The Berry (Beautiful) Islands

It was time, again, to try to get away from Freeport. We have 8ft seas on the nose, but neither of our guests minded- they loved it. The wind picked up, so instead of anchoring on the East side, we changed course to head to Grand Harbour Cay Marina on the west side.

Once we turned the corner, we ran in shallow (12ft) for longer than Tom likes to to the entrance of Grand Harbour- which was 6.6ft deep at mean low water.

The Berry Islands are the most populated per square foot, and they are also the most privately owned. The population is less than 1,000. The Marina manager gave us a ride to town for brunch; we deduced it is a lot like Lopez Island. You wave to everyone you pass. Everyone one here is so friendly, and the food was delicious.Conch, anybody? We got fresh conch, lobster, and grouper both days for ceviche and meals.

We did not starve while tied to a dock waiting our weather! Cracked conch, peas and rice, specialties here, which Juan and Emme have mastered.

The wind blew for two days, the dock guy exclaimed we were crazy if we stayed for just one night. Funny thing was, we pulled in in front of a 55′ Fleming, a 55′ Fleming pulled in across from us, and there was a 75′ Fleming in this tiny marina. We felt like we were home!

We did some gunkholing on the outside- the entrance to the Harbour reminded Tessa of Gorge Harbour in Desolation.

Tom had yet to have installed the depthsounder on the skiff, so our phrase was, “BO”, or beyond oar!

Once the wind calmed down, we ventured around to Bond Cay to anchor. The passage in was harrowing- at times less than 6ft or water. We anchored in 6ft of water, Tessa fished, and gunkholed around. It was beyond beautiful.

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