Passage to Long Island

View of Newton Cay from the peak of Cape Santa Maria. 

Riding an east wind, we sailed Pandion 20 nautical miles from Conception to Cape Santa Maria on the north tip of Long Island. We had first heard about Long Island last year from the superintendent of the Exumas Land and Sea Park; this is his home island and he proudly described it's pristine beauty and friendly people. He was right!

Taking Newt through the Newton Cay Sound.

With Pandion anchored safely off the beach near the Cape, we took our dinghy Newt for a trip around the high white cliffs and through the pass into Newton Cay Sound for a day of exploring.

Brenda tracking our journey on an iPad.
Always good to know how to get back.

The Sound is shallow, requiring navigation by sight. We took Newt up a series of twisting tidal creeks that narrowed down to five feet across; just wide enough for the dinghy to pass.

Up the creek. 

With no destination in mind, we followed the creek up to a small abandoned bridge that provided a view out to the Atlantic. Turns out the place is called the Busted Bridge, complete with a small bar and grille run by Shawn. Shawn offered us free drinks, since we had no cash, but we politely declined. Cool place, but we had a long run back.

View of the Atlantic Ocean from Shawn's Busted Bridge Bar and Grille.

The busted bridge. No way to get Newt under that.
Damaged by a hurricane many years ago and never repaired.

On our return, as the tide was falling and the sand flats of the Sound were starting to show up, we opted for taking a hike up to the peak of Cape Santa Maria. The Cape is over 100 feet high, offering spectacular 360 degree views.

White cliff bluffs of Cape Santa Maria.

The Columbus Monument. Columbus came ashore near this location in October 1492,
and described Long Island as the most beautiful island he had ever seen. 

Tide running out of the Sound, about to leave Newt high and dry.

We had to hoof it back to Newt, to make sure that the outgoing tide did not strand our dinghy. Been there, done that. We were able to pull the dinghy off into the pass, and headed out under the shadow of the Cape's cliffs above. Great day!