Kayaking in the Exuma Islands, Bahamas - May 2007
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From the Bonefish Lodge we usually camp on either Boysie Cay (land on the large beach and camp either on the beach or back in the interior of the Cay for wind protection) or Rat Cay ... - EM
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GREEN MINI From the Bonefish Lodge we usually camp on Rat Cay (there are sites for 3 or 4 tents behind the little beach facing pigeon - pull your kayaks off of the beach onto the piles of Conch shells or grass as the beach dissappears at high tide) or Boysie Cay ... - EM
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RED MINI Not a friendly place to stop. Go to Windsock Cay instead. - EM
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BLUE MINI There is good snorkelling all around Pigeon Cay off of the beach - be aware of strong currents around the point under the Osprey nest.- EM
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GREEN MINI There is a long beach on the southwestern side of Normans Pond that has good camp sites all along it. Don't camp on the first beach you come to if you go around the southern end. Keep going and you'll get to a longer beach with a small inlet into the pond. Camp anywhere along the beach. I have never camped on that beach without seeing some really cool sea life cruise along the beach (read small sharks, dolphins, rays, nudibranchs etc). Keep an eye out at dawn and dusk. - EM
BLUE MINI You can paddle into the pond from mid tide up. It's pretty cool in there and you can surf the wave on the way out on a falling tide. The chart says there are ruins in the pond but we have yet to find them. - EM
BLUE MINI On the northern end of the island just before you leave the beach side there is a cave that you can snorkel in. There is a buoy marking it. Tie up your kayaks and climb over the iron shore about 5 ft. There is a cave that is full of water with lots of baby fish in it. - EM
BLUE MINI The currents around the Northern point and on the Northeastern side of the island can be really strong. Be careful and ty to hit the area around slack tide. You can paddle around to the Northeastern end where there is a beach to land on. There is good snorkelling off of this beach but it is a marine research area and NO TAKE ZONE. Please no fishing or shelling. - EM
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GREEN MINI Leaf Cay also has a nice little beach to camp on - there are iguanas that live on this island also. They are friendly and will beg for food. They are protected. Camp on the small beach facing Normans Pond. - EM
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BLUE MINI there's a big bay you can stop at for lunch - EM
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GREEN MINI then up to the Bay at the North end of Lignum Vitae Cay (Where it starts to get narrow). It is marked as private but we have been camping here for years with no problems. Camp under the Cassarina Pine trees on the beach in the bay (faces North).- EM
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BLUE MINI There is a old abandoned house on Darby Island that is worth a hike up to see. Ask permission from the caretaker who lives in house by the dock on Little Darby - he's more than happy to act as tour guide usually. Go past the house down the (over grown) trail until you find a cave with animals pens in it. It's pretty cool.- EM
BLUE MINI Snorkel in the cut between Darby and little Darby. This was dredged to be deep enough to accomodate WWII German submarines! - EM
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GREEN MINI There is a really nice beach on New cay, facing Gold ring Cay to camp on. - EM
BLUE MINI There is a mangrove creek that runs up into New Cay that is a nice paddle from mid tide up. - EM
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WHITE MINI Farthest undeveloped island we'd be likely to reach. The islands in between are mostly developed, so it might not be worth pushing this far up the Exumas. Wouldn't it be more fun to take extra time to explore the other islands further south?
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- EM
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This collection of info was obtained from charts, guidebooks, and a local guide's insights prior to the trip. Half the fun of a trip is in the anticipation. Hopefully this will fuel your imagination until we return with pictures and stories!!
Hold your mouse over a marker for a brief description.
Some of the markers can be clicked on for more information.
White markers are islands or cays.
Yellow markers are privately owned, but may allow visitors.
Red markers are private islands - avoid.
Green markers are possible campsites.
Blue markers are points of interest - snorkeling, ruins, etc.
May the Adventure continue!!
posted 2/18/07