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wild sailing in the bahamas

Sailing The Deep South – Bahamas Wild Side

Sailing towards the Jumentos Cays and Ragged Island chain we didn’t expect much. From the sailors we had talked to, this area is all about enjoying the remoteness because the islands are mostly wild and uninhabited.

The region is just over 110 miles in length and isn’t much more than a series of rocks sticking up in the middle of the ocean. We thought of this portion of our journey as a mini pilgrimage.  It’s as far south as we’ll make it in the Bahamas (this trip) , so why not head to the more wild islands for our last hurrah.  Plus, with minimal protection for anchoring combined with limited cell reception it felt like a solid challenge…and we wanted to get a few more nautical miles under our belt before sailing north.

This pilgrimage is all about exploring the deep south, with no expectations or specific mission in mind.  It’s sometimes hard to get ourselves in this mindset but its how we try to approach most of our travels. Being open minded with no preconceived ideas of what lies ahead sets us up for spontaneous experiences, and leaves the the door wide open for serendipity.

I have so many emotional attachments to this leg of the journey, yet I still haven’t worked out in my mind why.  It felt like the perfect end to our Bahamas journey.

From navigating the shallow waters and dodging coral heads, to the remote spear fishing on our own.  These last couple of weeks were more confidence building moments mingled with unforgettable encounters with the locals.  Being embraced by and throwing back drinks with the fishermen and women on Ragged Cay was unreal.  It blew us away how from before we even walked in the door, we were treated like long time friends.  No sideways glances, no judgement, just instant welcome shots and big Bahamian hugs.

While the Bahamas do have a similar look throughout: rocky islands with green shrubs and clear blue waters, there is a distinct vibe that changes with each cluster and community. The whole of the Jumentos and Ragged Cays felt secluded, quiet and wild.  Like a place of refuge.

It’s said that a picture is worth a thousand words, that a complex idea can be conveyed with just a single still image and its meaning is more effective and has a deeper impact than a description.  Hopefully these images leave you with the same warm and fuzzy euphoric feeling we get looking back on them.

sailing the deep south

sailing bahamas ragged islands

sailing about the world

sunsets at sea

flamingo island pink salt pond

sailing the jumento islands bahamas

dead isup

anchorage all to ourselves

sailing the jumento islands bahamas

diving and sailing the jumento islands bahamas

diving and sailing the jumento islands bahamas

sailing the deep south

remote islands and private beaches

trash dump in the bahamas

duncan town the deep south

dilapidated bahamas

sailing bahamas ragged islands

salty explorations

Thanks so much for joining us and being a part of the journey.

If you have any questions or just want to say hello, leave us a note in the comment box below.  If you enjoyed this post share it with a friend. It helps us keep the posts and videos flowing.

Sailing Report

To see our full map with interactive pins, click here: gonewiththewynns.com/map

Dates: April 2 – 10, 2017
Nautical Miles Sailed: 118 from Long Island to Ragged Cay
Anchorages:  We used our Garmin Blue Charts with the Active Captain overlay to pick our anchorages.  They are clearly marked with reviews and additional information.
Cell & WiFi: Our cell phone signal/data only worked in Ragged Cay and just outside of Ragged Cay with our booster on.

Gear Used In This Video

Cameras Used to Capture This Video

Hello there! I honestly don’t know what to say, so I am going to tell you a bunch of random facts instead. I'm a fish eating vegetarian who hates spiders and loves snakes. I almost never took vacations growing up. I wanted to be Pippi Longstocking (still do). I misspell about every other word I write and still struggle with grammar. I love splurging on a good high tea (which is really hard to find these days). And whatever you do, don’t tell me I can’t do something, because then I'll HAVE to do it!

Comments (35)

  • Heidi Hasenfus

    My husband and I had a magic time cruising the Jumentos and Ragged Island area for a 6 week time period back in 1994! So happy to hear it is virtually unchanged and the lovely folks of Ragged Island are still friendly as ever. Glad you two had the same wonderful experience. Sail on….

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  • Russ

    I am captivated by your ambition and achievements. Your enthusiasm is awesome. I stumbled across your RV adventures on Youtube and was unable to stop watching. My wife and I intend to go fulltime RVing soon. You both are inspiring. Thank you and have safe travels.

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    • Curious Minion

      That’s fantastic! Safe travels, enjoy yourselves, and thanks for the feedback.

