Leaving Little Harbour, our next stop was an easy cruise of 15 Nautical Miles taking 2 hours at 7.5 knots. During the cruise we were treated to a dolphin show. About 10 dolphins, including a few calves, played in our bow wake and jumped completely out of the water in front of us. Things like this will never get old and we were so amazed at each jump and leap!
Hope Town, located on Elbow Cay, is a small village in the Abaco Islands with a population of just under 500. Golf carts are the main mode of transportation and most supplies are brought in once a week by barge. Three Sons picked up a very protected mooring at Hope Town Inn and Marina.
The moorings policy is first come first serve and we were by far not the first folks in. On our first try, we picked up a mooring only to realize it was labeled ‘private.’ We were diligent and finally found a ball that we were able to grab. The moorings were tight and it was definitely a case of being able to ‘pass the Gray Poupon.” The marina had a great pool with swim up bar and nice restaurant. We enjoyed a pool day with Who Dat and dinner the night prior.
Our boat neighbors dinghied over to us to tell us about a St. Patty’s/Fundraiser Event at On Da Beach Bar. We grabbed our green shirts and took the walk over. The bar was a great venue and packed. We chatted with other cruisers and vacationers while enjoying some live music.
Along with Who Dat, we took the 3.5 NM dinghy ride over to Tahiti Sand Bar to check it out. Wow! A great spot where you walk around in shallow, clear water in the Abaco Sea and the peninsula beach is covered with fine white sand. The Almond Joy Rita from the The Thirsty Cuda, a floating bar, was absolutely delicious! Of course, there was a swing!
We toured the island both on golf cart and foot with Scott and Amy from Who Dat. We stopped multiple times including a lunch stop at the Firefly Resort. The island was decimated by hurricane Dorian in 2019. Five years later, the aftermath is still visible. Devastation and empty lots lay between brand new structures and everywhere you turn you see construction. Listening to some locals tell their stories of survival and rebuilding is definitely heart wrenching.
It is not all fun and umbrella drinks! After we picked up the mooring ball, we heard some strange noise and after listening closely we realized it was the bilge pump! Opening the hatch to the engine room, we discovered hot water spraying everywhere. After further investigation Bob discovered a hose clamp and the back up clamp came undone. Luckily a quick and inexpensive fix but it was a tight squeeze to reach the hose.
We toured Elbow Reef Light House which sits on the bank of Elbow Cay. One hundred stairs to the top to see the only active and manned oil fueled light station in the world. The lens is hand wound every three hours by a keeper and fueled by kerosene. Three Sons could also be viewed moored in the harbor with many other boats.
