April 15-18 Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park Waderick Wells

View of Hog Cay from Waderick Wells on our trail hiking expedition

It is a pleasant day's run of 35 miles from Highbourne Marina to Waderick Wells North Mooring field in the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park. The Park http://www.exumapark.info/ is a designated no fishing area and is a breeding ground for native fish , lobster, wildlife etc.  At Waderick Wells they have provided mooring balls to which you can tie up and spend as many nights as you wish.  We got our name on the waiting list the day before we came.  We were fortunate enough to be able to tie up to balls #5 and 6.  Quite a special view.  The channel where we are tied up is narrow but deep (10-12') .  On either side of the channel is a beautiful sandbar that is dry or nearly dry at low tide. We arrive just before the Park office closes at 4pm.  So it is down with the dinghy which will be our mode of transportation for the next few days and head to the park office to pay for our mooring fee which is $20/night + $10 internet fee if you desire, which is for 24hrs or 100mb of data whichever comes first.  No telephone service but the internet is okay, sporadic, and certainly not speedy. No time to do any exploring today (Saturday), only time to enjoy the beautiful view, the sand beaches and the gin clear water

Mitch & Barb at a sign on Capture Beach

Today is Sunday so off we go exploring in our dinghies.  We run 3 or 4 miles to the south end of Waderick Wells and the south mooring field where the old Pirates Lair is located.  The Pirates came here to hide and get water from a fresh water well located on the island

Barb-She forgot her pirates outfit

Judy at a monument on Capture Beach.  No inscription so I can't tell you why it is there

We waited until slack tide to go snorkeling.  We saw giant lobster and  grouper as well as an assortment of other fish and very beautiful coral formatons.  As the fish and lobster swim by you, they just laugh because they know it is illegal to catch or spear them.  Also lobster season ended on April 1st in all of the Bahamas

Memorabilia of boaters visits left on top of BooBoo Hill

A must see when you come to WW is BooBoo Hill.  It is a short hike to the top of the highest hill on the island.  The view is magnificent.  You can see for miles in all directions.  To the east-The Exuma Sound which is very deep and to the west the Exuma Banks which is relatively shallow.  Today the weather is magnificent and the view is postcard perfect.  The Sound is flat calm and deep blue.  The banks are varying shades from sand colored to green to blue depending on the water depth.

At the summit of BooBoo Hill boaters leave memorabilia of their visit.  You are asked to leave nothing other than wood or driftwood.  We knew about BooBoo Hill but forgot to prepare  anything that would be noteworthy

View of the mooring field from atop BooBoo Hill.  Note the deep water in the middle and the shallow area on each side`

Sunset at WW to the west. Look to the east and you will see the full moon coming up

Moon rise at sunset.  A full moon no less.

Today is Monday.  Nothing special planned.  Time for me to catch up on the Blog.  Mitch and Barb are off snorkeling now that slack tide has arrived.  Tomorrow we are headed to Staniel Cay or perhaps Compass.  Both marinas are full so it may be an anchorage.