With memories of Shroud Cay still dancing in our heads we headed out for our next adventure to the island of Warderick Wells. Only about a 15 mile journey it was our next stop in the Exuma Land and Sea Park. It also is the site of the park headquarters and visitor’s center.
Warderick Wells mooring ball harbor…pretty!
Bones of a 53 ft sperm whale that died because it ingested plastic bags..sad.
The main anchorage consists only of mooring balls and anchoring is not allowed in the protected harbor. We instead opting again for more privacy decided to anchor out traveling to the south side of the island and had the place to ourselves.
King of the hill!
The island is covered with walking trails and I think that we just about covered all of them!
We walked to the top of “Boo Boo Hill” a place that the locals claim is haunted by the ghosts of a luckless schooner that sunk off of Warderick Wells. All souls perished in the disaster. Not a single body was recovered for a Christian burial. Locals say that if you climb to the crest of the hill on a full moon that you can hear the voices of the lost souls singing hymns.
Boat signs on top of Boo Boo Hill
The top of Boo Boo Hill is also a place where the park has allowed the boaters to leave a memento. Supposedly if you leave a piece of driftwood or other item with your boats name it is an appeasement to the gods and your boat will be blessed. There are hundreds of signs and keepsakes left behind from cruisers dating back many years. This was cool to see. Did we leave something? I have to say no because we still think that you should not leave anything behind but footprints….think I read that somewhere. Hopefully we will be blessed anyways.
A little further along the path are a few blow holes but the surf was not big enough the day of our hike to push any water through them.
Boo Boo Beach
On the south side of the island we hiked along the “wall” to the Davis Plantation Ruins. Pretty cool not much left of it but supposedly it was the ruins of a a plantation from around 1780.
Davis Plantation Ruins
As we hiked around we could easily see why this island was called Warderick Wells because it is riddled with holes and fresh water wells all over. Along one of our hikes we found a makeshift ladder going deep down into one hole and Brian was brave enough to adventure down into it. He said was dark and stinky down there…yuck!
Brian down in big hole, hello there everyone!
One trail took us to what they called the Pirate’s Liar. It was a flat area with lots of palm trees and a small freshwater well. The said that it was once used a a pirate hideout but we forgot to take pictures there. It was pretty cool though.
Walking bridge across flats
Once again we explored lots and had a great time. After spending 3 days here and I think we explored the whole island we planned to head out to Staniel Cay. One of our favorite stops. We’re finding the swimming pigs this time too…yes, I said swimming pigs…you just wait and see…it’s too cool!
Take Care –
Jennifer and Brian
Awesome!