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  • Charles Anderson

    Great video. Captured a good rangeof subject matter; Sailing, adventure, cat time, couple time and drinking with random people. Looks like a great life we all get to sorta be a part of. Thank you! -Charlie

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  • Martine

    I would just like to say I have been to the outer islands in the Bahamas. Just a few really and I think it is the best place on the planet. Love, love, love the water. We are going back in November and I can’t wait. Never get tired of watching your videos. Haters gonna hate no matter what. Can’t wait for your next adventure.

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  • Richard MacLennan

    Hi Nikki & Jason,

    At the beginning of this video you mentioned that you were going to demonstrate the Iridium GO, but you never did.

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  • Chris Starnes

    Be honest Nikki, were you hammered at the end of that video? I’ve never seen either one of you like that, but it was pretty funny that you appeared to try and cover it up. Good times.

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  • Denise Fonseca

    I’d call this video “Bravery and Content!” Jason is the man…saving his stranded queen on the deserted island…such bravery in those shark infested waters! I felt like I was actually away from my desk, with travel from cay to cay…so much to see, and the weather was so cooperative! Loved the underwater videos and the candid moments. In a small way, we are there with you! Thank you for another great piece! Hugs!

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  • My daughter heard your voice when I turned on the video.. IS THAT THE WYNNS’? So we watched together.
    She loves the underwater videos. She asks me what every fish is.. lol.

    So enjoyable. Thank you so much for sharing!

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  • Will

    What is your latest brand of cat harness? Noticed you successfully using one down in the Bahamas. Thanks.

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  • Anne Wassink

    I saw this and immediately thought of you https://www.gosunstove.com/
    Perfect for you. And you have the absolute best underwater pictures on YouTube

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  • David

    I very much enjoyed the video of getting to Ragged Island. The music you picked says a lot about who you both are. Loved it. I have not been to RI is 40 years and yet it’s so similar. And you got it. It’s the remoteness, the welcome of the propel and their down right honesty. Can be transitional.

    All the best.

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  • John Schretlen

    Great photography/videography, appreciate the commentary and love the honesty.

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  • Sandra & the 2 Spaniels

    Good grief! Who can possibly think that the scenes are all the same? I really enjoy watching your videos. Even the part where you guys dodge sharks! You two make it seems so fun, romantic, and easy to sail like you do. (I don’t want to think about all of the hard work involved!) I especially like Jinga (sp?), tagging along and walking the beach. What a rare cat you have! My cousin recently moved to Florida-she is in love with water, palm trees, and sun.

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  • Tracy H

    Again, outstanding video. Love, love, love your exploits and adventures. Keep em coming folks. BTW, we were told on Andros that the lion fish was invasive and that if you see one, kill it. Didn’t know you could eat them though.

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  • Michael Beal

    We were camping on the northern California coast and a group of us were walking down to the beach to watch the sunset, and share a bottle of wine. One person with us said that she did not want to go. When asked why, she replied “if you’ve seen one sunset that’s enough, they all look alike. It had never crossed mu mind that your video were looking the same. Each is different and very enjoyable to watch. Really enjoyed this one.
    Thanks, Mike

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  • Chuck

    Beautiful! This is one of the best Vlogs ever! Thanks for sharing such beautiful places with us!

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  • Todd

    We have watched all of your videos . We are More into motor homing than sailing but have enjoyed all of them. Great to see new places. Thanks so much for your coverage of all of this. Do you think you will get back into the motor home again? Maybe all of Canada including Newfoundland. Great travels there.

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  • LionHeart. Thompson

    Makes me proud to know that others have a wonderful glorious time in the archipelago of the Bahamas. Sail on be Blessed. Wonderful article ;”JAH guide.Rastafari. .” Yours truly LionHeart Thompson ????

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  • Nancy Fernandez

    Always look forward to the videos. They don’t look the same because you two make it different. Enjoy each one. Nikki a bit loopy in the end 🙂

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  • I can’t believe you’re not taking portraits of all the people you meet??? lol. The folks at the bar would have been awesome!

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  • Deborah Kerr

    Love your cats! Singa was “video bombing” Nikki there on the beach – heard her telling us what a great time she’s having!! What a fun party at the end!! Thanks for the mini-vacation 🙂

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  • Theresa K

    I love the videos, and the FIRST thing I look at is how long they are! Today I was THRILLED to see 26 mins!!! I never think “same ole same ole”, I just sit back and enjoy the video. Loved seeing Nikki tipsy at the end! Your true followers can’t wait for each new shot! Never think you’re boring us, that’s most likely impossible. can’t wait for the next video, is how I end each one.

