Swain Reefs (Google Earth)

We slipped our lines at 5:30AM, leaving Keppel Bay for Island Head Creek where we’ll overnight tonight. The plan is to stop off at Pearl Bay for lunch and a swim. If the anchorage is not too rolly we may sleep there tonight, otherwise we’ll go into Island Head Creek on the flood tide at sunset. We managed to sail about 4 hours this morning in a gentle easterly, but now we’re motoring with about 10 miles to go the Pearl Bay.

Tomorrow we’ll head directly out to the Swain Reefs via Bell Cay. It’s about 60 miles and i want to get there with the sun still high in the sky so we can see the reefs. The forecast is perfect – winds light and variable and clear skies for the next 7 days. Locals tell me this weather pattern can linger for a fortnight or more!