned out to be too rough as we turned the Bird Rock at the North West tip of the island, so we had to turn back and wait for the weather to settle. Leaving the following day.

A convenient and picturesque bay anchorage along the way.
We shared it with two more boats. Met a young couple from France who sank their boat earlier on nearby island - a sad story.

Stayed another day here - walked around the beach, had diner picnic there at night.

Very pretty island and anchorage.
After a coffee with pancakes, we went fishing in the morning around the coral reefs on the dinghy. Tried snorkeling with the spear too. No fish caught this time, just sunburn instead.

After early dinner, we went on shore to walk along the beach. Collected some shells. Beautiful beach, just for us - actually the entire island - except for the herd of wild goats.

Then back home for a movie and tea with biscuits, and a game of Red Alert.

Later at night, we realized there is a lot if fish around the boat, so Larysa started fishing - and got the jack! Nice finally for the day.
We will have it for diner tomorrow.

We had a long sailing day, beating and tacking into the 20+ knots winds.
Reached the West shore of Mayaguana Island just before the sunset, anchored overnight near Betsy Bay. It was the rolly anchorage, so I made the "swell bridle" to reduce the rolling and have a more pleasant night. It helped.
Didn't go ashore.
For the dinner, we had the fish we caught earlier at the West Plana Cays.
Leaving for Abrahams Bay tomorrow.

Mayaguana is the furthest of the Bahamas' Out Islands, at the South East end of archipelago.

We visited the main town of the island, Abrahams Bay. The bay is beautiful but shallow, with many areas drying out during low tide, so it was a challenge getting to the dock even on a dinghy.
Abrahams Bay town is an outpost type of settlement, with only a few basic services, but it was interesting to explore it a little.
We got some provisions, take-out chicken wings and fries, met other cruisers.

Next, after 3 months of cruising Bahamas, will be heading for Turks and Caicos. The Bahamian courtesy flag for sure have seen a lot of Bahamian winds during our time here.