Uncharted
I know that if you placed a variety of people on a new island, each would immediately have different ideas about what they’d like to do first. Some would want to get to the beach and play in the sand while others would be inclined to don their snorkel gear and check out the nearby reefs. While both of those things sound appealing to us, our eyes almost always first gravitate to the highest point on the island and we begin to plan how we can climb up there.
As I wrote a couple of days ago, we had intended on sailing from Carriacou to Trinidad if Rebecca was able to get onto the October STCW course. As it turns out, that course is full so we have put our trip to that island on hold until next month. With no plans whatsoever then, we decided to go check out a new-to-us anchorage.
Not indicated as a stopping point on most charts or in most guide books, the tiny bay on the leeward side of Saline Island makes for a pristine anchorage for a couple of boats during settled weather. The island lies just south of Carriacou, just a small hop from where we were anchored in Hillsborough.
The bay is as beautiful as they come with crystal clear waters. Until they left later in the evening, we shared the bay with only one other boat. After they departed we had the place all to ourselves. There are reefs all around this island so, if you’re heading over there, be sure to check your charts.
A peculiar downside to this bay is that we were annoyed by a number of mosquitos during the evening hours. This is the first time this season that we’ve had this issue at an anchorage. And a word of warning for anyone looking to climb the island’s hills as we did: 90% of the plant life on Saline Island is EVIL! We swam to shore and thus hiked in bathing suits and without a machete/cutlass. This is not recommended and made the hike significantly more challenging.
Want more? Check out the full-size photo album with 51 tropical images!
That’s really cool how you guys gravitate to the highest point on an island and have that type of adventure. It reminds me of a book I read called Across Islands and Oceans. It’s written by a guy who single handed circumnavigated and did the same thing when he arrived at a new destination.
Siochana,
Mike
Cool. Was the book a good read?
http://www.amazon.com/Across-Islands-and-Oceans-ebook/dp/B00738SYEG
I enjoyed it. He also keeps a blog. Interesting character. Good videos of this adventures as well. http://www.atomvoyages.com/books.html
I think you can read the book for free on his site.
Road less traveled. We did that a bit in our SCUBA adventures to the Bahamas. Mainly because our draft allowed it, as yours does. Specifically Samana is the spot. Diving on the south side is excellent, and on calm days, anywhere around the eastern tip is the best you will find anywhere. Dive all morning, snorkel all afternoon. Then there is a sheltered bay to anchor in for the evening. I look at reefs the same way you like at mountains, and I appreciate that..
Cool!
Beautiful pictures!
Glad you like them. The view from the top was stunning.
Lovely pictures thanks. That album idea is good.
You can certainly see the ‘Saline reef’ all to clearly from higher up.
Was the anchorage rather roly? It looked as though it would be as the waves bend round the eastern end of the island.
Mike
The wind and waves aligned quite well so it was a bit choppy but not rolly. I’m sure it could be at other times. There was also a pretty strong current flowing through there.
Apparently this island is for sale:
http://www.privateislandsonline.com/islands/saline-island
Hey Mike sorry for a silly question, but could you tell me what exactly “Cruiser’s Midnight” is?
I am still reading your blog every chance I get and I am finally starting to catch up! Stay safe and I wish you fair weather.
Cruisers midnight is basically around 9:00 PM. That is when a lot of us cruisers tend to turn in.