The past week has been absolutely beautiful...not January weather here at all. Typically, we see many fronts in January, which bring strong winds and cool weather. This week has been about 80 degrees everyday, with light, and variable winds. That does imply very little sailing, but it also means the waters have been flat and calm. As we cross the Sea of Abaco, you can look over the side of the boat and sea every sea star, sea cucumber, and fish swimming by. Fifteen feet of water feels like 10 inches, everything is so clear.
From underwater
This is the first time that we have had the opportunity to go snorkeling at the Fowle Cays National Park. It is an underwater park, protected from fishing and hunting, which is on the Atlantic side of the islands, just through one of the cuts between the Sea of Abaco and the Atlantic. Usually the waves make this an untenable place to snorkel. The dive boats go out all the time, but its a little rough for snorkeling.
From underwater
We anchored the big boat just inside the cut off of Scotland Cay, and dinghied out to the reefs. If you don't like snorkeling, you could easily have enjoyed the reef anyway...it was clear enough to see everything from the dinghy. We passed by one reef, and could see about a 6 foot nurse shark sitting on the bottom of the ocean floor. Thankfully, that was after we had already snorkeled and we were on our way back in. The reefs we swam on were healthy with plants and tons of fish...absolutely beautiful!
From underwater

From underwater

Just about everyday, we have been snorkeling and/or lobstering on one reef or another. While Alan goes grocery shopping, I take photos. It is extremely difficult for me to take a decent pic however, because with my wetsuit on, I am too bouyant to be able to dive down to get close enough. Alan wears a weight belt so that he can dive deep.
From underwater

We have been moving often, from Treasure to Man-o-War, up to Scotland, back to Man-o-War, to Matt Lowes Cay, to Marsh Harbour, and we are now back at Treasure. This is where the internet is best, so I am able to download pics and post the blog.