South Point Stroll

The wind picked up last night and the Seas just didn't look like a lot of kayaking fun... especially getting out through the surf. So this morning, we took a stroll to the South Point of Salt Cay. It has to be called a stroll because we had to stop a number of times for pictures and just a few brief "ahhhs". The first stop was to take some pictures of the Cactus Tree (Consolea (opuntia) nashii) growing along both sides of the road.

The cactus trees are just starting to flower and the brilliant red flowers are a striking contrast to the blues of the Sea and sky and the green bushes surrounding it. These cactus are native exclusively to the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands and can grow to a height of about 4 meters (or 13 feet) but I've only seen them grown to about 6 feet tall on Salt Cay. (If you click on the pictures they open to a larger size so you can see them better... the flower really is beautiful!)

Salt Cay is the home of many elusive and ever-changing pocket beaches. I call them that because they are little pockets along the shoreline that under the right conditions fill with beautiful sand and are a joy to play on! You just have to walk along either side of the island and you'll find them (or not!).

Even on fairly windy days, these little pocket beaches can be fun to use... bobbing in the water and playing in the surges. Maybe tomorrow... today, the stroll to the South Point is the order of business and there are so many things to see in just that small area. Looking South toward the point there was another little pocket beach within sight of the first one... I hadn't seen it before... it must be one of the more elusive ones! Just off these little beaches, we spotted the Salt Cay Divers' boat enjoying a bright and sunny Sunday scuba dive. A great place to enjoy beautiful scenery above and below!

It's usually better to go out for a walk early in the morning before it gets too hot, but this morning the winds are blowing about 15mph and keeping everything a cool 80.

As we approached the South Point the sounds of the Sea increased to a low roar as the currents coming around the West side hit the currents coming around the East side of the island.Two years ago when I kayaked around the island, this was the toughest part of the trip. There are reefs half-submerged and the currents both ways are very strong. It is impossible even on a calm day to stay very close to shore in the kayak. At one point, I remember looking at the shore and wondering if I was traveling forward at all! The wild, free waves are incredible to watch.

It used to be a bit of a secret that the very best shells could be found on the South Point. That's not the case anymore, now it's best to get there early after a storm to search through the seaweed if you want the best shells. The weather and Sea have been calm for the past week and I was fairly confident that I wouldn't find and real treasures, but looking is half the fun!

I found a great stick and proceeded up and down the beach poking through the sea fans, sponges, pieces of coral, small broken shells, and seaweed. And of course, there's always the odd shoe that washes ashore. (can you spot it in the picture?)

Because the Sea has been calm there were not many piles of seaweed to go through but I did manage to find a nice Chestnut Turbin and a couple little melanilla and a cowrie shell. Lots of beautiful bits of shell, including a bright orange scallop nestled in the seaweed.

With sand in my shoes and a smile on my face, I took one last look toward the powerful beauty of the currents at South Point and headed home.

Pirates Hideaway on Salt Cay

There is a secluded oasis on Salt Cay and when the Seas are rough for swimming we feel lucky to be able to go to Pirates Hideaway and enjoy the beautiful pool. Yesterday, I hopped on my bike with towel, water bottle and camera to ride South on Victoria Street to Candy's (aka Pirates Hideaway). The other ladies were already there when I arrived relaxing on the Salt Cay chairs and discussing New Year's Eve plans.

The pool is surrounded by beautiful tropical plants and is a refreshing change from the salt water. Don't get me wrong... the beach is my preference - but on windy, rough days it feels so luxurious to lounge around this beautiful crystal clear water and take a dip when it gets hot!

With butterflies flitting about and birds chirping in the trees, it's easy to lose yourself for a few hours of true relaxation.Pirates Hideaway is the only place on Salt Cay with a papaya tree and look at the fruit... it will be a few more weeks before these are ripe and I'm hoping that I'll get a bite or two!

There is another reason for our visit to Candy's lovely pool oasis... yesterday, December 30th was Debbie (Salt Cay Divers) birthday! Happy Birthday Debbie. :0)

Scuba Diving on Salt Cay

I don't dive, I snorkel. My friends on island and many guests on the island love to go diving with Salt Cay Divers. When Rose, my youngest daughter, was in high school she came down during one of her Spring breaks and had a great time getting certified and diving with Debbie and a couple of other younger divers who were getting certified at the same time. Carey, my oldest daughter, came down the next year and - not to be outdone by her younger sister - got her certification too. They had a great time. Debbie, Ollie and their staff always do such a fantastic job with new divers. I think the best part of diving here is that you aren't out there with a bazillion other divers. They have three (hmm, or is it four?) boats and with all the great dive sites you're usually only out with about 4-6 other people.

I've been out to snorkel Point Pleasant and see it from above - it was fantastic. I came face to face with a turtle one day - awesome! With luck it will be nice enough to get out there today, the Seas are finally starting to calm down. That's the problem with just snorkeling... I can only go out when it's nice. Divers have been out there listening to the humpback whales and having a great time swiming with the fish and through the coral while I sit on shore waiting for the days that are calm enough to snorkel.

It's been a couple of years since I've gone with Ollie (Salt Cay Divers) to swim with the sting rays - I wish someone would come visit so that I'll have to go with them. I know, I know... I could go anyway but it's so much more fun to go with someone who's never been swimming with the rays before. I'll never forget my first trip - I will admit to "swimming" around the house pretending I was a spotted leopard ray for days. They are so beautiful and move so gracefully!!


I'll be getting in my kayak to paddle up to Point Pleasant and do a little snorkeling. It just doesn't get any better than this. :0)