Hiatus in The Bahamas

Pig Beach Big Majors Cay  If you have ever seen a brochure, a website, or a YouTube video of The Bahamas, you probably have seen the famous swimming pigs of Big Majors Cay.   Brought by pirates in the Golden Age of Bucaneers... No, it wasn't like that at all.  Many families on Staniel Cay had a pigpen.  When tourism began picking up in the late 1960's the residents thought to move the smell to nearby Tom Cay.  But, the pigs swam back.  So, they were resettled to Big Majors Cay.  It was a good location.  The pigs thrived and learned to swim out to the residents' approaching boats, which nearly always carried treats.   The relationship between pigs and people remained agrarian and small scale.  Cruisers visiting Staniel Cay often anchor at Big Majors and they discovered the pigs on shore that swam out to meet their approaching dinghies.  But, word was not passed around broadly, until the age of smartphones and social media a...

 Thunderball Grotto     This morning low tide, which is the best time to see the Grotto, came early.  The skies were partly overcast.  The combination allowed us to have the Grotto to ourselves!     The Grotto is located between Big Majors and Staniel Cay.  Along with "Pig Beach" (video coming), it is a must see in the Staniel Cay area.

  How to Swim with Sharks   Francine, we aren’t on Lake Michigan anymore. Sharks.   They’re everywhere.   Under the boat.   Under the dock.   Passing below the paddle board.   Circling the snorkel spot.   To swim in Bahama waters, is to swim with sharks. How?   Carefully, of course.   First, learn your sharks .     There are three kinds around, though one is seldom seen. First, bull sharks .   The scary shark.   “REACTION TO DIVERS:   Wary; generally move away when approached, but may make close pass.   Considered dangerous, especially in the vicinity of spearfishing activities.”   Reef Fish Identification. “Since bull sharks often dwell in very shallow waters, are found in many types of habitats, are territorial by nature, and have no tolerance for provocation, they may be more dangerous to humans than any other species of shark.   Along with the tiger shark and great white sh...