A Day on Long Island
Friday 4th - Saturday 5th April, 2025
We arranged a car rental for Friday April 4th. By 8:40 am we were at Fox’s dock waiting for the car to be delivered. After some paperwork and exchange of funds, the tiny Toyota was ours until 5:30 pm. We clambered inside and set off to the north end of Long Island. The name is no misnomer, 80 miles long and four miles wide (at the widest point?) exploring the whole thing is a project for more than a single day. Our first objective was the Columbus monument at Cape Santa Maria. To our dismay we failed to turn at the correct left and came to the end of the road (no monument in sight), We did find a foot bridge and crossed it, following a foot path to a beach. I was startled by a land crab on the path. Not half as startled as the crab which started to move backward and fell off the edge of the path landing on his back! He scrambled to his feet and scuttled off into the brush. There was plenty of evidence that not all the local crabs were quite as lucky as mine (see the photos). Returning to the car we backtracked taking the correct left turn and came to the carpark for the monument. Concrete steps led up the rise to lovely views of the sea around the point and the monument to the indigenous people of Long Island and Christopher Columbus. Next we headed south to an area marked as Adderley Ruins. At the turning off the Queens Highway, we found ourselves on a lumpy dirt road which became less smooth with each hundred yards. We decided to park and walk but had to carry on for quite a distance to find a spot big enough to turn the car around. Walking along the track, we eventually emerged onto a beach. Very shallow water stretched out for hundreds of feet. We spotted a couple of flocks of plover—we think Wilson’s and Snowy but aren’t certain. We also saw a reddish egret. A sign directed us along the beach for the ruins. Reaching another sign post we turned inland. The trail did not appear to be heavily used. When we arrived at the “ruins” we found a couple of concrete walls heavily overgrown with brush. Definitely not the highlight of the day.
Returning to the car we set off in search of lunch. Our top choice appeared to be closed so we carried on to the town of Salt Pond. Fish tacos at the Sou’side Bar and Grill got us ready for the afternoon. Continuing south, we kept our eyes peeled for the turning to Dean’s Blue hole. Another dirt road led away to the left. Following signs, we arrived at a parking area and jumped out. We were surprised to meet Benge, Debbie (Makarios), Jo and Paul (Arabella). They were also on a day trip exploring the island. Debbie confirmed that it was worth swimming in the blue hole for the experience. I changed into my swimsuit but regretted having left snorkel and flippers behind. Mike, having failed to bring swimming trunks, went swimming in his favorite outfit! I’m not sure what the other pair of people made of it but with luck we’ll never see them again. The blue hole is wild. At the edge it looks like any sandy beach but in a short distance the color of the water takes on a very deep blue color. As you wade out it gets deep really quickly—and the temperature drops pretty fast! I did try to look down but couldn’t really see anything … well it is 663 feet deep! Just because, I swam to the far side and back. So cool! In the center of the area is a platform with a line going down to the bottom (presumably). This is the setup for free divers who want to try for personal or world records for deep dives.
Our last stop in the south was Flying Fish Marina where we had stayed a few days back in 2018. It was great to walk around and see it again. This time no sharks were spotted! Heading back to Salt Pond we stopped off at the liquor store for beer and rum. The gas station was visited twice—once to fill the car and a second time to buy ice. A quick trip to the great grocery store for paper products and a couple other items completed our vehicle outing. Getting a case of beer into the dinghy from one of the highest docks in the Bahamas (I exaggerate a bit) was quite a challenge. The dinghy ride back was fairly controlled until we needed to come along side Cotinga! Showers and a dinner of leftovers brought us to boaters midnight (or slightly later).
This afternoon, with a rising tide, we sailed up the west coast of Long Island to anchor in Calabash Bay, just south of Cape Santa Maria. It was a wild ride with winds of up to 25 knots … thankfully from the stern quarter. We were worried about shallow areas but didn’t see anything less than 8.5 feet. We are now well positioned to sail over to Conception Island … weather permitting.
Gloria
23 38.105 N, 75 20.389 W
No, thanks to 663 feet deep!
ReplyDeleteSaw the blue hole on The Deepest Breath. What an experience to have had. Bit freaky to swim over it, well done!
ReplyDeleteJo