Some pretty nasty weather was on its way and we puzzled over where to take cover. The lo and associated cold front wreaked havoc in the middle and eastern US and was strong enough to penetrate to the Tropic of Cancer, where we are located. Elizabeth Harbor is beautiful and spacious but has few places to hide if the wind is from the west or northwest.
A fellow cruiser mentioned Red Shanks anchorage, a well-known remote anchorage with 360 degree protection. According to the charts it appeared the depths were too shallow for our six foot draft. But the couple had recently been in there and assured us there was plenty of water. So, on high tide and with Maryann on the bow spotting coral heads and reefs we wove our way into to Red Shanks without any problems.
Red Shanks consists of several small uninhabited islands that create protection 360 degrees. So while the wind howled at 30 – 40 knots we were in relatively calm water with good holding in 10 feet of sand for 4 days. We explored by dinghy when weather permitted, Don fished off the dinghy on the edge of a blue hole and caught 2 small fish (he was so excited….the curse has been broken!) and we watched several green turtles poking along the surface. There were a total of 10 boats hiding with us. That was the only sign of civilization.
After the weather passed we headed back to Elizabeth Harbor to socialize and buy groceries! We will be back, Red Shanks!