Pipe Cay and the Southern Exuma Land and Sea Park.

We set sail for the brief trip to Pipe Cay.  The area is full of sand bores and huge tidal currents and stunning.  We anchored off some cold war ruins, not sure exactly what it was there for.  We did some diving and looking for the elusive lobster.  If it was not for Pierre and Erin, I would think they were farm raised. 

Sheet Music off Pipe Cay

We went to Cambridge Cay in the southern part of the Exuma Land and Sea Park, and we began to explore.  We went to a set of reef, and then to the “bubble baths” an area of Sampson Cay where the waves from the sound crash over the rocks and produce bubbles and waves, a very unique phenomena.  I think its where they got the idea for the lazy river ride at Atlantis. 

The girls then went and climbed Little Bell rock, which was quite a feat. 

Emily had found two conch, one in Pipe Cay and the other off Cambridge, and wanted to clean them up.  She took them on the back of the boat and began scrubbing.  The park ranger, with a machine gun, asked if we were aware that we could not take shells.  After some discussing he allowed us to live, and to keep our shells.  Cleaning of shells is not allowed either.  Actually, we were pretty stupid to have done so, but we just did not think about it.  We plan to go to Eluthera tomorrow, a 35 mile trip with depths over 2 miles. 

Look Close, Crew on the Hill

Eluthera (not really)

We got up in the morning and I saw gusts to 25 knots, not something I would have worried about racing, but we are about comfort to some extent, so we spent another day.  We went to the coral gardens, which had to be some of the nicest snorkeling we have seen.  Then we went to the rocky dundas, which are caves carved in the side of several cays.  Truly spectacular.  Eluthera tomorrow.

The Rocky Dundas

Eluthera (Really)

We left in the morning, and had a great sail most of the way across the Exuma Sound.  The wind was light, but we managed to maintain between 5-6 knots.   We arrived in Powel Point at a marina owned by the same person who owns the Orland Magic.   Nice place, but not on the top of our list. 

Eluthera from the Sound 2 miles deep

We went to the Exuma Island School and Research Center for a tour.  The place is a school for college kids to spend a semester learning about conservation and the marine environment.  They gave us a long tour, and showed us all around.  They have three research projects going on.

1. What concentration of fish in fish food do Cobia need to eat to be tasty and big?
2. How much salt can a Tilapia take?
3. Cam you make lettuce out of fish poop?  (yes you can, I saw it)

Heading to Rock Sound either today or tomorrow, a front is coming through as I write.