Crossing the Great Bahama Bank

Nassau to the Exuma Islands

November, 2005

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There is a shallow bank of water with coral heads to watch out for as you leave Nassau and head to the Exuma Island chain (named the Yellow Banks).  We've crossed these banks before, but this time was a day of absolute calm and brilliant sunshine.  As we motored across, the sea was so flat and calm that you could see straight through to the bottom, as though you were snorkeling with a mask.  We saw all kinds of coral, fishes, and glided past a sleeping nurse shark which we could see clearly from the deck of the boat.

Here are two ways that Ken found to keep an eye out for coral heads.

By the time it was my turn to do the "foredeck duty", we were past the worst of the shallow coral.  So my approach was a little more relaxed. 

  We also spotted a Haitian "freighter" - these are Haitian sailboats that routinely make the run between Haiti and Nassau.