I had heard about swimming in the Baths in a tourist magazine I picked up, not really understanding what they were I purchased a mask and snorkel anyway.  As I arrived at the Island I looked for people anchored by the Baths, I understood that this was a coral preserve and that the local government had laid moorings for visiting yachts which require a permit.  Never the less the Irish in me told me to go have a look and see if anybody else was chancing their arm.  Alas no, so I continue up the coast to the designated area.  I struggle to find holding with sand over stone nearby the beach and withdraw a further 100m.  Armed with mask and snorkel I jump over the side and check the anchor is properly dug in.

 

Going ashore I look forward to seeing Spanish City and imagine a miniature Cadiz with narrow, winding, cobbled streets.  That image was quickly dispelled when I asked a local where the town centre was and he couldnât give me an answer.  Seemingly it is pretty much the marina complex and that is it, also the Rock Cafe a half-mile down the road.  Later in the Rock Cafe I bump into the chef and the barman from the marina complex.   We have a few drinks and the chef explains that he wouldnât have taken the job if he knew it would be this quiet.  The barman boasts of his Suzuki swift which he wants to pimp with an all white leather interior.  This isnât the first time I have heard about these small car antics.  A barman in Antigua was telling us that his swift puts out 380bhp, ah, smile and nod.

 

The following morning I walk the 3 miles to the Baths and am immediately blow away.  It is like something you would concoct to drive your toy moonbugy over as a child.   Lots of big round boulders sitting on the side of a hill, and as you descend to the beach you duck and weave between them.  In the water coral cling to them and little blue and yellow fish swim in shoals amongst them.  Over some, under others and with some crawling you get to Devils Beach, another smaller pool totally enclosed by rocks. 

 

Almost 1400 I hurriedly walk back to the beach where I landed the dingy, paddle out, up anchor and gone, the next passage is almost 500nm and I want to be set up before nightfall.