Wednesday, May 19, 1993

We approached Lighthouse Reef with some trepidation. It surrounds an atoll 25 miles long and 4 1/2 miles wide. Far too many ships have come to untimely ends on its hard coral. We had a good chart, though, that showed where the passages and anchorages were.
We dropped anchor in 20 feet of water about 1/4 mile from Half Moon Cay. This place is just like the travel brochures. The water is several shades of the most beautiful blue and so clear we can easily see the anchor and chain lying on the bottom. The air is clean and sweet. The little islands or "cays" are covered with coconut palms. The sky is clear blue, the sun warm, the breeze caressing. This is the sort of place people go cruising to get to.
The area we're in is a bird sanctuary and ecological reserve. There's a lighthouse on Half Moon Cay that was built in 1849 and is about to fall apart. No one lives on the cay except the lighthouse keeper, the park warden, and their families. Dive boats bring scuba divers here from the mainland. The diving is excellent.
We paddled to Half Moon Cay and walked over to the old lighthouse.
It's a shame it's been so neglected. Then we paddled out to the old freighter that grounded on the reef decades ago and is gradually rusting away.
When we returned to the boat, we swam and snorkeled for a while.
Then we ate lunch and relaxed in the shade.
Later in the afternoon, we paddled back to Half Moon Cay and walked out the trail to the observation platform. It's made of wood and has recently been rebuilt, so it's in good condition. We climbed up to the platform and were at the level of the treetops. Saw lots of large birds perched in the trees or flying around. Most of them were red-footed boobies, cousins to the blue-footed boobies we saw on our trip to Acapulco three years ago. These didn't seem to be as clumsy, but then, we didn't see any running over the ground, trying to take off. These took off from the trees, which is much easier.
Walked down the trail to the Southern Beach. Saw an iguana scurrying over the rocks and some bright red land crabs, carrying big shells on their backs.
Returned to the boat and swam and snorkeled some more in this lovely clear water. What a delightful, lazy day!

Pictures and touring information on Lighthouse Reef