Staniel Cay - Pig Beach
Perfect Sail Day
January 25
Today we had a terrific 35 km sail to Staniel Cay. Wind was 15kts from the east. Sailed close hauled, averaging 6-7kts. We chose the outside route into the deep water of 3,000’. What’s wild about sailing in the Bahamas is water depths will go from 60’ and suddenly drop to 3000’ within a mile from shore. The maximum range of our sonar depth sounder is 500’. When the digital reading goes blank, we know we’re in deep water. The inside route gets as shallow as 10’ with hidden sand bars, coral heads and rocks. Getting stuck on a sandbar or hitting a submerged rock or coral head would make for a bad day. Deep water sailing is Bistari’s specialty.
White background indicates deep water depths. Blue background indicates shallower water. The red dots are hidden rocks or coral heads, to be avoided at all cost.
Bistari anchored between The Majors. An easy dingy ride to Staniel Cay, Pig Beach and Thunderball Grotto.
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Staniel Cay
Staniel Cay, located in the central Exumas, offers good anchorages, the Staniel Cay Yacht Club and Marina, great proximity to Thunderball Grotto, setting for the grotto in the James Bond Thunderball film, and Pig Island. Yes Pig Island.
Pig Beach
Legend has it, residents of Staniel Cay raised pigs’ free range on the nearby island. When visitors came ashore this uninhabited Cay, the pigs would join them, looking for food to share and even swimming out to greet them. It’s now a top tourist attraction for Staniel Cay.
Easy to find friends here.
The pigs swim out to the boat hoping you’ll throw a carrot or two.
Tourists take caution.
Not parking too close.
Hanging with the gang.
Lots of tour boats visit the beach daily. While the crowds can be massive, it’s nice to not be the pigs center of attention.