January 19

Shroud Cay

Anchored in Shroud Cay National Park. The Bahama National Trust charges to anchor, moor or enter the park. Well worth the nominal fee to enjoy this pristine marine treasure.

We rode the dingy through the cut to the ocean side of the cay. It was slack low tide so in shallow areas we got out and pulled the dingy. We saw turtles and a nurse shark. After a nice picnic and swim on the ocean side we headed back, timing it just right for high tide and a speedy return to Bistari.

January 21

Warderick Wells Cay

Had a wonderful day exploring Warderick Wells Cay with Max and Janet of Gusto Vita. Highlights included a hike up Boo Boo Hill. The terrain was jagged lava rock with sand and brush. The views were gorgeous. Boaters write their boat name on driftwood and leave it at the top.

Our dingy ride back to Bistari was eventful. 3/4 mile off shore we ran aground on a sand bar and ended up pulling the dingy through 6 inches of water over the sandbar. This was a first for us.

Later afternoon we took the dingy to Gusto Vita for an outdoor movie - Best In Show

January 22

Norman Cay

From Normanscay.com

“It is an island with a story and a spirit that belies its size. Over time it has housed pirates, drug-lords, film makers, explorers, writers, fishermen and marine biologists. Despite its attraction over time to so many, Norman’s Cay today is almost untouched by man.”

Today, the island is owned by the Fort Capital Group in Miami, a luxury hotel developer. A new marina with gorgeous villas is scheduled to open this year. A private airstrip, a relic of a darker time, is on the island for easy access.

This cay has a bit of drug history.

“Norman Cay served as the headquarters for Carlos Lehder’s drug smuggling operation from 1978 until around 1982. Lehder, before with his partner George Jung and later through Norman's Cay, is often credited with revolutionizing drug smuggling. The typical method of transporting small shipments, often carried by human drug mules, either through ingestion or in their luggage, onto commercial airlines, was surpassed by the use of small aircraft shipping entire loads of cocaine.

More recently,

“In 2017, Billy McFarland arranged to lease the island from its owners to hold the Fyre Festival, with the Cay's owners giving the strict condition that McFarland make no reference to Pablo Escobar's connection (via the Medellín Cartel).[6] Promotional footage for the festival was shot on Norman's Cay, and planning for the festival went ahead. In early 2017, the video was released on social media, which (erroneously) advertised the island as "once owned by Pablo Escobar". The owners immediately cancelled the arrangement, and on short notice, planning was relocated to Great Exuma.[7]

From:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman%27s_Cay