We left West End for Spanish Wells, Eleuthera on December 26th. As we prepared to leave the marina, we realized we had a problem with the starting battery. It was dead. Very dead. We decided to continue on since we knew we could start with our house bank but decided that unfortunately we’d have to stay in the marina in Spanish Wells until we could sort it out.
The overnight sail was uneventful. We had a big bright moon and it was a beautiful night. We arrived at the Spanish Wells Yacht Haven on the afternoon of the 27th. Hoping to get the battery situation taking care of quickly, we soon found out that the 28th (Monday) was the day the Bahamas was celebrating Boxing Day as the 26th fell on the weekend. So everything would be closed until Tuesday. Long story short, we managed to salvage the battery but found out we destroyed the alternator regulator. It would be a week before one could arrive from the US via Makers Air. So we had a week to explore Spanish Wells.
The highlight was the north beach with its amazing sand bar that wraps around the beach. It is truly the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. All of us enjoyed walking and playing along the sand bar, especially Bullet. Turns out Bullet loves the beach and the sand. He loves to roll in it and dig in it. He loves to run along the beach and into the water. Needless to say, but that means a sandy boat that is impossible to keep up with.
We completed our 5-day Covid test here. It was easy and everyone tested negative. The entrance requirements were all pretty easy. Much easier than most places right now. The Bahamians are taking Covid very seriously though. Masks everywhere and sanitizing hands at each store.
The new regulator arrived on January 3rd, so that meant a trip to Eleuthera Island. We took the government ferry and rented a car. The part pickup was simple, and we spent the day exploring the northern part of the island. First stop was to check out Current Cut. This is wear we would be sailing from Spanish Wells to Eleuthera Island in a few days. From the name I’m sure you can guess its known for a crazy current. We arrived to see a very strong current running through the small passage. We definitely want to take this one at slack tide.
Next up was Glass Window, where the Atlantic meats the bay. Wild ocean on one side and beautiful, calm, turquoise waters on the other. It was pretty calm when we were there, so we got to climb down and check it out up close.
Just past the Glass Window are the Queen’s Baths. Natural tide pools in the rock on the ocean side of the island. I could have sat in the pools all day. An occasional wave would crash up and refill the pools with cool water.
On the north east side of the island is Preacher’s Cave. Early settlers coming from Bermuda crashed on the reef here and took shelter in the cave until a settlement could be established. Near the cave was a beautiful beach where we had a picnic lunch and played in the waves. Bullet loved the soft sand here and had a blast running and playing.
Last stop was Sapphire Hole, a swimming hole with a 30 ft jump in and a simple rope to climb out. I skipped this one, but Mike and the kids had a blast jumping into the incredibly clear dark blue water.
Luckily the new regulator fixed the problem and we were ready to move on. On Monday, January 4th, we headed for Current Cut and on to Eleuthera Island.