Doin’ The Rock, Rock Lobster

X-ing File #5_Antigua to Bahamas (perhaps) continues…

Warderick Wells, Exumas Land & Sea Park

In 1958, an area of 176 sq miles was set aside by the Bahamian government as a protected area for both marine life and wildlife.  Warderick Wells, one small cay in this area, offers convenient moorings in the safety of the the park, and luckily for us, one in a great spot next to a recommended dive/snorkel site. 
  

Finally, having fun at last!!

Seduced by the area’s beauty, we stayed for three nights, occupying ourselves with snorkelling trips, using our dive camera for the first time and even taking a walk on a section of the trail around the cay.  We found deep "wells" in rock formations where fresh water collects. It seems pirates of old did not miss this opportunity.  As did a Loyalist settlers. (Loyalists (18th c) remained loyal to Britain, so were ousted from Florida to a lonely life on outlying Bahamas Cays.)  

Again, rather than write more, here’s a few (quite a few...) photos of our visit and another "Things to do List":

Dive off the back of your boat (mooring #16) to see Bazza, the barracuda and his equally nosey buddies;

Bazza escorted us all the way back to the boat...with that alarming grin

Dive the coral bommies off Emerald Rock; scare yourself with a reef shark encounter;

GS had a close & personal shark experience...much larger than he looks

Consider Bahamas History.  Walk to high point, Boo Boo Hill and listen for the ghosts of shipwrecked souls singing hymns (at night).  Visit Loyalist ruins and spare a thought for these deserted souls too.

The Cay is home to stomatolites, flat gray reefs, the oldest form of life
on earth at 3.5 billion years old.  Only discovered in 1983.

Spot a Hutia (not a one!)

Curly-tailed lizards were enjoying the sunshine however

Walk the Causeway Bridge and look for baby rays;

Appreciate the scenery surrounding the Park Office and the mooring area.  It's divine.

A large ray swam between our moorings too!