We finally got a good weather window Monday to cross to the Berry Islands. We set out at 3pm and had a smooth, uneventful crossing. Thank the sea gods (and I did, with rum)! We arrived a little faster than planned, so Dave had to slow us down to under 1 KW on each motor and circle for a while until the sun came up and we could safely anchor in Bullock’s Harbor at Great Harbor Cay.
While we were crossing, the Bahamian PM held a news conference and extended the emergency orders already in place and taking effect that very day (Tuesday). The country is now on 24-hour stay at home, other than 90 minutes/day allowed outside maintaining at least 6 feet from others, or for essentials like food or medicine. Cruisers are allowed to take on fuel and water and go ashore for groceries (or medicine). Gatherings of more than 10 are banned. All non-essential businesses are closed (including liquor stores 😱) as are schools and churches. Nobody is allowed into the country. Currently there are several only 10 confirmed or suspected cases of COVID- one recent in Grand Bahama, the rest in Nassau.
Since we didn’t need provisions and couldn’t explore the area, and there was no good snorkeling nearby, we opted to move Wednesday to a series of (mostly) uninhabited islands. We were anchored off Devil’s Cay Wed-Fri nights and today moved over to Hoffman’s Cay about 3 miles north. We’re isolated but not alone as there are about a dozen boats anchored in this area, all doing our due diligence and socially distancing. There are several sandy beaches to explore as well as some decent snorkeling.
This is the most relaxed I’ve felt in a long time. Getting back into and under the water has helped. I find it very calming to explore the undersea realm. I still worry, just less so, about the pandemic, reprovisioning, and whether we will be better off staying in the Bahamas longer or heading back to the States. For now, we still have provisions for 2-3 weeks and can get at least some back in Great Harbor Cay (about a 5 hour cruise away). We have intermittent cell coverage allowing us contact with family, friends and news, but we can’t hang on it every hour. Most importantly, I am thoroughly enjoying daily excursions on and under the sea as well as the relaxation of staying in one beautiful place for multiple days.
Stay safe and healthy and take care of each other!
Life on Lady 
Glad to hear you are doing okay and are able to do the trip, maybe not exactly as you had hoped. Take care of yourselves!
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