Happy Boataversary, part 3 (going east to the Bahamas 2022)

Just about 55 miles east of No Name Harbor is Bimini, Bahamas. To get there, boats have to travel across the Gulf Stream, a wide current that moves from the south to the north at about 5.5 mph. A good weather window to cross is one where there is no northern wind component because winds blowing from the north hitting a current from the south causes waves to pile up.

We waited for our good window but also two time constraints: I needed to lead a virtual visit for several days starting March 2 and we had to submit proof of negative Covid tests no longer than 48 hours prior to our arrival.

Winds were set to shift on February 27 which meant that we had time to get settled in Bimini and figure out internet connectivity.

Our window included 17 knot winds from the east.Unfortunately, the waves were still pretty gnarly coming from the south and the east – and while it wasn’t quite as snotty as Port Royal Sound, it was kind of *sporty*

Sporty waves

The water in the Stream is absolutely gorgeous – like blue velvet.

The pretty version

Bimini, all turquoise water on the Bahama Banks side…

…and rocky, wavy ocean on the Atlantic side.

Bahamian stores in small settlements are a lot like New York bodegas, with limited selection replenished weekly.

From Bimini, we crossed the Bahama Banks to the Berry Islands – this was our longest crossing. We left in the dark and navigated around Bimini as the sun rose.

Sails up, heading east to the Berry Islands

Sailing across the bank to Great Harbour

We anchored off Great Harbour for a couple of days – the first time we anchored outside the ICW. Endless sky and water…

It’s kind of a struggle to summarize our months in the Bahamas, where, no matter what, the water was jewel-blue or green. How we met some people who moved from boat neighbors to boat friends to flotilla family.

A quick list of places we visited:

Bimini (North and South)

Great Harbor and Bay of Five Pirates (Berry Islands)

Hoffman Cay (Berry Islands)

Nassau

Highbourne and Allen Cays (Exumas) with their giant iguanas

Shroud Cay and Warderick Wells Parks (Exumas)

Black Point Settlement (Exumas) where we waited for almost two weeks for a good weather window and watched a regatta…I also had to commute to shore to get good Internet at a cafe. My morning routine included climbing this ladder with my laptop in a backpack.

Regatta