Bimini

Bimini. Approximately 50 miles east of Miami. We left Stock Island Tuesday, 6 April, and headed up Hawk Channel to an anchorage just north (actually east) of Marathon. We discovered the Curry Hammock anchorage last year when a pop-up storm forced us to seek shelter. Our trip up the channel was less than pleasant with 13 knot head winds and 3+ foot seas. The next day was a little better to our anchorage at Rodriguez Key for our crossing to Bimini the following day.

We got up bright and early Thursday morning (8 April), pulled up the anchor and started heading northeast to Bimini. We got underway around 0420 in pitch black darkness. The seas were a little rough crossing the reef from Hawk Channel to the Straights of Florida but continuously settled down the more we traveled. 

Sunrise over the Straights of Florida

I don't know how Sharon reads underway.

Our goal was to get to Brown's Marina at a 'rising tide' -- just after slack tide -- which was supposed to be between 1230-1300. The passage over was (fortunately) pretty uneventful although we experienced 3+ foot waves for the first several hours. We arrived just in time, hailed Brown's, and they told us to come in. Our friends on Liberty Call had been standing by outside waiting to get called in since 0800. They had sailed straight from Boca Chica the day before and had an overnight cruise.

Brown's Marina

Docking (thankfully!) was a piece of cake and Liberty Call came in right after us. We got settled in and Derek and I walked to Customs to check-in. Only the captains were allowed to leave the boat and Sharon and Diane had to remain behind. Both Sharon and Diane had used "Click-to-Clear" to do all the Customs paperwork online. Shocker. That was a waste of time and we still had to fill out forms. First we directed to Immigration where we had to show proof of Health Visas and negative COVID tests within the last five days along with passports. Next we went back to Customs to fill out more forms, pay $300, and get officially into the Bahamas.

We lowered the yellow Quebec flag (also known as Yellow Jack) and raised the Bahamian courtesy flag to show that we had cleared customs and were 'official'. It was time to do a little exploring and we headed to Radio Beach. First things first, a rum drink! Next we went next door to Coconut Brian for another rum drink. I don't know how he found room for the mixer but that was the best and strongest rum runner I have ever had. We also got some wings which ended up being our dinner. We were all pretty tired so called it an early night.

Diane and Sharon's coco locos with Coconut Brian

The next day, we went out on Liberty Call's dinghy to do some snorkeling and find the Road to Atlantis. The water is so incredibly blue here! Well... we didn't find the road but had a good time snorkeling. We headed back in time for the third boat in our group's arrival, Patricia Marie. We were hanging out at a beach along the channel and all waved as they passed. We took off to the marina to help them tie up. The wind was not in Tony's favor and Derek used his dinghy to help keep Patricia Marie against the dock. All things considered, Captain Tony, did an excellent job docking.

Derek with the assist

The night before we had met Aaron "Star" who offered to get us freshly caught lobsters and grill them up for us. He is a Biminite and one of the few locals actually born here. Apparently the women give birth in Miami or Nassau (for obvious reasons). The six of us enjoyed a nice feast of lobster, potatoes and salads.

Aaron "Star" our chef

Saturday we rented a six person golf cart and explored the island (which is only 7 x 1/2 miles). It felt so weird driving on the 'wrong' side of the road. The northern end of the island is the 'high-end' side with the Hilton and nice homes. We preferred the towns more and stopped at Joe's Conch Shack for a conch salad. Next we stopped at Ebbie and Pat's for rum drinks and food. Next we found the Dolphin House. Mr. Saunders, 73 years old, has been creating the Dolphin House for 28 years. It is a unique work of art that is covered inside and out with seashells, mosaic tiles and treasures found on the beach and donated by visitors. The building is three stories high with a lighthouse on the top. It is a true labor of love. We were so glad we were able to get a complete tour. After that we headed back to visit our friend, Coconut Brian.

Sunday, the girls did some shopping and the boys (Derek and Tony) took advantage of the golf cart and filled up diesel fuel jerry cans after topping off their fuel tanks. Later, we all spent the day at Radio Beach and were going to have a cookout but a thunderstorm came ripping through and cancelled that. The plus was we got a really good fresh water washdown to get rid of any remaining salt.

This fence totally messed with my OCD!

The wind has been really strong for the last two days and our boats have been bouncing big time! Monday was our 'day five' and we were required to get a second COVID test. We arrived at the clinic bright and early and got tested right away. We spent our last day taking a ferry over to South Bimini to do a little exploring and hiking a nature trail. There wasn't much on South Bimini except for some resorts.

Do not touch the Poison Wood tree!

Pirates Well (rendition)

It is Tuesday and we're off. Topping off the fuel tanks and heading to Mackie Shoal to anchor out on the Grand Bahama Bank in the middle of nowhere -- literally!