Mayreau, Tobago Cays, St. Vincent & The Grenadines
After a calm night at anchor, and with the smooth rhythms of the Kings of Strings – a Bequian folk music group – in our heads, we had a short transit to the postcard cluster of islands known as the Tobago Cays. Anchoring off Mayreau Island, we transferred to a large catamaran in order sail deeper into this famous Marine Park and preserve.
The gin clear waters revealed clouds of reef fish. Snorkelers were delighted by parrotfish, wrasses, stingrays feeding in the sand, and a large squadron of oval squid which seemed as curious about us as we were about them.
We then repositioned to an area of underwater meadows of sea grass, in the hopes of encountering feeding Green Sea Turtles. The preserve provides vital nesting and feeding habitat for these endangered reptiles. Again, the clear water allowed us to quietly float above several turtles as they grazed on submerged grasses and algae. Carapaces of intricate designs presented a sculpture-like effect. Leathery flippers which act as wings allow this improbable beast to fly effortlessly through the seas. They seemed lovely but improbable, quirky but perfect.
As with any encounter with large living creatures, they evoke unexpected private thoughts and emotions. A sort of reverence wells up at their ability to have survived for eons; awe envelopes at their beauty and grace. And a sense of privilege swells at our being able to witness all of this, in such a paradisiacal setting, with wonderful new friends, family, and our elegant companion, Sea Cloud II.
After a calm night at anchor, and with the smooth rhythms of the Kings of Strings – a Bequian folk music group – in our heads, we had a short transit to the postcard cluster of islands known as the Tobago Cays. Anchoring off Mayreau Island, we transferred to a large catamaran in order sail deeper into this famous Marine Park and preserve.
The gin clear waters revealed clouds of reef fish. Snorkelers were delighted by parrotfish, wrasses, stingrays feeding in the sand, and a large squadron of oval squid which seemed as curious about us as we were about them.
We then repositioned to an area of underwater meadows of sea grass, in the hopes of encountering feeding Green Sea Turtles. The preserve provides vital nesting and feeding habitat for these endangered reptiles. Again, the clear water allowed us to quietly float above several turtles as they grazed on submerged grasses and algae. Carapaces of intricate designs presented a sculpture-like effect. Leathery flippers which act as wings allow this improbable beast to fly effortlessly through the seas. They seemed lovely but improbable, quirky but perfect.
As with any encounter with large living creatures, they evoke unexpected private thoughts and emotions. A sort of reverence wells up at their ability to have survived for eons; awe envelopes at their beauty and grace. And a sense of privilege swells at our being able to witness all of this, in such a paradisiacal setting, with wonderful new friends, family, and our elegant companion, Sea Cloud II.
