We’re in Full Chillaxin Mode
12 January 2025
Allan Gray

It's been a week since we arrived in Williams Bay and we have eased right into life at anchor Bahamian style. Although most days have been breezy we've had great protection from the predominantly north east to east winds. Occasionally the wind has gone around the clock however, the times of limited protection have been short lived so we have never felt the need to relocate.
Although the breezy weather has limited our snorkeling time the kayaks are getting a workout as we venture further and further from the anchorage. One excursion took us a couple of miles south of Williams Bay and across the opening to Pucker Pass, an extremely narrow and treacherous small boat cut that is not for the faint of heart. We wisely gave the entrance a wide berth but as we watched the ocean waves crash against the out going tide, it was easy to see how the pass got it's name. While paddling through a very shallow area we had the most amazing experience with a group of rays. As we were drifting along I suddenly realized we were in the middle of at least a dozen large southern rays hiding in the sand. We had to be careful padding in the 2 foot deep water because our paddles would hit them. Our skeg must have brushed over one because there was quite a splash behind us as an irate ray swam away while images of Steve Irwin flashed in my head. By the end of our excursion we had easily seen 3 dozen rays and a couple of turtles.
One of the main attractions of Lee Stocking Island has been the abundance of hiking trails that criss-cross the island. Unfortunately, the island has been sold again and the new owner plans on building an Eco Resort and re-opening the research Center. Sadly, with the exception of one short trail and 2 small beaches, the rest of the island is off limits to visitors. There is a lot of renovation work being done on the buildings at the research Center and if the rumours are true, re opening the Center would certainly be a positive for the area. The rumours of a new resort are being greeted with skepticism. We have seen a few construction projects scattered around the islands that promised great things but were never completed for one reason or another. The sad part is coral landscape never recovers from failed construction sites which leave behind ugly scars and rusting construction equipment.
We'll be leaving here in a couple of days as the weather patterns seem to be improving. It is time to move on and checkout a few more places before heading to Georgetown for supplies. After that who knows.
Today picture is of a happy hour sunset from the beach at Williams Bay. Dagny is on the far left of the picture