We had to cross the Northeast Providence Channel to get from north Eleuthera to the Abacos. Last year it was a terrible passage where we were rolling in the waves on a downwind sail. It was before we had a preventer and everything was flapping and swinging and when we took the sails down, we rolled even more.
This year we had little wind but it was not behind us. There were swells that were about 6 feet but with a long interval. We moved gently up and down with them. We initially motor sailed with a little wind but soon did not have enough wind for sailing. We left the main up, reefed and tight to help us with stability and it helped. As a boat passed us, we watched him disappear and reappear in the swells.
We were worried that the cut would be rough with ebb tide against the swells but it was wide and deep enough and we had no problem getting in.
Once in the Abacos, we made our way past Little Harbour to Lynyard Cay. We found a sandy patch to anchor in. It was calm and beautiful and we launched the dinghy and paddle board and went to explore.
I took my snorkel gear on my board and went to a little snorkel spot near sea urchin beach. It was a small reef close to shore but I saw fish and some small coral heads. There were conch in the grass and a great many sea biscuits. They are dark masses with tiny dark spines when living. On the bottom, they often have small shells on top but if you look closely, you can see their design. We found several on the beach and right at the tide line.
We spoke to several other cruisers on the beach, many of whom spent their whole time in the Abacos. They were very willing to share some favorite spots. We knew about Sandy Cay, Man- O- War, Hope Town and Manjack.
They had some information about Hope Town. The anchorage just north is very nice with good depth. Sometimes people dingy in to the harbour, claim a mooring if one is available by placing a buoy on it. Then they move in at high tide.
They also mentioned some new favorite places. One was Powell Cay which is beautiful and has a large colony of long tailed tropical birds. Apparently, they can be seen from the cliffs there. There is also a nice trail to walk there.
They also mentioned Great Guana and the bars Nippers and Grabbers. They recommended anchoring outside of Green Turtle and taking the dinghy in or just enjoying the Tranquil Turtle restaurant on the beach there. They also spoke of Spanish Cay with the marina there.
We returned to the boat around sunset. It was very calm. Dinghies were crossing to Little Harbour to go to Pete’s restaurant there and it was a night where you could anchor anywhere.
