Friday morning arrived with that familiar mix of early-morning adrenaline and the methodical rhythm of pre-departure checks. We moved through the cabin and across the decks of Jubilee, ensuring every latch was secure and every system was go. Our destination: George Town, Great Exuma.
To get there, we had to leave the shallow, protective “nursery” of the inner Exuma banks and commit to the Exuma Sound. This meant timing the “Cut”—the narrow passage where the shallow bank meets the deep Atlantic. We had been patiently stalking the weather apps, waiting for the perfect calm window to avoid the infamous “rages” these cuts can produce. When the window finally opened, we took it.
The wind decided to meet us right on the nose, which meant our sails stayed tucked away. For ten hours, the hum of the engine was our constant soundtrack. While the noise is never “fun,” the trade-off was a sea that behaved beautifully; the waves remained small and rhythmic, turning what could have been a grueling passage into a pleasant, steady trek.
We weren’t alone in the deep blue, however. We moved in a majestic caravan, a line of friends stretched across the horizon. SV Tangent took the lead, followed by our “primo” buddy boat SV Driftwood, then us on Jubilee, with SV Traveler bringing up the rear. There is a profound sense of peace that comes from looking across the water and seeing your community right there with you.
Just before 17:00, we navigated through Conch Cay Cut and into Elizabeth Harbour. The sight was a total shock to the system. After weeks of secluded anchorages, we were greeted by a virtual city of masts—more boats than we have seen in our entire journey combined. It felt like every cruiser in the Western Hemisphere had decided to drop anchor in the same spot!
It took some hunting and a few slow circles to find a “neighborhood” with enough swinging room, but we eventually let the chain fly and set the hook. While the crowd is a bit of a surprise, the perks of “civilization” are calling to us—specifically the legendary Exuma Market. After weeks of shopping in grocery stores the size of small garden sheds, the prospect of a full-sized produce aisle feels like a luxury.
But more than the groceries, we are hunting for “kid boats.” We’re eager to find more families for the boys to laugh, play, and explore with. For the next week or so, this crowded, beautiful harbor is home, and we can’t wait to see what George Town has in store for us.
