Warderick Wells is a strong, stick-with-you kind of name. Perhaps an English castle or dramatic film series but alas, it’s the headquarters of the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park and our next sailing destination.
While the name of the island sounds sophisticated and chic, it’s the main attractions that send my inner tween into a fit of giggles. It’s hard not to be excited about tantalizing hikes such as Boo Boo hill dominated by blow holes. Then there’s snorkeling at Brad’s Reef at Long Cay…maybe finish the day off at Mooring Ball #9? Oh, and there’s a sperm whale too!
Ok, sorry. I am sending the tween back to her room so we can get to the exploring already. You’ll probably want a cold beverage, sunscreen and a pair of shades before hitting the play button on this one.
After this experience, we fully understand and appreciate the words crystal clear water. Seriously, have you ever seen anything more mesmerizing? If it wasn’t for the salt, I swear I could stick a swirly straw in it and slurp away.
The Stromatolites
If I hadn’t looked them up before entering the park, I would have swum right over these layered mounds of sheet-like rocks, and not thought a thing about them. However, they are an ancient and rare form of early life of earth. Formed by the growth of layer upon layer of a single-celled microbe. It’s these moments that knowing the importance or significance of something that makes it interesting and exciting.
The Sperm Whale
Did you know sperm whales have the largest brains of any animal? This 53’ skeleton sadly died after swallowing a plastic bag. Yep, a plastic bag…and you honestly don’t want to know how many of them we have seen floating around in the ocean. It’s heartbreaking. We can only sail circles picking up so many of them. So, we use this as a friendly reminder to use our canvas grocery bags and ask for a paper bag if we should forget. Hopefully, the next whale we see will be a live one swimming side-by-side with us in the ocean!
Sailing Report
Dates: February 13 & 14 (yep, Valentines Day) 2017
Nautical Miles Sailed: 19 from Shroud Cay
Anchorages: Between Malabar Cays & Emerald Rock
Cell & WiFi: Our BTC signal was non existent without our booster on. Always exciting to go from no service to downloading emails with the switch of button!
Gear Used In This Video
- iPad Pro using Garmin Bluecharts App (and Active Captain): http://amzn.to/2d9Oopf
- Iridium Go and Predict Wind App for weather and communications: bit.ly/PredictWindIridium
- Portable Floating VHF w/GPS: http://amzn.to/2hwEoK7
- Dinghy: gonewiththewynns.com/dinghy-swap-ab-highfield
- Insulated Backpack: gonewiththewynns.com/product/thermal-totes-cooler-packs
- Snorkle/Dive Gear
- Hammerhead Free-Dive Mask With Camera Mount: http://amzn.to/2d5C6SB
- Hammerhead Free-Dive J Snorkel: http://amzn.to/2cjh3dV
- Jason’s Omer Freediving Fins: http://amzn.to/2kIhljK
- Nikki’s Sporasub Freediving Fins: http://amzn.to/2kIYmlf
Cameras Used to Capture This Video:
- Sony A7ii: http://bit.ly/a7rii-sony
- Sony Zoom Mic: https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/product/sony-gun-zoom-microphone-black
- Sony 24 – 70mm f4 lens: http://bit.ly/2470-zeiss
- Sony Action Cam: http://bit.ly/sony-as300
- All of our up to date photo and editing gear: gonewiththewynns.com/best-travel-camera-video-photography
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