Out Island Regatta

George Town, Exuma, The Bahamas — Governor General His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes and Joan Lady Foulkes touched down in George Town, Exuma for the National Family Island Regatta, Thursday, April 22. “There is no other event that bonds the entire Exuma family as does the National Family Island Regatta. Indeed the George Town Regatta is not only Exuma’s Regatta but the Nation’s Regatta.” – Elliott Lockhart

Battle with Lion Fish

EXUMA, The Bahamas – Their numbers continue to expand. They are spreading throughout the Caribbean Sea. Eradication appears almost impossible. Even limited amounts of control will be extremely difficult, and right now the best available plan is to capture and eat them.

Such is the desperate status of the lionfish wars, an invasion of this predatory fish from the Pacific Ocean into the Bahamas and Caribbean region that threatens everything from coral reef ecosystems to the local economies, which are based on fishing and tourism.
With a new three year, $700,000 grant from the National Science Foundation – under the American Recovery and Investment Act – scientists from Oregon State University are urgently trying to address a looming crisis…

Exuma Regatta

Scotiabank announced its sponsorship of the 57^th Annual National Family Island Regatta to be held April 20-24, 2010 in Georgetown, Exuma.

“We are pleased to continue our support of this Bahamian cultural tradition and again pledge our commitment to this significant historical and sporting event which supports the Exuma community that we serve,” said Leah R. Davis, Scotiabank Marketing & PR Manager. Earmarking its sponsorship toward the Youth Sailing Program, the Bank will sponsor the ‘The Scotiabank Cup Race” one of the Junior National Championship races on Saturday, April 24.

Scotiabank was the first commercial bank to offer its services in Exuma and has been serving the Exuma community for the past 43 years. Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work. Recognized as a leader for its charitable donations and philanthropic activities, the Bank provides sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of healthcare, education, social services and arts and culture. Pictured left to right, Leah Davis, Scotiabank Marketing & PR Manager and Danny Strachan, Chairman, National Family Island Regatta. (Photo by Jermaine Adderley)

Exuma Annual Regatta

Each year, for four days only, the best sailors from every major island in the Bahamas converge at Elizabeth Harbour on Exuma Island for the National Family Island Regatta. During these four days, Bahamian sailors arrive prepared to sail their locally-built sloops for the much coveted “Best in the Bahamas” title. The competition is fierce and the atmosphere is alive with excitement as boating enthusiasts the world over descend on this picturesque island in the sun. Since the first race held in April 1954, the National Family Island Regatta has grown in size and popularity. Today, although the race remains the main attraction, visitors are invited to participate in countless onshore activities including fashion shows, beauty pageants, weightlifting competitions, volleyball tournaments, and endless parties. This festival certainly differs from its early days when the boats were smaller and the participants fewer.
It was in April 1954, when about 70 Bahamian schooners, dinghies and sloops assembled in Elizabeth Harbour for a three-day racing event. The first participants in the event were excited to compete and certainly enticed by the reward offered for winning the competition. Unlike the boats you see today competing in the event, the first sailors in 1954 raced in the same boats they used to earn their livelihood. These working vessels were fast, but sailors realized they would stand a better chance of winning the prize money if they had even faster boats. This competitive spirit led many sailors to enter the race with boats crafted for speed in the second year of competition. One of the early aims of the regatta was to help preserve the boat-building skills of the Bahamians, and with the prize money as an allure, Bahamian sailors were motivated to keep up this tradition. Today, the regatta draws top-notch racing boats from virtually every island in the Bahamas, all of which are categorized under one of five classes, A through E. Although the race has changed, the goal remains the same: prove yourself to be the best sailor in the Bahamas.

text copied from www.exumabahamas.org                                    picture from Alan Philips “Unabated”

