We played a lazy morning card at Ambergris. We slept in and had a nice breakfast overlooking the reef off of the stern. When the sun was well up in the sky we motored off to pick our way through the cut to the north of Ambergris. There was plenty of water down the middle but the edges looked nasty.

Once out in the deep water between the Caicos Bank and the Turks Bank we put the sails up. It was a wonderful sail across to Big Sand.

As Big Sand came into view the first thing we saw was the defunct light tower at the top of the high hill in the middle of the island. The balance of the island is like a big sand dune. The bottom began to come up as we neared the bank and like clockwork, Hideko caught dinner. It was a perfect Skip Jack for two. It seems like she always hooks something just as we come into the 80 foot zone.

As we approached the anchorage we saw two other cruising sail boats anchored. We anchored in a bit closer to the beach than they were and ogled at the beautiful view. The island is like a place in a story book. The water is crystal clear and the bottom is beautiful sand in 15 feet. There is a lovely reef running along the north end of the anchorage and all the way around the north end of the island.

Roq and I rowed ashore to survey the island. Roq approved. The beach is amazing. The sand is so deep and soft that it is a bit of work hoofing around. Two of the other cruisers were on the beach with their dinghy so I stopped by to say hi. They were not very talkative so I gave them their space. It was weird to run into other cruisers and not be met with a warm welcome.

As I got the dingy set to head out I remembered Byron had recommended I try putting some sand in the bathroom box for Roq, an upgrade over the astro turf. Seeing as how Roq had still never used the box or gone on the boat I gathered up a bit of sand to take with us.

Roq and I returned to the big boat and then Hideko and I snorkeled ashore. It was very refreshing after a day in the sun. It is always fun to float 15 feet above the bottom in water so clear that you can see everything. Almost like flying. We saw a lot of interesting fish and reef dwellers in the coral heads on the way to shore.

Once ashore we hiked to the top of the island to look around. I don't think the metal tower frame and light have worked in a while. Two sea eagles were happily nesting at the top. There were lizards and crabs everywhere. From the vantage at the foot of the old light tower you can see all parts of the island. The north end is rocky and the south is all sand. Looking to the weather side of the island spoiled the fantasy though as there was quite a bit of junk washed up on the north east side where the sea breaks.

Hideko and I swam back to the boat and rinsed off on the transom. After some fresh skip jack and a little Hagen Daz we hit the sack as the sun set. It was going to be an early start tomorrow on the way to Luperon.