Trip Report #6
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 9:18 am
Sorry this trip is taking so long to report...I don't have enough time to get it all done in one or two sittings...guess I just want to "prolong" the trip and relive it!!!
Mon. Apr.8
this was one of my favorite days ( I say that after every day) I love this plan...go to Waterlemon early get there around 9:30/10:00 , spend a few hours there, and then go to Francis which is right down the road, and spend the rest of the day. We had a nice hike to Waterlemon. Maybe only 3 other little groups on the beach area. Found a spot, donned gear and away we went. Now in our past trips, the water has been crystal clear, but not so this time. don;t know why the water was alittle cloudy. the water wasn't particularly rough or anything. Okay...looking, looking, looking all the way out to the cay and seeing NOTHING!!!! Usually see lots of turtles munching in the sea grass. I was embarrassed for the girls'friend, because we all kept telling her how great this beginning was and how much we see oin the way out!!! NADA!!!
Well, we are all spread out now on the right side of the cay- I am on the far right- and there it is!!!!!!!!!! the biggest turtle I have ever seen!!!!!I shout for everyone( I hate to break the peacefulness, but there was no one else around) Our group swims over and we follow the "Granddaddy turtle" fro quite awhile!!! BONUS- there was a Remora tagging along AND a little shark ( I think) It sure looked like a little shark!!! That was a first for us!
We get around to the other side of the cay where all the starfish are...and guess what????No starfish!!!! Well, there were a few, but not like our past trips. In spite of the murkiness, and lack of starfish, I do love this side of the cay. the coral formations and colorful fish are beautiful I always feel like I am swimming in an aquarium here!!! On the way back to the beach we saw a few more turtles and a few sting rays.
We dried off, dressed and started our trek back to the parking lot, only to be treated by a visit from The Donkey Family- came out from the woods, looked like Mom, Dad and baby!!! the Daddy Donkey came right up to us, but we didn't pet him or anything. Baby was behind him and followed by the Mom. the baby was still all fuzzy, so I guess he wasn't very old.
On to Francis- found a spot with shade and set up camp. the water here is differnet color than the other beaches. Not better or worse, just different- a deeper blue, I think- but still so clear and calm- maybe because of the Mary Pt. on one side., It was so hot here today, had to keep going in the water to cool off. Snorkeled to the left around the rocks, teeming with fish. Later in the day, around 3:30 ish, Husband and I snorkeled out to the right...not along the edge, but followed the grasses out- HIGHLIGHT!!!!! We saw THE BIGGEST TURTLE under the sea!!! He had to be 100 yrs old! I kid you not! This one was even bigger that the one we saw over in Waterlemon!!! Now I am not exagerating her folks...his shell had to be 3 and 1/2 feel wide. It was truly unbelievable...and I didn't have my camera to prove it!!! THEN- we saw a ray just as big as the turtle- It was truly incredible! From then on, as we headed back to shore, we saw 3 more turtles, and 3 more rays... it was best day ever!!! and we truly hit the jackpot as a snorkeling day!!!
To top the day off, we had dinner at ZOZOs- awesome calamari,steaks, mahimahi, scallops.
Mon. Apr.8
this was one of my favorite days ( I say that after every day) I love this plan...go to Waterlemon early get there around 9:30/10:00 , spend a few hours there, and then go to Francis which is right down the road, and spend the rest of the day. We had a nice hike to Waterlemon. Maybe only 3 other little groups on the beach area. Found a spot, donned gear and away we went. Now in our past trips, the water has been crystal clear, but not so this time. don;t know why the water was alittle cloudy. the water wasn't particularly rough or anything. Okay...looking, looking, looking all the way out to the cay and seeing NOTHING!!!! Usually see lots of turtles munching in the sea grass. I was embarrassed for the girls'friend, because we all kept telling her how great this beginning was and how much we see oin the way out!!! NADA!!!
Well, we are all spread out now on the right side of the cay- I am on the far right- and there it is!!!!!!!!!! the biggest turtle I have ever seen!!!!!I shout for everyone( I hate to break the peacefulness, but there was no one else around) Our group swims over and we follow the "Granddaddy turtle" fro quite awhile!!! BONUS- there was a Remora tagging along AND a little shark ( I think) It sure looked like a little shark!!! That was a first for us!
We get around to the other side of the cay where all the starfish are...and guess what????No starfish!!!! Well, there were a few, but not like our past trips. In spite of the murkiness, and lack of starfish, I do love this side of the cay. the coral formations and colorful fish are beautiful I always feel like I am swimming in an aquarium here!!! On the way back to the beach we saw a few more turtles and a few sting rays.
We dried off, dressed and started our trek back to the parking lot, only to be treated by a visit from The Donkey Family- came out from the woods, looked like Mom, Dad and baby!!! the Daddy Donkey came right up to us, but we didn't pet him or anything. Baby was behind him and followed by the Mom. the baby was still all fuzzy, so I guess he wasn't very old.
On to Francis- found a spot with shade and set up camp. the water here is differnet color than the other beaches. Not better or worse, just different- a deeper blue, I think- but still so clear and calm- maybe because of the Mary Pt. on one side., It was so hot here today, had to keep going in the water to cool off. Snorkeled to the left around the rocks, teeming with fish. Later in the day, around 3:30 ish, Husband and I snorkeled out to the right...not along the edge, but followed the grasses out- HIGHLIGHT!!!!! We saw THE BIGGEST TURTLE under the sea!!! He had to be 100 yrs old! I kid you not! This one was even bigger that the one we saw over in Waterlemon!!! Now I am not exagerating her folks...his shell had to be 3 and 1/2 feel wide. It was truly unbelievable...and I didn't have my camera to prove it!!! THEN- we saw a ray just as big as the turtle- It was truly incredible! From then on, as we headed back to shore, we saw 3 more turtles, and 3 more rays... it was best day ever!!! and we truly hit the jackpot as a snorkeling day!!!
To top the day off, we had dinner at ZOZOs- awesome calamari,steaks, mahimahi, scallops.