Exuma, Bahamas: A Boat Ride through the Cays

Exuma Bahama Cay One of Exuma’s 360+ little isles… Tropics of Wonder! I recently visited the Exuma district of the Bahamas, a collection of over 360 divine little islands dotted with towering palm trees and soft white sand. In Exuma, the water is clearer (and more divine) than an icy martini. While there, tour company Island Routes hooked me up with seafaring father/son team of Ray and Justin Lightbourne of Exuma Water Sports. Stunning sites (and mom’s intoxicating , uh literally, rum cake) ensued. Exuma Water Sports The Lightbournes — lifelong locals — can take guests on a variety of tours, including trips to the famous cave shot in 007 flick, “Thunderball“, and to an island full of swimming wild pigs. Alas, the day we set to sea was violently choppy, due to a rare cold weather front. Though I barely comprehend how safety trumps seeing swimming wild pigs, I skipped the big sites further away and opted for a shorter voyage. Not that I’m complaining. One stop was the small cay, or island, pictured above – so deserted and unvisited that it didn’t even have a name. (For the “Blue Lagoon” or “Castaway” inclined, the Lightbournes can drop you here with a picnic lunch and come back for you at a designated time.) The still pools are shallow and calm enough to sit in, with the sun transforming them into hot tubs. Craggy rocks bear holes to the surf and create blowholes when waves crash down below. Back on the boat, Ray guided us to several stingrays and dove in the water to fetch platter-sized starfish for passengers to feel and fondle (fyi — very pointy and hard). He also took us to a small island owned by Nicholas Cage. (?!) There, Justin had wild iguanas eating grapes right out of his hand! Exuma Bahamas Nicolas Cage Island Lizard – “Mmmm, that tastes grape…” Exuma isn’t the cheapest or easiest Bahamas destination to get to (hello, connecting flights) but its isolation contributes to a mood of untouched wild that overtouristed islands can only evoke on brochures. For more info on traveling to Exuma, Bahamas: General: www.bahamas.com/out-islands/exumas Exuma Water Sports: www.exumawatersports.com Island Routes Tours: www.islandroutes.com copied from http://www.jetsetextra.com/insiders/rebecca-louie/rebeccalouie.html

Pigs in Paradise

I’ve travelled to the Cook Islands to hang out with pearl divers in a Manihiki lagoon, to Ireland to sleep in castles and to Molokai to visit a leper colony. However my latest adventure is one that earns a top spot in “the damnest things I’ve ever seen”.

The Exuma’s are a chain of islands stretching for some 120 miles. There are 365 islands….you can visit a different one ever day of the year. There are more powdery white beaches than you can count in a life time and water so clear it makes gin look polluted.

A whole family of porkers welcome visitors to their island.

My destination was Big Majors Cay, home of the swimming pigs. Yes you read right swimming porkers that live in paradise. Pigs in a (beach) blanket. Several of my Bahamian friends told me “There’s nothing there except pigs and a beach, so why go there”? Nothing there….! If that means no humans, roundabouts or malls that’s music to my ears.

Departing from Ft. Lauderdale my wife and I were the only passengers on a nine–seater Caravan –Cessna to Staniel Cay making a stop at Fresh Creek, Andros to clear immigration and customs. Here we had our only bad Bahamian experience. The customs officer had a chip on his shoulder instead of epaulets. Few flights land at Fresh Creek so I guess this bored official decided to flex his authority muscles on us. As we departed from the small aircraft there was no “hello”, “good day” or “welcome to the Bahamas”, just a sulk that gave me the impression we had disrupted his nap. The Immigration lady was much more professional and courteous and thanks to Miss Maggie who operates the small airport bar we departed from Andros in a jolly mood. Miss Maggie had no ice for our rum and coke but she offered a gracious Bahamian welcome.

STANIEL CAY
There’s nothing much on Staniel Cay, but that’s the way I like it. Local artist Bernadette Chambers rented us a small, cozy cottage and made arrangements for the lease of a 17–foot Whaler. A boat is a must in the Exumas. There are so many human–free islands to explore and it’s the only way to get to Big Majors Cay.

We had just landed and I was ready to cruise.

The Atlantic side of the islands was blowing 20 knots, yet on our lee side the sea was smooth as polished steel. The water was so clear our vessel seemed to be floating on air and I had a gratifying smile on my face. There’s nothing that gives me more pleasure than being on the sea with no specific destination, no plan and no cell phone. I have lived most of my lifetime on tropical islands, I have “beachcombed” with vengeance, seeking pleasure wherever it is to be found – and I have been happy, enjoying a felicity unknown to the average right – thinking mortal.

Within swimming distance from Staniel Cay is Thunderball Grotto. It’s nothing more than a huge hollowed out rock that looks like iron–shore from the outside. I say hollowed out because it’s actually a cave and the only way to enter is to free dive about five feet swimming amongst thousands of tame, colourful tropical fish waiting for a handout. Once in the cave it’s a sight to see. The ceiling of the cave is dotted with holes allowing the sunlight to shine through creating an underwater laser effect.

Several early James Bond films and Disney’s “Splash” had the honour of filming scenes here. I found the place amazing. I didn’t want to leave, however the water was a bit chilly for someone who usually dives south of Havana. Back in our vessel the blazing sun quickly warmed us and we made our way towards Big Majors Cay.

My wife is a devout animal lover and she would not allow me to go further unless we had some pig food. I lost the argument and back to Staniels we went. As we beached our craft I met Mr. Persaud from Guyana, he is the local school principle and teacher at Staniel All Age School where there are a total of nine children, all very courteous and excited to show me their computers. Though educated on such a far away island I was flabbergasted with their knowledge of computer lingo and most embarrassed at my lack of it.

