Layin low in Abaco

We arrived into the Abacos with our visit into Little Harbor and Pete's Pub after crossing from Spanish Wells. We immediately noticed many differences in our new cruising ground.

We've been to the Abacos twice before and have a good idea of them. The Abacos is the chain lying in the northeast corner of the Bahamas and consists of Great Abaco Island and a long series of small Cays. The Abacos are more populous than many of the other islands in the Bahamas. They have also become a large vacation destination especially or people from Florida with the many resorts, cottages and boat charters. There are few boat charters in other island groups but there are several in the Abacos including large fleets by Moorings and Sunsail. As a result the Abaco waters are full of boats of all kinds and the hope of finding a quiet anchorage is minimal.

Breakers coming in around Channel Cay.

Sandy Cay with other boats looking for snorkel opportunities.

So far the least number of boats we've seen was at Little Harbor and that's probably because the entrance is shallow. When we left Little Harbor we anchored behind Sandy Cay to snorkel but it was too rough so we traveled on to Tahiti Beach at the south end of Elbow Cay. When we got there we found about 15 other boats had the same idea. What a beautiful spot but tons of traffic.

Boats at Tahiti Beach.

After spending the night we headed up to Marsh Harbor to hide from the next cold front due to arrive in a few days. We got a slip in the Marsh Harbor Marina and Jib Room that many people had talked about. It was the first time our boat got plugged in since we came over. It was also nice to give the boat a fresh water bath although some of the rain we've had did a great job of it. We had several missions to accomplish while in Marsh Harbor. We had many boat chores to accomplish, get provisions, freshen the batteries by plugging them in and of course ride out the bad weather. The marina was nicely sheltered from the winds blowing through with the front.

View from the Jib Room.

One of the ancillary benefits we wanted to achieve was to snorkel the Mermaid Reef which was just across the ridge from Marsh Harbor Marina. We missed it last year.  So after rinsing off the salt from the boat we headed over to the beach while the weather was still good. Rain and miserable weather was in the forecast beginning late Friday. So we snorkled the reef on Thursday afternoon and went back on Friday morning while the weather was still good. The reef was excellent. Somewhat limited in diversity of coral and sponge types but lots of fish species.

Views of Mermaid Beach.

Got numerous boat chores completed. Changed the oil and filters, cleaned the strainers, cleaned out the turbocharger, tightened the packing nut and cleaned out the engine compartment. Also got the first good cleaning inside the boat in a few weeks completed.

But it wasn't all work. We had a great time meeting several new folks and a couple of our old friends, Hayden and Radeen Cochran on Island Spirit came in on Friday so we partied with them and others while at the marina.

We stayed at the marina and left on Wednesday since the weather didn't look favorable for heading north and we enjoyed being there. Wednesday we left with the plan to go to ether Guana Cay or Treasure Cay but coming out of Marsh Harbor we had a great sail and lots of boats were crossing the Whale so we decided to go for it.

And that begins our next adventure still layin low in Abaco.

Linda outside the Jib Room.