Spanish Wells, Bahamas to Stuart, FL

We finally got a weather window to be able to head out of Spanish Wells and were ecstatic. That meant that we would be able to take a few days and make it over to Florida. Little did we know that in those few days the Corona virus would be wreaking it’s havoc in the US and there would be a national emergency declared. Had we known it would have been an easy decision to practice social distancing by staying at anchor in the Bahamas.

Our last few stops in the Bahamas. N end of Eleuthera (Spanish Wells) > Royal Harbour > Berry Islands > Freeport, Grand Bahama > West End, Grand Bahama.

Heartbeat at anchor in Royal Harbor after escaping a 3 week involuntary marina stay in Spanish Wells.

After a 61 mile (~7hr) very rolly day we were happy to land at Soldier Cay in the Berry Islands. The beach was lovely but sharks circled the boat making swimming a non negotiable activity.

Nice little conch shell collection that was started on the beach.

Parker, Leslie and Kent enjoying a coconut drink in West End.

Our crossing to Stuart, FL was uneventful – just the way you want it to be when you need to get across 80 miles of open water.

Arriving back in Florida was a shock (just like we had last year) with so many boaters speeding in all directions throwing up massive wakes. We immediately missed the peacefulness of the Bahamas.

We made our way to Stuart and grabbed a mooring ball for the night, reunited with Forever Friday (Mike & Mary). The AT (American Tug) Team was back together for one final hurrah – Heartbeat (AT 34′), Scaliwag (AT 41′) and Forever Friday (AT 34′)