Mr. Persaud had advice on where to get pig food and with the setting sun we decided to save the pig island trip for the following day.

Most folks don’t recycle biodegradable garbage, they do however at Staniel Cay Yacht Club where the leftovers are bagged and handed out to tourists who then deliver it to Big Majors Cay. The following morning I went to the back kitchen door and got my fair share of pig food, and with seagulls following close behind we made our way to Pigs Paradise.

PIGGIE PARADISE
From the moment they heard our boat engines the pigs came running from the bush. There must have been at least twenty of them in shades of sunburned pink to tanned brown. They galloped down their very own private beach, a beautiful beach that most developers would kill for, and then they dove into the crystalline sea towards our boat.

Swimming porkers, I had no idea pigs could swim. I tried to imagine what they would taste like. Sea salted pork that waddle in sand instead of mud, porcines that eat coconuts for desert. 300 lbs swine’s that swim better than the average tourist. And why aren’t the sharks here having a porky buffet? It was all a mystery. I was overwhelmed by it all. Others may say: “What’s the big deal, swimming pigs?” Well I’ve already said it; I see bliss different from the average right thinking mortal.

You see these pigs are living my dream. They have their own tropical island, they swim and eat in a gin clear sea, they don’t have to wear clothes and they are not ashamed of their obese figure because they don’t have to keep up with the Joneses – there are no Joneses. There are no humans on their private Eden; the few humans who do visit are their servants delivering leftover steak, lobster and caesars salad from the Yacht Club around the bay.

I was told that there were some hundred pigs on the island including several baby piglets – it seems they come out in shifts. They gorge themselves and then sleep in the shade of a coconut tree while another set of pigs greet the visitors – and will gladly pose for a photo in exchange for a discarded hamburger bun or stale potato chips.

Over the next few days we lunched at nearby Sampsons, Compass and Foul Cays – all have marinas, margaritas and fat cheeseburgers. I was most impressed with the friendly Bahamians in the Exumas and of course loved the Bahamian music that was broadcasted on every sound system on every island. During our week stay we kept all our left–overs and every day we anchored off Big Majors Cay to feed our piggy friends.

The day we were to depart Staniel I noticed on a map there was a round–about close to the airport. A round–about? “Oh no, can’t be.” I had to check this out. To my delight the one and only Staniel Cay roundabout is nothing but a collection of coral rocks in the shape of a heart – how charming! I can imagine how much money their Public Works Department saved on that.

At the tiny Staniel Cay airport we waited for our flight back to Lauderdale. My wife who is always a fidgety flyer was praying for a safe flight on the small single engine aircraft. I had a few private words with the tiki–gods myself;

“Please, please. If I’m ever reincarnated bring me back as a big fat porker, a citizen of Big Majors Cay, so I can bask in the sun, swim in the Caribbean Sea, be served by tourists and eat to my hearts content. I want to be a pig in a blanket – a beach blanket..

taken from www.baiganchoka.com

Kiteboarding in Exuma

Bonefishing in Exuma

From bonefishbjorn

Bonefishing in Great Exuma

When you think about the islands in the Bahamas, you most
certainly picture white sand beaches, sparkling azure waters and
friendly smiling faces. Without a doubt, Bahamas is home to
beautiful scenery and warm islanders, but this Caribbean getaway
is also the chosen destination of avid bonefishers from all over
the world. For your next trip to the sun, consider visiting the
island of Great Exuma Bahamas and partake in the exciting sport
of bonefishing.

Whether you are a seasoned pro or an amateur fisher, bonefishing
is a popular sport that appeals to all individuals. Bonefishing
is one of the most esteemed forms of sport fishing in the world.
Bonefish are actually found throughout the Caribbean but are
particularly abundant in the waters around certain islands.
Bonefish spend their time swimming along very shallow banks
digging for food. These fast moving silvery fish average between
4 and 6 pounds, but can reach up to 19 pounds. The sport of
bonefishing is not a passive activity. In fact, you will not
spend time sitting on a boat casting your reel. To bonefish,
groups of three or four people jump off the boat at the same
time and follow the schools of fish. Bonefishing is an ideal
activity for a group of friends or a family on a Caribbean
vacation together and the island of Great Exuma is just the
place to experience the fun of this popular sport.

The island of Great Exuma has earned its world-wide reputation
for fantastic bonefishing due to its endless firm, white flats
of sand that are teeming with small to medium-sized bone fish.
These flats are ideal for barefoot wading and in their shallow
waters you will find many opportunities to tail and hook a
variety of bonefish. As you stand in the crystal clear waters
looking for the fast and slippery one, don’t forget to notice
the other exciting and beautiful marine life.

