Leg 5 - Chub Cay, Berry Islands Bahamas
3/31/24 - 4/1/24
143 Miles
Easter Sunday we made our crossing to the Bahamas. This was our second crossing to the Bahamas, our first was 2 years ago on a different boat on a flat sea. Crossing the gulf stream is always an adventure and fully understanding the weather is most important. The forecast was favorable, we were hoping for the same ideal conditions as our first crossing. We got up early and off we went from Miami Beach Marina bound for Chub Cay in the Berry Islands. Unfortunately, the weather had not caught up with the forecast. We went about 40 minutes out the channel and decided to turn around. Too much chop and we wouldn't be able to run at our preferred speed. After reviewing AGAIN every weather tool we had, we decided we would travel south to Key Biscayne and wait for another weather window at No Name Harbor. About an hour later arriving at Key Biscayne it looked like the weather was more favorable and the forecast continued to hold so we decided to go for it! We had a decent chop with short wave intervals at first, thankfully the weather improved as we traveled. It was about 4 hours in open water, we didn't notice crossing the gulf stream, we would give the crossing a fine rating. We were happy when we were welcomed by the lighthouse at Cat Cay. Passing through the Cat Cay cut we left the deep waters of the Atlantic entering the shallow turquoise waters of the Bahamas! From Cat Cay to Chub Cay we traveled the Grand Bahama bank through the Northwest Channel, about 15 miles from Chub the depths go from 12 ft in the Grand Bahama bank waters to 1000 ft in the Northwest Channel!
Everyone likes a safe and as smooth as possible passage!
Chub Cay Resort and Marina from the channel entrance.
After a long passage, there is no sweeter image than your destination in sight!
Chub Cay Resort and Marina is home to many large fishing boats who love to fish the waters close by, most notable the The Pocket, the magical spot where the abyssal Tongue of the Ocean abuts the coral shallows of Bahama Bank.
COAST with its yellow flag quarantine flag, waiting to pass Bahamian customs.
Captain Walt completed most of the immigration and customs paperwork online prior to our arrival making for an easy entry into the country.
Captain Walt walking the gorgeous, wide, floating docks.
Chub Cay Resort and Marina grand entrance, steps from the marina!
The Chub Cay Chapel is steps from the marina.
Interior Chub Cay Chapel, lovely hand painted mural is the backdrop for the alter.
Turtle Creek walk, a great walk from the marina to the beach.
Getting our steps in!
Chub Cay Resort's main building has hotel rooms as well as variety of villas
if you want to visit and stay in land.
Pink is the preferred house color at Chub!
More pink houses!
Path to the pool.
I love the infinity pool on the beach!
This sweet little beach is steps from the pool.
Best Pina Colada in The Bahamas!
Up next the Exumas
4,042 Miles to date since August 1.
All our best from the vessel COAST, Captain Walt and first mate Aimee.
