Compass Cay

This afternoon we arrived in Compass Cay. It is one of many Cays that make up the Exuma Land and Sea Park, which is the Bahamian National Park.
After tying up to the dock, we began to enjoy the sea life in these beautiful protected waters. Sergeant majors were plentiful below our hull, and as we were checking in, the nurse sharks were being fed. Shortly after that, a boat of tourists arrived and many jumped in to swim with the sharks! There are about 10 of them that hang around the dock, all are named and basically treated as pets.
Soon after we arrived, Dan and Judy arrived on their motor yacht "Quest". They invited us to join them for a snorkeling trip to one of their favourite spots in the area. We agreed to meet at 1:30, at which time we all hopped in their tender and sped away to "the aquarium". After securing to the mooring there, we all jumped in and were treated to the most beautiful sights I have ever seen underwater. The reef was beautiful, and the variety of fish was incredible. We saw parrot fish, blue tang, angelfish, squirrelfish, lobster, grouper, flounder, jacks and more I don't know the names of. There was a large stingray settled in a sandy patch on the bottom keeping an eye on us, and a 5' nurse shark swam by and checked us out. All this was with a backdrop of a rainbow of coral, sea fans, and a sea cucumber.
On our way back, we stopped at a small beach and walked up the river, which flows from the ocean side.
It was a most enjoyable afternoon, and we would like to moor closer to this area to see more of it.
Upon our return to the marina, we had hoped to catch a potluck dinner with other cruisers. However the caliber of boats here is far different from ours, and I don't think the chefs (or guests) on the other boats were the potluck sort of people!! So, we ended up having a great shared dinner with Dan and Judy on their boat. It is quite spectacular itself, a 60' Hatteras with far more amenities than we are used to. We were definitely spoiled!
To top off our evening, we enjoyed a few fireworks set off from the beach, and then called into a New Year's Eve party at home.

The party on the dock carries on, but it is way past cruisers' bedtime so we are turning in for the night.

Happy New Year everyone!!