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Adderlys Cut is just about the last safe access to the Exuma Sound for points south. On the inside, the banks becomes too shallow for reliable navigation. Adderlys has a working light tower and a wide, deep cut which makes it good for most weather conditions. The trip from Adderlys to Georgetown on Great Exuma Island is about 25 miles of open ocean, but cruised within a few miles of shore. On February 3rd, we had moderate winds and a reasonably settle sea state. Heide and Francesca set out for what would turn out to be our southernmost destination. Southermost perhaps, but far from the end of the Bahamas adventure.

Enroute, we put out two fishing lines. Then, ten miles out of George Town, a school of about 25 dolphin off our beam were jumping and racing toward the bait. We had a double hookup and boated two 15 pounders. Thanking one for its sacrifice and letting the other go, these fish never fail to make me sorry I've caught them. They are so beautiful, but as they pass, so also fades their beauty. We needed some fish on board though and were thankful for it.

The entrance to Elizabeth Harbor and George Town is written about with special warning and we were a little nervous about crossing the reef and bar. However, even for this newby, with the settled weather and noon day sun, navigating the entrance and harbor turned out to be pretty simple. Yet, it was easy to see how, with adverse conditions, you could put yourself on a reef. George Town is the largest settlement in the Exumas. I remember reading somewhere the population and I think it's around 3000 souls. The harbor is host to around 400 cruising boats this time of year and is the greatest supporter of the George Town economy. There are a couple modest hotels, an airport, several restaurants, three liquor stores, a marina and a great dinghy dock. The people of this little community are very nice and you are made to feel welcome.

In at least one of the cruising guides there is a comment that cruisers either love or hate George Town. Upon our arrival, I couldn't understand why it wouldn't be loved by all. There are so many good places to anchor that even with 400 boats in the harbor, you seldom felt much restriction. The harbor is about a mile wide and stretches several miles in length with smaller cays in the middle to provide a variety of anchorages. When the winds blow off of the sound, boats huddle in the lee of Stocking Island and when it shifts, they huddle elsewhere appropriately. So, with the approach of strong wind conditions, there is an ordered, but randomly timed shifting about of boats.