Spanish Wells

The times for high and low tide varies by two hours between the Atlantic side (east) and the Eleuthera Bight (west) side.  It is important to time passage at slack tide so as to avoid over 5 knots of current in Current Cut.

+3 knots with us

Our next stop was Spanish Wells, at the Spanish Wells Yacht Haven for a few days.  I removed the windlass so that it can be tapped for larger mounting bolts and have a backing plate fabricated. 

But, not at this establishment, although they had taken out a full page ad in a cruising guide touting their abilities with stainless steel, they were not able to handle the job.  I did find a place across town, On Site Marine, that was more than willing to take on the job, and did excellent work at a reasonable price.  Also, I had a blowout on my bike that tore the tire, so I ordered a new tire that was delivered via mail boat.

We had been miffed that in the “family islands” we were not able to buy more fresh fish. At Spanish Wells we hit the jackpot. We have been dinning on fresh grouper, spiny lobster, and stone crab. Good thing, Spanish Wells is quasi dry. Because of that, there is no fine dining, only carryout and a couple of diners. The fishing industry has made many Spanish Wells millionaires. Evidently, in the 50’s they figured out how to quick freeze the spiny lobster tails. Today, most of the lobster tails you see in restaurants like Red Lobster or Olive Garden come from Spanish Wells


Spanish Wells is unique in that it was settled by Loyalist that fled the Colonies during the Revolutionary War. So there are a lot more white people than you see on the other islands. They seem to have forgiven us insurgents, as they are very friendly.

Unlike in the “family islands” where most of the land is community or extended family owned and cannot be transferred, property in Spanish Wells is available.  The couple in the boat next to us at the marina was so impressed they bought property on Russell Island (attached by a bridge to Spanish Wells), and were working with a contractor to build a home.  Due to the lack of restaurants and tiki bars, Pollie was not that impressed.  So, we have moved on to the Abacos.