Big Sand Cay
26-02-2011 until 03-03-2011
Big Sand Cay is an uninhabited island at the easternmost tip of the Turks and Caicos. It is mainly used by sailors as a transit island to get from Turks and Caicos to the Dominican Republic (DR). Using this island knocks 25 nautical miles off the 125 miles needed to get to the DR. We planned to do the same, arriving late in the afternoon to leave again the next day for the Dominican Republic. Once we arrived however, we were immediately enchanted. This hidden pearl in the middle of the Atlantic kept us in her spell for one week, and what a treat.
What makes it into such a special place? Its most important charm is the fact that there is absolutely nothing there. The only evidence of mankind’s existence a is rusty pile of collapsed steel that used to be a lighthouse and layers upon layers of washed up debris on the ocean beaches. Apart from that it is just stunningly beautiful, even more so because we were not prepared for it by our cruising guides. Exquisite beaches of the softest sand, white cliffs, hills inhabited by miniature cactus and very good snorkling and spearfishing. We shot the biggest lobsters we had ever seen, got chased out of the water by oversized and very aggressive barracudas and even swam with a whale + calf (only Gnirrep, as the rest of us are not that brave/stupid). One of our highlights was catching a large Ocean Triggerfish bare-handedly, or at least only with use of bamboo poles we found on the beach. They have led to some violent looking pictures :)
What made our stay complete was the fact that we shared our visit with 3 other boats, all waiting for calm weather to cross over to the Dominican Republic. It was a mixed bunch of Quebecois (I dare not say Canadians), Polish-Americans and a Brazilian, all enjoying their sailing adventure in their own way. We met up often for beach-picnics, football and BBQ’s. Eventually we all crossed over to the DR together, where we have all gone our own ways again. Hope we meet again!
Big Sand Cay is an uninhabited island at the easternmost tip of the Turks and Caicos. It is mainly used by sailors as a transit island to get from Turks and Caicos to the Dominican Republic (DR). Using this island knocks 25 nautical miles off the 125 miles needed to get to the DR. We planned to do the same, arriving late in the afternoon to leave again the next day for the Dominican Republic. Once we arrived however, we were immediately enchanted. This hidden pearl in the middle of the Atlantic kept us in her spell for one week, and what a treat.
What makes it into such a special place? Its most important charm is the fact that there is absolutely nothing there. The only evidence of mankind’s existence a is rusty pile of collapsed steel that used to be a lighthouse and layers upon layers of washed up debris on the ocean beaches. Apart from that it is just stunningly beautiful, even more so because we were not prepared for it by our cruising guides. Exquisite beaches of the softest sand, white cliffs, hills inhabited by miniature cactus and very good snorkling and spearfishing. We shot the biggest lobsters we had ever seen, got chased out of the water by oversized and very aggressive barracudas and even swam with a whale + calf (only Gnirrep, as the rest of us are not that brave/stupid). One of our highlights was catching a large Ocean Triggerfish bare-handedly, or at least only with use of bamboo poles we found on the beach. They have led to some violent looking pictures :)
What made our stay complete was the fact that we shared our visit with 3 other boats, all waiting for calm weather to cross over to the Dominican Republic. It was a mixed bunch of Quebecois (I dare not say Canadians), Polish-Americans and a Brazilian, all enjoying their sailing adventure in their own way. We met up often for beach-picnics, football and BBQ’s. Eventually we all crossed over to the DR together, where we have all gone our own ways again. Hope we meet again!