We waited until 9am to sail out of the Rum Cay anchorage in order to have (moderately) good light and avoid coral heads. We were looking forward to get to Conception Island, a paradise within paradise, as stated in Monty Lewis’ Explorer Chart kit of the Far Bahamas.

Conception Island lies off the mouth of the Exumas sound where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. This island is a National Park. Inhabited...with the exception of turtles, rays, and sharks. The first stunning experience arriving to the island is a band of brightly turquoise water surrounding its purely white beaches…the contrast with the purplish indigo deep waters is amazing. Even Wendy and Ian, who sailed the Pacific and the Indian Ocean, claimed that this is a unique sight! There are several boats anchored here and the conditions are ideal” nice easterly breeze, no swell…perfect for exploring. The beach has white pinkish and ultra fine sand…and the surrounding hilly terrain is covered with small sisal palm trees – typical for the Bahamas. We walk and swim with our friends and days go by…looking at several sunsets, with green flashes included!!

An excursion not to be missed is in the creek of the island interior. Together with Lutz and Gaby, we enter the area around noon, with about 4 inches under our dingy keel!!! And we spend the whole afternoon exploring the creek, surrounded by a very large number of turtles (green turtles) and also sight several sharks (nurse?) in the shallow waters. The mood of this creek is amazing and pictures are the best descriptors!