We had some hiking and some snorkeling on our agenda today, and of course sting rays. We planned a lunch with Jeff and Deb at Baymahni.
We started out with a boat ride to the art trail. We hiked the trail to the ocean side and explored some caves and looked for tiny fish in the tide pools.
David went to bring the boat down the. harbour while the rest of us hiked around to the end of the island. We had to wade out to the sand bar to meet the boat.
We then traveled down to the end of the island to snorkel the Fowl Cay Reef. The wind had dropped a bit and we had good light. The tide was starting to come in and the water was much clearer than it had been when we went before. There were many reef fish and some barracuda. The sea fans were beautiful.
We rested on the little beach and then headed to lunch. Jeff and Deb joined us.
After lunch, it was sting ray time. Sara has been especially intrigued with sting rays since last year. We rushed up to Chat N Chill. The cruiser variety show was going on so it was very crowded with dinghies but we managed to find a place. There were conch strips on the table and 3 or 4 rays were present and we fed them and petted their backs. Their undersides were very soft and slippery while their backs were more firm and were not slimy. They were beautiful and hungry. One was quite large. None were as large as the one we saw at Rudder Cut Cay.
After the rays, we decided to spend the rest of the afternoon in the Kevali Harbour. Paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling were in order and we picked up the sails and rig to sail Fat Tuesday.
David rigged Fat Tuesday for sailing and I headed out on a paddle board. I went all along the edge of the cove. There are several mangrove areas along the edge and at the end of the cove, I saw multiple turtles.
Austin headed out to sail Fat Tuesday. I was so happy that he had a chance to sail and that he wanted to do that.
Michael came with me on a paddle board and we once again saw the turtles. David and Sara came out in a kayak. Michael and I decided to get our snorkeling gear and try to see the turtles underwater.
It was a long swim from the dock to the mangrove area. Michael was ahead of me and right past the dock as I was leaving, a turtle passed. It was a beautiful view but I could not get Michael’s attention and I did not have the camera. I watched the turtle for awhile and swam to catch up with Michael.
We swam around the cove but did not see any turtles. A boater told us several spots to look. Michael finally found one. We followed it for a bit but our light was fading at this point and he went deep. It was a great turtle adventure.
David sailed and then de-rigged. People were up at the gazebo watching the sunset when Michael and I returned. Dinner was spaghetti and salad and some toasted coconut bread. Austin was our lead chef.
