A day in Waterlemon Cay. This is a nice quiet spot with a handful of hikes and another beach all to ourselves. One last day hanging out with friends before they head south and we don’t cross paths again for a few months.
This is Waterlemon Cay (no, it’s not Watermelon) where we were told there was great coral. I’m sure there is probably good coral well below the surface around St. John, but the bleaching and destruction has been pretty brutal on the corals near the surface. A lot of the blame seems to rest on Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. Having never been here before then, I really can’t say. Hopefully, with the help of the protections around the island, the coral is able to come back over time.
What happens when you have two eight-year-old boys and paddleboards? A nice paddle around the quiet bay? Nah.
I always love spotting conch shells scrambling across the ocean floor. You can tell by how fast they are moving what you’ll find when you peek inside. The Hermit Crabs can move at a pretty good clip.
4 Comments on “Waterlemon Cay”
We had our honeymoon there in 2002. Coral was there, but spotty. Found great pockets of it around St. John. Yup, the hurricane really did a number. Nature does bat last after all.
Nice. Yes, it seems the coral is just a few pockets here and there. So many boats, tourists, and hurricanes – I think it is having a hard time gaining ground on regrowth.
Lots of fun! What kind of paddleboards do your kids have? Our 9 and 10 year olds have the kayaks you have/had and have been using our inflatable SUP but it’s big for them in any breeze. Are they inflatable or rigid?
Hey Mike, we did the research for Ouest’s for her 8th birthday. Wanted something she could handle and not get frustrated on. She is a pro – and will have this one for awhile. https://amzn.to/3640iMN
Lowe’s was bought from another cruiser family in the Rio Dulce last season. Not as great (with only two fins, non-removable), but works for now until he needs an upgrade. I think he is wanting some-electric toys next….