Antigua- Deep Bay and Jolly Harbor

From Falmouth we daysailed to Deep Bay to dive a wreck there. On the way, we passed just outside a reef on the south coast. As we were sailing, I saw a whale spout off in the distance between us and the reef. Cary, Ginny and Tricia scrambled to get a look while I got the camera. There were 2 whales, which looked to be of a good size. Based on the forward angle of the spout and the small dorsal fin, I think they were sperm whales. They are supposedly common here this time of year. The really cool thing is one of them was TOTALLY WHITE! I saw Moby Dick! I claim the gold doubloon that Ahab nailed to the mast. Unfortunately, they were gone before we got any pictures. But I have witnesses! (Tricia) - And while poor Mat was flying to get the camera, the rest of us got the one and only fluke wave goodbye!

Deep Bay was a beautiful round anchorage. We pulled right up to the beach, anchoring 30 yards offshore in 15 feet of water. About 100 yards behind us is a large wreck in 20-30 feet. Ginny, Cary and I dove. Unfortunately, the visibility was very poor, less than 5 feet at the base of the wreck. So we bailed out and had lunch. I did manage to replace the propeller zinc while I had the tank out. Good for G & C to dive with poor visibility, as they've never had that experience before. All good learning!

After lunch, we had a lovely sail to Jolly Harbor where we anchored outside. I took the dinghy in and cleared out of Antigua since we planned to leave in the morning. Very convenient location for Customs in the yellow building up the channel as you enter the harbor. Plenty of space for the dinghy, and everything right there at the dock.

We did end up coming into the harbor with Music, as we ran our starboard water tank dry and couldn't get suction on the port tank. The marina was nice enough to let us top up the starboard tank, for a price,  even though it was after hours. We were grateful that water was available (they've been restricting water to cruisers due to a draught), and that they let us take up their valuable time off. Once at the dock the port tank was working fine and was completely full. Go figure. After getting over the panic of having little water left for a passage, we left the dock to anchor back out in the harbor, got a good night's sleep, and were off to St. Barts by 4 AM.