Anegada to Cooper Island via Guana Island – January 23rd

We woke early so that we could pack a lot in to the day as well as get to our destination in time for a birthday celebration. We headed out of Anegada at about 6:45am and had a beautiful sail down to Guana Island. We headed through the channel between Guana Island and Great Camanoe then turned to the west and came around Monkey point and tied up on mooring balls for some excellent snorkeling.

We knew that there would be lots of marine activity because we were watching pelicans diving into the water in the area of the reefs. In anticipation we quickly put on our snorkeling equipment and swam over to the reefs.

In addition to seeing schools of thousands, millions, of small fish we saw a variety of species. At one point I turned my head to the left and there were three enormous fish. I must say, it was a little scary to see them out of the corner of my eye only a few feet away. But at the same time it was impressive.

After snorkeling we had a good lunch, which undoubtedly included salami, and then asked our birthday crew member where they would like to head for the rest of the day. The decision was made – Cooper island. We had had a great time there last year so we set sail. We headed east between Beef island and Little Camanoe then turned SSE and on to Cooper island. As we were heading across Sir Francis Drake Channel a brief storm hit. Torrential rain for 5 minutes followed by sunshine.

We were having a pattern of activity on the boat. I decided some days ago that I needed to wash my socks – not that I was really wearing socks much of the time. So socks were put in a bucket of sea water on the stern of the boat so that they could gently agitate in our “washing machine” while we were sailing. After cleaning, they were hung out to dry on the lifelines. Just as they were about to become dry, a storm would hit and they would be put through another freshwater rinse cycle. Alas, again my socks were rinsed and again had to wait another day for a dry pair. Just so long as I had one clean pair for our journey home.

After arriving at Cooper Island we headed into shore where we were to pay our mooring fee. At this location one has to go to the bar to make payment. So while we were there we had to try their version of the painkiller. After dinner we returned to our boat and had an evening of relaxation. At one point three of us decided that an evening swim would be refreshing so we jumped off the stern in the darkness.