Off to Spanish Wells

Route from Little Harbor Cut
 to Spanish Wells

Leaving Hope Town, Abaco we motor-sailed 77 miles south to Spanish Wells, Eleuthera.  Along the way we stopped off at Sandy Cay to go exploring and snorkeling.  Unfortunately the wind began to pick up and the rain began to fall as a squall passed through the area, so rather than getting into the water, we collected water, which we used to wash down "Little Lara" and launder some clothes.  Once the squall had past, we hoisted the anchor and made our way toward Lynyard Cay near Little Harbor, where we anchored for the night.  Knowing that the next leg of our passage would be a long one we were in bed early to be up by 1:00 am.  Our plan was to leave late enough to make slack tide at Little Harbor Cut and yet early enough to arrive in Spanish Wells during the daylight.  With waves breaking on the reefs all around us, we shot through the pass just at slack tide.  Our timing could not have been more perfect! Soon we were past "The Boilers" (this reef's name says it all) and out into open waters of Northeast Providence Channel.  This channel is 13,000 feet deep so our depth meter soon registered "---".  We had not made a night passage since we left Florida and crossed the Gulf Stream.  On this trip found the seas calm and the moon big and bright.  Once again we enjoyed the night skies as we stood three hour watches throughout the night: one of us minding the helm while the other slept.

Sunrise Northeast Providence Channel

Just as the sun was coming up, Peggy shouted the customary, "Land Oh". Soon we found ourselves rounding Egg Island, passing Royal Island and Meeks Patch, before dropping anchor just off Spanish Wells harbor.

Spanish Wells Harbor

Spanish Wells is a small town (population 1,500) located on St. George's Cay, Eleuthera.  The first colonists were adventurers from Bermuda, who suffered shipwreck on a reef, known as the "Devil's Backbone" off Eleuthera in 1647. After living in a cave known as "Preacher's Cave", they ended up at Spanish Wells. Among others, later groups of settlers were Crown loyalists, who left the United States after the American Revolutionary War. Historically, the island was used as a last stop for Spanish ships returning to Europe, where these ships refilled their water supply from wells created for this purpose - thus the English name of the settlement: Spanish Wells.

Spanish Wells

The next day we went inside the harbor to take a mooring ball just off the town near some mud flats that show themselves at low tide.  As we have found on other islands in the Bahamas the people here are very friendly and helpful, and we find new cruising friends wherever we go. We are excited to be in the Eleuthera, but will miss the Abacos.

Fair Winds and Calm Seas

"Little Lara" on her Mooring Ball