West Bay to Highbourne Cay

What a difference a day makes and the protection by the Exumas Sounds on the East and the Great Bahama Bank on the west. Today’s cruising was such a pleasure leaving West Bay at 9am and arriving into Highbourne Cay at 2pm. The Exuma Cays begin just south of Nassau and extend south to Little Exuma Island, which is close to Long Island. The Exuma chain has a mixture of undeveloped islands, exclusive resorts, private islands, pristine beaches, snorkeling paradise and 22 nm of protected sea park where fishing, lobstering, shelling and conching are all prohibited. Nana and Nandad will cruise this amazing area for the next few days while we wait the arrival of the Arsenault’s and the Doneski’s who we will meet at Paradise Island. 

Highbourne Cay is a 500 acre privately owned cay that offers rental cottages, great anchorage, and a small marina right at the northern end of the Exumas. Once we are secured into our slip we take a stroll to check into the office ( while throwing the line to the dock hand Nana was greeted by a big nurse shark ). On the way there we meet the residential parrot LuAnn. We make a reservation for dinner at the Xuma restaurant , which is literally right on the beach and stroll the docks to admire the many megayachts. 

It is really a beautiful spot surrounded by sandbars, coral, sandy beaches with very cozy chairs and swings to sit on. People arrive on the island by either sea plane, helicopter or private boat. You can rent a golf cart, borrow a bike or simply take a walk and let your senses guide you.

These are the nurse sharks that swim around the marina.They are very big and Nana certainly would not want to swim in the water!

Super Bowl Sunday and we spend a Layday at Highbourne Cay relaxing on the glorious beaches, riding the bikes, watching the megayachts come and go, lunch at Xuma and a special reservation for dinner with front seats for the Super Bowl. The perfect day with the heat of the sun, the gentle breeze from the ocean and the surf of the water. 

Tomorrow we will head for Staniel Cay which is the midway point of the Exumas. Nana and Nandad spent sometime at Staniel two years ago and are so excited to return on New Horizon.

I guess if you were waiting for the bus on Highbourne Cay it could take a lifetime!