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Published: August 9th 2007
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Camp Compass Cay
Jen at Compass Cay, which is more of a camp-like experience than a marina. On our way back up the Exuma chain we stopped at some of our favorite spots along the way, including Emerald Bay, Black Point, and Staniel Cay. We didn’t have much time to explore these islands as we wanted to take advantage of the calmer weather to travel. Often we would sail all day, drop the anchor, dinghy Kona to the beach and come back to the boat right after sunset and a good meal out. We would be exhausted from our travels, go to bed early, and then take off at first light for our next destination. We didn’t realize how far we had traveled in the last couple of months while exploring the islands, often just sailing 5-10 miles to the next destination where we would anchor out for at least a couple of days to relax and play. But the entire Exuma Island chain is 240 miles long, which is a lot of miles to travel in a sailboat, even a fast one like Rum Runner.
Our plan was to make it up to Nassau by the end of the month, stopping at a couple of islands that we missed on our way down. One place we
Compass Cay Beach
The mile long, half moon crescent beach at Compass Cay- so beautiful. were really looking forward to visiting was Compass Cay; we had heard so many wonderful things about this private little island from the other cruisers. It was often referred to as “an experience, not just a marina” and we had been told countless times that we would just have to visit. So we did just that. We ended up staying there for a week and had a wonderful time. And in a way, it was an experience. The island had a camp feel to it, especially because the whole island is private and is owned and maintained by Tucker and his friendly staff. The marina serves as a focal point for visitors, with the grill on the deck and hamburgers for lunch as well as green flash parties every night (basically a cocktail party with all the cruisers at sunset, keeping a sharp eye out for the elusive green flash as the last of the sun’s rays drop into the ocean). Here we meet many interesting cruisers, including a couple of marine biologists who conduct research on nurse sharks at Summerland Cay. One night he brought some of his work, which was featured in the March addition of Natural Geographic
The Beach
Looking out to the best beach in the Bahamas, from a cabana in the coconut palm trees- wow! This is paradise. The water was so inviting we went for a swim. magazine- very cool! There is a big article on sharks in the magazine and all of the pictures were taken here in the Bahamas, many of which also feature Wes with the sharks. Pick up a copy and check it out, if you can.
There were many different activities to do on Compass Cay, a small island rich in diversity and natural beauty. On the first day we followed the hiking trail to the beach on the Atlantic side and discovered the most beautiful beach of the Bahamas. Out of all the beaches we have visited in the islands, and there have been quite a few, we considered this to be the best. This mile long, half moon crescent beach is protected by a reef so that the waves just roll in, not crash. And of course the bone white sand and aquamarine water is spectacular, especially looking out from one of the 3 cabanas nestled amongst the coconut palm trees. And the water is so warm and inviting that we all went for a swim. Needless to say we spent many afternoons going to the beach, bringing a cooler full of Kaliks and lunch for a perfect picnic.
Cabana at the Beach
Jay relaxing in the cabana, overlooking this spectacular beach. Straight out of the corona commercial, "Take a break from the ordinary". It was divine, and straight out of the corona commercial “take a break from the ordinary”.
There were many hiking trails throughout the island, marked with painted driftwood signs. One afternoon we decided to go out and explore the south cliff walk, which promised great views and a bat cave to explore. The rocks that we were hiking over had amazing formations that showed how time and the sea had worn down the cliffs over the years. And we were rewarded with spectacular views of the Exuma Sound from the summit. The sea had washed up lots of flotsam and jetsam onto the beach below, including the side of a wooden boat which must have crashed on the perilous reefs. It was a fun hike down amongst all the odds and ends that washed up. Near the southern tip of the island was the bat cave which we spelunked. But have no fear, there aren’t any bats on the island. It is just a cave with a baseball bat hanging from the cavernous ceiling, which was placed there as an inside joke. We followed the hiking trail as it leads us back to our favorite beach, where we jumped
South Cliff Walk
The spectacular view of the Exuma Sound from the cliff walk. in to cool off. And then back to the marina for the green flash party, where we would tell other cruisers of our day’s adventure. Another successful day at Camp Compass Cay.
The most memorable and awesome thing we did at Compass Cay was to visit the pet sharks, which would come up to the dock at high tide to eat hotdogs and be pet by us and the other cruisers. It was truly amazing! There are probably 15-20 nurse sharks who hang out at the marina, in an area called the aquarium because of the abundance of fish there. Over the years Tucker has gotten the sharks used to human contact and they have become very tame. You can even jump in and swim with them. As soon as high tide comes up and a foot of water flows over the dinghy dock, you can walk out and these amazing animals saunter up for a pet and of course hoping for a hand-out. You can get hot dogs from Tucker, cut them up, and feed the sharks. And these aren’t little sharks either; some of them are up to 8 feet long and they all still look quite
South Cliff
The amazing rock formations, showing how time and the sea had worn down the cliffs over the years. scary! It took us a while to get up the nerve to wade in with the sharks and feed them, but we are glad we did. It was one of the best experiences we have had, especially with the sharks here in the Bahamas. We got some cool video of us feeding and petting the sharks (which captures the experience better than the pictures). The sound the shark makes as it gobbles up the hotdog is blood curdling. So be sure to check it out!
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Chris Kaler
non-member comment
A very special place
Our family has traveled to Compass Cay several times over the past few years. It's a very special place for us and our friends that have visited with us. The raw beauty of this island experience is hard to describe. You will just have to make your way there and decide for yourself. Prepare to lower your blood presure and feed your soul.