CAPT. MIKE IN THE EXUMAS DAY SEVEN: BELL ISLAND AND WARDERICK WELLS CAY

As we were heading into the anchorage yesterday we passed Bell Island and noticed a huge pile of limestone sand on it:

The island is owned by the Aga Kahn. On closer examination there is some heavy duty development going on as evidenced by the earth moving vehicles next to the limestone pile. Captain Corky and I being curious kind of guys decided to head over and check out what was going on. So we jumped into the dingy and headed over to the island. Our timing was good because as we approached it happened that a tug was backing out with a barge of some of that limestone pile:

They even had a big dump truck on board for added measure:

Once the tug and barge had cleared the entrance it was wide open so we headed on in:

Looks like that pile of limestone is what was removed to create a man made harbor on the island. The shear vertical walls show where the limestone was cut out:

It was a pretty extensive excavation. Big enough to hold several mega yachts,. Though from the looks of it breezes may have a hard time finding their way into the basin. But, those on the air conditioned mega yachts will hardly notice that.

After a few minutes we were chased out by some security/construction personnel. Our fortuitous arrival as the Tug and barge was pulling out allowed us to enter before the security barrier had been in back in place. One wonders if we would ever be able to enter the harbor in the future once the island development has been completed.  A Joni Mitchell song comes to mind.

Back on SURPRISE we upped anchor and headed over to Warderick Wells Cay. Warderick Wells is also the  headquarters of the Exumas National Park. We picked up a mooring nearest the main building:

A very scenic channel has boats lined up all in row on moorings at this location. Meanwhile on shore the natural history of the Exumas is on display. Including this skeleton of a whale that washed up that is on display on the beach:

 While we napped  Corky and Sue went ashore and bought back a copy of  THE INLAND SEA by Mortimor M. Hunt from the swap library at the park headquarters. It's a book about a cruise around Long Island Sound taken in the 1960's. I look forward to reading it this summer while on board BIANKA.
In the afternoon we had two drift snorkels through a nearby cut. They were fast but enjoyable.

CAPT. MIKE IN THE EXUMAS DAY SIX CLICK HERE

CAPT. MIKE IN THE EXUMAS DAY EIGHT CLICK HERE