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  • Warren

    Love the photo’s. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us. We are starting our adventure camping in the everglades. Have you been to bear island campground? Its so relaxing and surrounded with trails and wildlife. We love it!!! Please be safe in your travels/adventures.

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  • Kay T

    Wow! Great video! I really enjoyed! Thank you thank you for correctly calling a hogfish,a hogfish. Drives me crazy when it’s called a hog snapper. Not a snapper , it a wrasse. Lol, little pet peeve of mine.
    A couple quick thoughts for you. When in strong current, one of you stay in boat and follow. Can’t tell you how many wonderful hours I’ve spent drifting thru current cuts ,etc. nutrients are known to flow thru and everything is bigger. It can allow you to follow fish,not get out of breath and boat is close by when you get it! So you don’t have to ” walk on water” to get away from ” the man in the grey suit ” or as Niki called him “the tax collector “. I love that one by the way.
    Also, and I’m sure Francisco will fill you in on this one. Bottom fishing for snapper is great way to go. And no matter how many snapper you end up catching ,you’ll have fun fishing! Just use cut up ,leftover fish carcasses for chum and bait. Or net or use savekie (sp?) rig, to get bait.
    Now, I’d love it if you could give us some idea of your plan heading out ? Are you planning on going straight to Mexico ? Or by way of Cuba ? From Mexico pretty straight south to get out of ” hurricane belt”? I know you like to keep your options open,but you must have some kind of plan in mind. Can you share ? We won’t hold you to anything. Lol
    I know there a bunch of us who would love something from the crew? Bio’s? Communication ? Lastly, how are things going on repairs? When does it look like you might be able to leave ?
    Thanks for letting us join your adventure. Best fishes < Kay T

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  • Sharon

    I am living my dream thru you guys. Everything has been awesome. You are two very special friends of mine, hope to meet sometime. Everything is awesome.
    Fair winds and following seas, always.

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  • Mark Beresford

    There’s nothing better than a slightly sozzled Nikki….brilliant video guys, keep it up.

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  • Sam Walker

    I have enjoyed every one of your vids. Love the tipsy recap at the end. Keep the cards and letters coming.

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  • “I’m in no condition…..” Classic ending! ROTFL 🙂

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  • Connie Woods

    Omgosh! To me every stop is diffrent…I hit play and replay…..love this vid, music….can’t wait until your next adventure! Big Love Always…..your super fan!!!!❤?⚓

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  • Damon

    Loved this episode! Makes me want to be there NOW! Please continue to show the day-to-day things and not just the polished, makeup on parts. I am always interested in the boat maintenance/cost parts of y’all’s adventure because that’s the part that will have to be accounted for at the end of the day. Also, please let us know what you think is great, or not great, about your equipment, boat, etc. as you go along. Why did you pick this over that one? What do you wish ___ would do differently, better, etc. About your boat, they aren’t making that style anymore. They ALL have flying bridges (is that what they are called?) where the cockpit is away from the rest of the people. Would you have preferred that for visibility, or is visibility fine from where your helm is located? Thank you so much. D
    ps. About the YouTube comments: Yeah, duh, its the Bahamas… WTF did those commenting on YouTube think it would look like? Y’all are exploring and taking us along wid U, with great sunrises/sets included. I just love MOTFO responses… Please keep doing what you’re doing. Cheers!
    pps. If’n y’all need something in Ft. Lauderdale, my brother lives about a mile away from Just Cats…

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  • Griz

    Inflatables – particularly high pressure inflatables – are apt to pop a seam when they get overly-hot sitting on land. Very common, particularly if they’ve been in UV rays very long. Gluing and patching (always carry a patch kit) works for emergency purposes, but in the long-term a re-welded seam is the solution.

    A solid kayak (sit on for added unsinkability) or paddleboard probably gets in the way on deck, but is really your better long-term solution. Alpacka makes superb, tough whitewater inflatable (ultra-packable) kayaks, but even those aren’t able to take on a coral reef and win. And UV will attack those over time as well.

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  • George

    I really enjoy the footage of the cats! It’s so cute to see on a leash and lazing around Curiosity.

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  • George Hofmann

    Nikki’s comment about “running” from the sharks! I heard it during the Q&A and giggled then too.
    Nicely done gang. I missed the introduction of the new crew member during the Q&A so please, give that some attention over time. Can’t wait to see what they can do video, photography wise.
    Did you record the return to Florida? How did the passage go?
    Thanks again for sharing the odyssey! Oh, do let us know an itinerary out of Florida. The Q&A was fun!

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