Cairns of the Exumas

Brenda exploring the cairns at Rachel's Bath in the Exumas.

One of the interesting features of many of the islands in the Exumas (and other islands in the Bahamas) that we have explored are the amazing rock cairns.

The cairns, built by adventurers who came before us, stand as landmarks, trailheads, and in some cases, pieces of art.

Rough cairns standing on a high bluff on Bitter Guana Cay,
with S/V Pandion anchored in the background. 

When seeking trailheads along beaches, Brenda and I have learned to look for cairns.

In some cases, though, we have stumbled across areas that have dozens of cairns.

Galleries of cairns. It's clear that some cairn builders consider the practice as art, and it's fun to see their sculptures.

A gallery of cairns atop a bluff on Hawksbill Cay.

Two trolls: Gary with a troll cairn sculpture on Sampson Cay.

Rock cairn sculpture on Sampson Cay.

Cairn decorated with coral fragments.