Rough inlet by Rudder Cut Cay. The waves were coming out, instead of in, like we thought they would based on what we were experiencing on the outside. Ben had it under control and it wasn't a big deal. It just took a little bit of manual steering.
Went by the caves Lori and 4 of the kids explored a few weeks ago when we were here and anchored in the exact same spot. We picked up speed cruising by and knew the current was strong.
I prepped the snorkel gear for me and the kids. Lori told me she hoped the current was in our favor for exploring and to look for the big conchs moving along the floor. Since we knew the current was strong when we came in, we planned for Ben to take us to the further of the caves, unload there, and have him follow nearby on the tender, ready to rescue any of us.
Last time, the kids couldn't make it around the corner against the current to the large cave, so we figured we could ride the Chicken over to that one and work our way back with the current.
On our way over, I pointed out a sharp rock at the surface, so the kids could be aware of it. Ben told us to go between that rock and the island rather than further out in the water to avoid the current.
The big cave was so shallow. We could stand as soon as we god off the Chicken and there was a little beach area- even just after high tide. Looking up, there were several skylight holes, with trees peeking through. It was so pretty! We snorkeled out of the cave and toward the channel.
Roo spotted some giant conchs. We were watching them move along the sand, leaving tracks behind. Then, I realized their eyes were out! They looked like coral popping out from under the shell. Their eye stalks were so thick. It popped its eyes in and then came back out again. I was so excited that Roo and I both got to see that. Thanks, Lori, for telling us fun things to look for!
Then, coming around a corner, we saw that sharp surface rock we spotted on the way over, but the rock was so tall and wide under the water. I wanted to go on the water side instead because it was closer and I wouldn't have to go against the current. I was telling Ben that I changed my plan and when I put my head in, I was probably 4 feet from a sea turtle!! The water was so clear and perfect for viewing the beautiful creature! I screamed and grabbed Roo so she could see it. Moose and Bear saw it too. I was closest to it. Moose swam after it with the camera, but he didn’t have it on. They were not as excited to see it as Roo and I were, since they watched several turtles eating sea grass for a while the last time they were there.
When we got to the side of the island where we could see our boat, the current was awful. I was kicking so hard and told Roo I needed her to also. (When we snorkel, she holds onto my life vest and I swim us around.) It hardly made a difference and it just made me anxious thinking about how much we were splashing, thinking we would attract sharks. 😂
When my head was out of water looking to see where Bear and Moose were, I spotted another turtle, this time much further out- popping its head out of the water. Roo saw it too. We could barely see it as it swam to the second cave.
Once we got to the second cave, we looked underwater at it, and didn’t go in. Everyone was worn out and done, so we climbed in the tender and came back.
It's okay that our snorkel adventure didn't last long because I saw what I wanted to see! I'm so happy we came back to do that. I missed out last time because I had just washed my hair and didn't want to get in the salty water. 🙃
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