Bahamas - Great Inagua, Diving for Lobster

A look at the weather, and we saw that we had a weather window of 1-2 days to head the the south section of Great Inagua to do some Lobster diving. Thereafter we have a big blow coming through and we need to be safely anchored on the western shore in the bays.

We waited for the DockMaster George to arrive for work at 8am, and paid him the mooring fee of $10 per boat per night, and George helped us cast off

 

As we left, looking back at Sojourn at her dock

Meshugga leaving the Harbor, (thank Karen for this photo)

Looking back at the entrance to the Harbor (photos for our future reference)

The Mailboat dock on the RHS were we have to tie up

Along the way Nicholas prepping lures for fishing

Arriving at our anchorage for the day/night at Conch Shell Bay we had to cross a bar. Sojourn was safely in and when we went in, it was 2 hours before low - we touched hard numerous times and had to power through. Hope the skegs are not too damaged!

Inside the cut, a beautiful white beach and very protected waters

We went for a dive, and it was a wonderful dive for seeing fish, but no Lobster for anyone

(thanks Karen for the photo)

Sunset.

We had Karen and Duane aboard for a Chicken and Turkey Wings BBQ with sides and Fresh Fruit Salad and Ice Cream for Dessert

Karen’s suggestion was that, tomorrow, we go diving at a further reef in the morning using our big dinghy, but then we would miss the tide to get out of the anchorage. Sojourn only draws 4 foot, we are 5.5 foot, so a dive and a later departure was not good for Meshugga. We also did not want to get trapped in the anchorage as when the wind rises, the swell breaks in the cut and would make a departure dangerous for Meshugga.

So, on the high tide at 8.30 am we left, thankfully with no grounding. Sojourn came too.

We had decided to head more east to another anchorage, but the swell was terrible and we were heading straight into the wind. We persevered for 15 minutes only making 1 mile under motor, and as it was 10 miles to the next anchorage both Sojourn and us, gave up and called it a day, turning around.

These two photos of Meshugga show the swell and the pitch movement even on our boat

(Thanks Karen for these photos)

Sojourn headed back to Matthew Town. We decided to stop at a reef and try our hand at diving again.

Jenny helping Nicholas by applying Vaseline to his top lip to help his mask seal with his short beard

Diving, the clarity of the water was amazing. Pole Spear for spearing Lobster

I think these are File Fish

Lots of beautiful Fan Corals

?? I’ll have to look this one up

This one too

Nicholas diving in every hole to find those elusive Lobsters

After an hour I’m back aboard the dinghy and Jenny is still suntanning

Keeping watch on Nicholas

 

Heading back to Meshugga

Nicholas’s amazing haul. 8 Lobsters, 3 Huge and 5 Big and 1 Coral Trout.

The Coral Trout, dressed, filleted was 2kg.

We went out again after this photo was taken and Nicholas dived out the 8th Lobster (not shown)

I was most happy that I had spotted 1 Lobster and called Nicholas to come shoot it.

The cigarette box in the photo is so you can see how large these Lobsters are

Two of the biggest, they weighed 5 pounds and 5.5 pounds

Having cleaned, vacuumed sealed and frozen the Tails, we steamed the heads. We discarded the head and had a feast of Legs and Antennas prior to dinner

Definitely the best haul of Lobster in the Bahamas ever!!!!