Deep in the Mangroves

If you have ever seen the movie, “The African Queen,” you will know the feeling we had when we landed at Shroud Cay.  It is an island of dense vast mangroves that connect the calm crystal waters of the Exuma Bank with the Atlantic Ocean.  The anchorage was a little difficult to get to as we were dodging coral heads all the way in, but once we set anchor it was terrific holding.  We had a peaceful night’s sleep and decided to go adventuring the next morning as we were waiting for high tide so we could dinghy into the deep back areas. 

We had no idea how crystal clear some of these waterways would be going back into the mangrove areas.  It was as if we were in a swimming pool.  There were parts that were so shallow we had to walk the dinghy through them to get deeper into the mangroves.  When we reached the end of one of the waterways, we discovered a secluded beach that led to the Exuma Sound.  It was incredibly isolated and provided a picturesque view.  With sand so soft, it was as if walking in quicksand.  As we ventured through some of the waterways, we came across incredible marine life: a 4’ black tip reef shark, a sea turtle and one waterway that led us to the hatchlings of probably a million little fish.  It felt as if we were in the middle of the Amazon.

Making our way into the mangroves

An enchanted secluded beach we came upon

We were loving every minute of the sun and sea

Toes in the Sand  ~Jimmy Buffet

Entering Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park

Jim loving the power of that 4-stroke 15 hp motor

We are getting there

Thousands of hatchlings

 

Millions of Hatchlings

 

A Closer Look

Hard to see, but in the upper left corner is the tail of the black tip shark we came across

Jim rowing the dinghy in shallow water

What a great day to explore the mangroves

Deep in the mangroves

A cool view of the mangroves