We left Warderick Wells to get to Staniel Cay for New Years.  We knew there would be a party there.  Chandelle (sailing friends) called us on the radio and said our mooring line was under the keel.  Steve wanted to check if it would be a problem when we started to leave so he put on a mask and went down the swim ladder on the back of the boat.  He immediately saw a 6 ft. reef shark under Fine Lion.  It was fantastic…and he just swam on by. 

We got out OK and went to Sampson Cay for a couple of days.  It’s just a dinghy ride away from Staniel Cay.   It’s a very posh marina, resort, and restaurant.  We filled up with water and fuel before heading over to Staniel Cay for the festivities.  There were too many things going on to get to all of them.  In addition, since they do lots of fish cleaning at the Yacht Club docks, there are lots of nurse sharks hanging around for a free meal. 

Staniel is a “happening place”.  The Staniel Cay Yacht Club is at the center of it all.  It’s not a Yacht Club like AYC, but more of a bar and marina.  While there, we ran into a family from Annapolis.  There were 23 of them.  I’ll leave there names off, but they live on Spa Creek.  They also own Davis Pub in Eastport.

It’s important to note that all reservations, sign ups, and contacts are made using your boat’s name.  Tabs in bars are in the boat’s name.  Even people are referred to by the name of their boat.  It’s much easier to remember. 

In Staniel Cay, we anchored behind Big Majors Cay.  There were over 35 boats there.  That’s where they have the swimming pigs.  Cruisers feed these pigs so they will swim out to meet your dinghy as you approach.  They’ve been known to jump into a dinghy.  Another phenomenon is the number of mega yachts down here.  A mega yacht is 110 ft, or more.  They are everywhere.  They have multiple seadoos, tenders, and usually pull a 25 – 30 center console boat behind them.  It’s amazing how many there are.  They have underwater lights they put on at night that lights ups the anchorage and the bottom.

As advertised, the Yacht Club had a fun pig roast and New Years Eve Party.  We met lots of fun people, and had a ball!  The weather cooperated and was beautiful.

Staniel Cay is where Thunderball was filmed.  There is a cave that was used in the film where everybody snorkels.  It’s right next to the harbor. 

Since a big blow was forecast for Jan. 2, we went back to Sampson Cay Club and got a slip.  Wow, what a neat place to ride out a gale.  There is a neat little bar and a nice restaurant.  It’s a cool place.  The TV isn’t working in the bar so we need to find a place to watch the Redskins in the playoffs.  They said it MAY be working by then…it’s the Bahamas…no worries, mon.  The blow is going on as we write this.  It’s a cold front, and it’s real cold…68…Kim says she’s freezing!  The winds are in the high 20’s with bigger gusts.

So far that’s all we’ve got…so check in later to find out more…

Steve and Kim