YOU GOT 2 OPTIONS - Ep 195

Are you ready for another exciting episode of sailing adventures? Today, we’re taking you to the beautiful islands of the Bahamas where we’ll be exploring two different ways to sail from one remote island to the next in search of stunning views and breathtaking sights. Stefan Travis, also known as Sailing Gypsy, will be our guide through this uncharted journey.

The Journey Begins

Stefan and Travis find themselves in the stunning Zuma Island Chain, Bahamas, where they have just spent 3 years sailing all over the globe. Covering an incredible distance of 25,000 nautical miles, they are now excited to be back exploring the crystal-clear waters of these beautiful islands. They will be sailing North to Shroud Key which is known for its natural preserved beauty and it’s definitely a spot you won’t want to miss in the Zumas.

Exploring Shroud Key

Shroud Key is part of the Exuma Keys Land and Sea Park, a protected area. This means they’re in store for some pretty nice views as they navigate through the mangroves into a clear shallow lagoon known as The Washing Machine. Here, the tidal flow creates a swirling current that gently tumbles everything in it like a washing machine.

The Tidal Creeks

Staying at Shroud Key was definitely worth the time. The island has a network of Mangrove rivers that stretch for approximately 5 miles and creates a unique and ecologically rich environment which is home to a variety of marine and bird species.

Taking the Bank Route

After enjoying their great time at Shroud Key, they decided this would be as far north in the Exumas that they’d be sailing. They took the bank route, which is usually calmer since it’s less exposed than the sound side or the Atlantic.

Perfect Brio Bread

While on their journey, Travis shared that his brioche bread is glowing right in the sunlight. He’s been experimenting with brioche loaves and this one came out perfect after braiding it. Travis had it cold proofing overnight in the fridge and it turned out fluffy and soft, weighing 6 ounces per loaf.

Navigating the Shallow Channel

During their sailing adventure, they experienced navigating a super shallow channel where there’s only a tiny little section that can fit one boat comfortably. They had to take extra caution as they sailed through this narrow passage.

Two Ways to Sail in the Bahamas

One of the awesome things about sailing the Bahamas is that you usually get two options on how you want to sail. You can either go to the sound side, which is the Atlantic side, or pick the bank side. There are pros and cons to both routes.

The Bank Side Sailing

If you sail along the bank, you’ll be in 20 ft. of water or less. However, that Atlantic swell will also be stopped from the island so you’ll have a nice sea state, but the con is not really having an opportunity to catch anything except Barracuda.

The Sound Side Sailing

If you sail to the sound side or Atlantic side, you can head out into thousand plus feet of water and get a better chance at catching big open ocean fish like Wahoo, Mahi, and Tuna. But, the sea state might be larger and more exposed than sailing on the bank side.

Picking Weather Conditions Wisely

Ultimately, you can pick and choose between these two routes based on your weather conditions. If it’s blowing 20 plus knots, take the bank for a calmer sail but don’t expect to catch fish.

The Hike at Little Bell Key

After this exciting exploration, they headed over to a little island called Little Bell key for some hiking. It’s an approximately two-nautical-mile dinghy ride away from their last Anchorage.

Visiting Johnny Depp’s Island

They were anchored in front of what used to be Johnny Depp’s Island, now called Little Hall’s Pond Key. The island is famously known as being bought by author JK Rowling from its previous owner, Johnny Depp.

An Island Hike

The team enjoyed a good walk on the island and were fortunate to have this private spot all to themselves. After a nice little hike, they headed back to their dinghy for a slightly sporty ride back to their boat Gypsy.

The Grotto Cave

This episode would not have been complete without exploring a natural wonder known as The Grotto. These impressive rock formations were shaped by natural erosion from waves and tides coming from the Atlantic, adding to the breathtaking views along this adventurous sailing journey.

Heading Out

This is where Stefan and Travis had to leave the beautiful sights of Little Hall’s Pond key as they made their way back to Gypsy. They were now ready to head off for another adventure into new territories that neither they nor others have experienced before.

Wind Predictions

The team found it interesting to note the wind predictions in the Caribbean were less than 50% accurate, making their plans quite challenging. Stefan urges viewers to share if they notice this inconsistency in other sailing experiences too.

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