Whether you are hoping to plan the fishing trip of a lifetime,
or you just want a chance to try an exciting sport, bonefishing
in Great Exuma, Bahamas is an appealing activity for all! There
are several experienced guides on the island who will gladly
escort you for a day, or a week, from sun up to sun down. As you
cast your line into the turquoise sea, you will undoubtedly feel
the excitement of standing among a mysterious underwater world.
There is nothing quite like hooking your first bonefish and you
may find yourself adopting this sport as a favorite past time.
Experience the pinnacle of sport fishing today in Great Exuma,
Bahamas. Fun describes it well!

Scuba in Exuma Cays

Many consider the Exuma Cays to be the most beautiful chain of islands in the Bahamas. These islands are the very definition of “tropical paradise” with turquoise waters lapping miles of white sand beaches and secluded anchorages. The Exumas comprise 365 cays spread over 120 miles. The cays themselves vary in size and terrain: some are low and barren with white sandy beaches; others have rolling hills covered with dense vegetation and small trees. The largest of the cays, and the only one with any significant population, is Great Exuma, which is 37 mi (60 km) in length. The northernmost islands are under an hour away from Nassau by speedboat and many tour operators offer day trips. George Town on Great Exuma has the only airport in the islands, which receives flights from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Nassau. Water visibility ranges from 80 to 150 feet, depending on the site. There are a wide variety of underwater opportunities to cater to every taste, including drift dives, shallow reefs and deep reefs, walls, tunnels and swim throughs, and even blue holes to explore. Expect to see large ocean-going fish like sharks, eagle rays, barracuda, along with standard reef fish and invertebrates like colorful nudibranches. Healthy stands of black coral, elkhorn coral, and staghorn coral can be found at numerous sites. A dramatic drop-off runs parallel to the islands along Exuma Sound on the eastern side. The wall starts in about 50 feet of water and plummets to several thousand. The edge contains huge caverns, tunnels, and large fish of numerous species. Just inside the wall are areas of reef formations in 20-60 feet of water. These reefs vary from shallow coral gardens to tall coral heads on white sand. These shallower dives yield hundreds of species from the smallest nudibranchs and shrimp to the larger reef fishes such as barracudas and sharks. To the west of the Exumas, the Great Bahama Bank ranges 40 miles. Only 40 feet deep, these shallow coral reefs teem with tropical fish. The tidal flow creates strong currents between the islands – ideal for drift dives over a mile in length. Some of the more interesting dives include: Thunderball Grotto – This impressive hollowed out island close to Staniel Cay is an underwater paradise teaming with tropical fish, rare sponges and corals. This setting was used for scenes from James Bond’s “Thunderball” and “Never Say Never Again” as well Disney’s “Splash”. Weave through the grotto’s many entrances and passageways, then escape to the outside through its holes. Gaze skyward when inside the amphitheater to see light streaming through the roof where rain has eroded natural skylights. Wax Cay Cut – A high velocity drift dive, considered by many to be one of the finest in the Caribbean. Fly like Superman at speeds of over 2 knots past vibrant corals and sea fans. You will see rays, sharks, eels and numerous fish as you drift with the current in this cut between the islands. The sheer density of staghorn, pillar and finger corals is amazing. There are several other drifts dives in Exuma such as Hammerhead Gulch and Coral Cut, but none quite as impressive as this. Dog Rock Wall – Hundreds of Atlantic spadefish call this spot home. Glass minnows choke the swim-throughs that lead to the wall. Massive black coral trees decorate the wall face. Angelfish Blue Hole – Just off Elizabeth Harbour, rising and falling tides create an ever-moving current through this cavern, attracting a huge variety of fish. The site drops from 30 to 90 feet before entering a cave system best left to certified cave divers. However, the schooling fish and large angelfish that occupy the blue hole are magnificent. Amberjack Reef – A patch reef where you are sure to see a number of different types of sharks including Caribbean Reef sharks and nurse sharks due to the numerous operators who feed them. Large black groupers also ply the area looking for a handout. The Washing Machine – The strong incoming tide takes scuba divers through a narrow cut where water drops off a ledge and then makes a sharp bend to the left. This causes the water to swirl like the water in a washing machine, sometimes tossing scuba divers head over heels. After passing through the cut, divers swim out over a large patch reef filled with typical tropical fish and coral. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park – This site is part of the Bahamas National Trust, encompassing 176 square miles of pristine diving in which all living creatures are protected. These waters have been managed as a no-take marine fishery reserve since 1986. This has allowed populations of commercially important species such as queen conch, Nassau grouper and spiny lobster to thrive. In addition, sea turtles swim throughout the coral reefs that teem with marine life.

copied from: exumamap.com/exuma-forum-newsgroup.html