Take only photographs… Leave only footprints!

Our first stop in The Exuma Land and Sea Park (see: thebahamasnationaltrust.org) was Shroud Cay, only about six miles south of Normans Cay.

We had planned on spending some time at Shroud Cay kayaking (motor powered craft are not allowed) through mangrove streams that crisscross between the high spots that makeup the key.  But, the weather continued to be somewhat unsettled and not suitable for our style of kayaking.  So, we decided to press on to Warderick Wells Cay.  In the outlying keys that make up the park are mooring fields (preferred over anchoring for ecological reasons) that are available on a first come basis, but at Warderick Wells the moorings are assigned.  We had hoped to get a mooring in the well protected north mooring field, however we were assigned a mooring near the less protected Emerald Rock mooring field to the southwest of the key.  We will have to watch the weather closely and move to a better protected area if warranted.  We hedged our bets with the Park to get a protected mooring by joining the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park Support Fleet ($50).

North Mooring Field

View from the ECLSP office

Warderick Wells is very popular with the cruisers.  It has no water, bathroom facilities, trash disposal, fuel, telephone service or groceries.  What it does have is hiking trails to places called Boo Boo Hill, reefs for snorkeling, and great scenery.  Their one concession to the outside world is the availability of Internet for $10 per 24 hours or 100 MB whichever comes first (no Skype).