Horseshoe Reef,
Tobago Cays
12.27.838N
61.21.427W

For the last couple of days, we debated where we wanted to pin ourselves down when the predicted tropical wave came through this area. The winds aren’t supposed to be particularly high but high enough that we wanted to be somewhere safe (forecasts have been known to be wrong).

So this morning, Foreclosure, DocNoMore, Cloud Nine and we hoisted anchor and headed towards the Tobago Cays. Foreclosure had been there before and assured us that although the only protection that we would have is behind a reef, there would be deep sand to set our anchors into, unlike some of the larger island anchorages where the holding is iffy at best. We’d also have the reef to dive for recreation waiting for the wave to pass instead of stuffing our faces in Bequia.
The sail was incredible. Eighteen - 20kts on the beam with relatively flat seas. At one point, we were streaking along at 8.7kts. although generally we were doing between 7-8kts.

The Tobago Cays are hardly more than oversized rocks protected by reefs on each of their windward sides. Once we arrived, we lowered our sails and turned on the engine to weave our way through to the anchorage. I was a little apprehensive at first due to the desert island appearance I could see. I could tell from the chart plotter that we were to enter a channel to pass between two islands and then curve right around one of the islands to pass between it and a third before entering the anchorage. However, from a distance, it all looked like one continuous island.

With Dale on the bow and both of us wearing our radio headsets, we dodged coral heads and what appeared to be shallow spots. We snaked our way through the channel and then turned right. There before us lay the most beautiful anchorage I‘ve ever seen. The water was the electric blue and teal color that we’ve only found in the Bahamas before. The anchorage itself was large. The 3 or 4 small islands that bordered the anchorage were deserted except for on their white sand beaches where we could see a few people here and there. A couple of turtles popped their heads up to see who the newcomers where.

There were already 20 or so boats inside with more than enough room to add a few more with plenty of room to swing. We snuggled as close to the reef as we dared and dropped the hook in 10’ of crystal clear water. Needless to say, it grabbed and sunk in quickly, giving the Palace’s bow that satisfying jerk that tells us that we weren’t going anywhere easily. We let out 10 to 1 scope, preparing for the worse, should it appear.

After a long day of sailing (you know how fresh air and exercise will kill you), we’ll save our exploring until tomorrow and just relax this evening.