Our view from our anchorage near the Ft Pierce inlet. It must be pretty shallow or these guys are walking on water. Miss the pretty blue from the Bahamas.
Back in the US – from Ft Pierce to Vero Beach
From the Bahamas to the US
We had an early departure – about an hour before the sun came out. We missed hitting the $7,500,000 yacht named Homecoming.
Leaving the channel was bittersweet – knowing our trip to the Bahamas was over but glad to be going back to see family and friends. Our plan is to go to West End and then head Northeast with Ft. Pierce as our US destination.
At the pool yesterday we visited with a few couples who are also heading back today. One lady had a thick southern accent and warned me of the sweyells that we were going to have.
The crossing was very pleasant compared to our last one. There were swells but no violent rocking. We arrived in Ft Pierce a little after 1:00 am – our longest sail to date. We did have a giant freighter heading out right as we came in. And – even though it was 1 am there were still people eating at the outside restaurant. We are not in the Bahamas anymore 🤣
From Great Stirrup Cay to Grand Bahama
We stayed two days at the Grand Bahama Yacht Club marina near Freeport before we make our way back to USA. This is a great marina with a pool, a restaurant and plenty of fun sailors and cruisers.
Last night at the Pisces restaurant we met a couple of cruisers from Seattle. It was their first time to the Bahamas – on a rather large ship called “Cowboy”.
Our last night in the Bahamas – we took the water taxi to Freeport and walked around a bit – mostly empty stores since the cruise ships were not here.
From Alders Cay to Great Stirrup Cay.
Alders cay was a beautiful anchorage and the waters were calm. We stayed there for a few days and did some swimming, snorkeling and relaxing. Because this was a private cay, we didn’t go ashore. However we didn’t see anyone on the cay the two days we were there.
Sunsets were watercolor shades of yellow and orange.
We found a soothing tidal pool and enjoyed listening to the waves roll in from the other side of the island. Colorful striped fish darted around as we visited with our buddies Sharon and Mark from Monarch.
After these photos were taken Jeff dropped the phone in the water. Miraculously it survived. My phone last year did not survive the Staniel Cay plunge.
It’s still amazing how clear the waters are!
It was a smooth ride all the way to Stirrup Cay – water was glass like.
We trolled the entire way but didn’t get one bite.
Two massive cruise ships were at Coco Cay near Great Stirrup Cay. And the Disneyfication of the Bahamas is front and center on the Cay.
Sharon and Mark came over for dinner – another beautiful sunset!
From Royal Island to the Berry Islands
Starting at the crack of dawn, we set off for our all day trip to the Berries. We have smooth seas and virtually no wind so it will be motoring most of the day.
It was less than windy all day but it was pretty rolly. We ended up in the Berry islands at Alders Cay. It’s a private island but the anchorage – and sunset was beautiful!!
Tomorrow we’ll check out the snorkeling – and nearby sandbar.
From Spanish Wells to Royal Island
The weather is not so great for the next few days so we moved to protection in Royal Island
We did some quick snorkeling after we got here. Later our friends Mike and Sharon came over for a sundowner.
The snorkeling was pretty good in this anchorage. We saw coral heads, rays, and beautiful fish.
Royal island – hiding from the wind!
A strong wind was on the horizon so we moved from Spanish Wells on Tuesday into a smaller well protected anchorage near Royal Island – west of Eleuthera.
Monarch was also anchored there so we had them over for sunset.
Snorkeling was really great in this anchorage. Beautiful coral heads, colorful fish and sea biscuits. I had never seen these before – sort of a cousin to the sand dollar.
Last night we went over to Monarch and visited with Sharon and Mike and had home made oatmeal cookies. Leaving at night was so windy – but the stars were so amazing! There was no light anywhere near the anchorage so we could see the sky clearly.
Today the wind is howling again. It will be windy tonight!
Driving around Spanish Wells
For our first day on Spanish Wells island, we rented a golf cart for the day. Most people here drive golf carts so it was perfect for the island.
We drove around just checking out the sites
We drove over the bridge to Russel Island and Jeff signed the poster that said “sign your name” at the end of the island.
There were lots of colorful flowers on both islands.
Of course there are plenty of beautiful beaches.
There was also very little litter on the island – quite a pleasant drive. One reason may be they had super cute trash cans everywhere – here are just a few.
There were also cute wooden directional signs.
After driving around a bit more, we had lunch at a beach restaurant on Russel Island. Later we stocked up at the grocery store before turning in the keys.
From Glass Window Bridge to Spanish Wells.
We had a very early morning start and a super rocky and rolly sail the first part of the morning. Many things fell on the floor.
We went through current cut from East to West with a pretty healthy current running through it.
Spanish Wells was next on the list and we stopped for gas and water. It was super windy getting off the docks.
There are only five mooring balls in the harbor and they were all taken. So we came outside and put down the anchor for the night. it looked like “cat” parking as there were only two other monohulls in the area.
Another beautiful sunset in the Bahamas!
Glass Window Bridge and Queen’s Road Bath
Early in the morning we went snorkeling near Mutton Fish Point. We saw turtles, colorful fish and a baby sting ray.
Later we moved our boat slightly closer to Glass Window Bridge and dinghied in behind the split rocks.
We walked to the Glass Window Bridge first and spent some time visiting with Rene and Jesse on the bridge. I saw a school bus cross over and thought how those kids get to see the view every day.
Afterwards, we walked to the Queens Bath. It was very jagged, rocky, steep – not my kind of path. Jeff made it down but I stayed above.
Later we moved the boat back to Mutton Fish Point. I did some more snorkeling before sunset. It was a rolly night at anchor.