June 1 - 8
Miami, Cat Cay, Bird Cay, Rose Island, Allan's Cay, Highbourne Cay, Lyford Cay 
Mike and Jean Rose

After the run to Miami long time friends and business partner Mike Rose and wife Jean, along with Nora joined me in Miami to begin the first week of the Bahamas cruise.  They all arrived on the same flight late in the afternoon on May 31st.  We walked from our berth in the marina to a steakhouse located within the complex.  This was the best of a dozen or so options, most of which were in the fast food or chain food category.  Hooters, etc.  The marina complex is a bit noisy with an outdoor band on at least some days a week.  They also have several harbor tour boats that leave every hour on weekends and weekday peaks.  The marina is well protected and has no current.

The crossing of the Gulf Stream the next morning was smooth with a 8-10 knot wind from the south.  We dodged a few thundershowers on the way and arrived at Cat Cay http://www.catcayclub.com/ about 2 PM under overcast skies.  So much for our planned afternoon of snorkeling on one of the nearby reefs.

They had a new customs officer at Cat Cay, a young lady who was quite nice and accommodating, a characteristic that has not always been in abundance at this location, based upon previous visits.

We had a good dinner at the casual restaurant, indoors due to no-seeums.  The main restaurant, which I have never noticed having any activity, is reserved for club members, only  8 of whom were in residence during our stay.

6-2 Bird Cay - Crossed the Bahamas Bank in good weather and smooth water to anchorage at Bird Cay in the Berry Islands near Berry Islands Club.  Chubb Cay Marina was not yet open and didn't look like it was going to make its advertised June 15 opening. Did a little swimming after arrival.  

6-3 Rose Island - http://www.roseisland.com/index1.htm Crossed channel to New Providence and anchored off Rose Island which was reported to be good snorkeling, we didn't find any great spots however.  Afternoon thunderstorm hit about 30 minutes after we arrived, but the night was comfortable.  Anchorage is well protected with good holding.

6-4 Allan's Cay - Planned departure was delayed till afternoon due to T-storms and visibility, but the days run  was smooth - about 4 hours.  The passage from Rose Island to and beyond Porgie Rock was a bit tense as visibility was not good.  We skirted the yellow bank also due to visibility. Allan's Cay anchorage is very popular so it is well to arrive earlier than we were able to to get a good spot.  We had to anchor in 22 feet of water near the north end cut.

6-5/6 Highbourne Cay - Visited the Iguanas after breakfast, they were all hungry and we forgot to bring food, but we got some good pics.  The run to Highbourne Cay was short and we had planned to anchor just outside the marina as they had no room when had called for reservations a few days earlier.  The holding was poor however with a good deal of current.  We wound up having to go outside and anchor for an hour while a storm passed.  The marina had a slip open up so we were able to spend the night there, in addition to the next night, which we had previously scheduled.  The island has no restaurant, but we had a catered seafood dinner from ? who brought take out to the  boat.  There are a gaggle of nurse sharks that hang around the marina waiting for hand outs at the fish cleaning dock.  At least a dozen.  They also have a nice beach where we spend most of the next day.  There is a small grocery store at the marina for basic provisions.

6-7 Highbourne to Lyford Cay on New Providence.  First time in to Lyford, A nice quiet marina with easy access.  They have golf carts for trips to nearby grocery store and just opened Greek cafe, but other restaurants are a 20-30 minute taxi ride.  There is a nice clubhouse, however it is not open to transients. The Greek Cafe however was quite nice and the owners most friendly and accommodating.