This was the second time that Colgate Sailing Adventures conducted a flotilla cruise on Sunsail catamarans, sailing around Belize’s beautiful waters. And it was definitely a huge success for all that participated. As always, this Belize sailing vacation started with a lively Meet and Greet party at the host resort, and this year plans were made to have everyone come in early. Here is a fun blog from cruise leader, Heather Atwater, who with husband Nate, run these flotilla cruises with charm and expertise. Heather wrote the blog below. When you’re finished, take a look at this blog too, from Andrea Berndt – one of the participants on this flotilla cruise.
Friday May 4, 2018 – at Laru Beya Resort in Placencia
We kicked off the Belize sailing flotilla with a meet and greet party at the Laru Beya Resort in Placencia. Most of the cruise participants had booked a room there prior to the cruise through Offshore. The rooms were beautiful, the staff friendly, very attentive and organized and the evening was a great success. First we gathered around the pool overlooking the palm-strewn beach for hors d’oeuvres, drinks and our safety talk. Then up to the tiered dining area where we ate alfresco. The meal was delicious and the shrimp soup was my personal favorite. After dessert some adventurous folks headed into town for a little night life and dancing.
Skippers and Navigators attended the navigation meeting at the Sunsail base led by base manager Renee at 1 pm. Then we boarded the boats after that. Our three Sunsail 444s and one Sunsail 404 were well stocked with lots of healthy provisions, which we all took a hand in stowing away. After we were all done moving onto License to Chill, Arya, No More Drama and Jonathan we all packed into taxis and golf carts to ride into Placencia for dinner at Rum Fish. I had the curried snapper with potatoes and it was excellent. It was a lively spot and enjoyed by all. Afterward we headed back for our first night aboard.
Sunday May 6, 2018 – To Pelican Cay
We departed the base around 9:30am and had a beautiful first day sail up the inner channel. It was blowing 12 knots from the NE and we were making about 5.5 -6.5 knots tacking back and forth. Then Nate led us up the unmarked channel through the shallows to our anchorage at Pelican Cay. We were all content to eat aboard that evening and I heard reports on the radio of steak on the grill, curried fish, and we ate spicy chicken burritos with rice, yum! In the group photo on License to Chill, left to right John Collingwood, Olga Sirota, Chris Felling, Nate and me.
Monday May 7, 2018 – to South Water Cay
After a rainy night, with constantly shifting winds, we left Pelican Cay and traveled North to South Water Cay. After setting the recommended double anchors, we snorkeled off the beach and off the dinghies. That evening we celebrated Vicki and Johns 35th wedding anniversary with ‘Nateacoladas’ aboard License to Chill then followed up with a nice group dinner ashore at the Pelican Cay Resort. Leonard and his staff treated us as if royalty, very attentive. Olga even got a free bottle of wine from Lenard to share.
Tuesday May 8, 2018 – to Long Coco Cay
After Nate made his rounds for the navigation briefing, we delayed the start due to impending weather that dissipated…so we set off at 10am toward Long Coco Cay. We first retraced our path from the previous day then once in the inner channel we set sail and headed downwind jibing toward our destination. Once we arrived we gather aboard Arya for a lively cocktail party and then we grilled our steaks, made mashed potatoes, corn and sautéed broccoli.
Wednesday May 9, 2018 – to Hatchet Cay
We woke up and snorkeled the South reef off the ‘Reserve’ on North Long Coco Cay. The snorkeling was excellent, lots of different types of fish and corals. Then we set off for Hatchet Cay. It was a short sail but some took the opportunity to hone their sail trim. No More Drama hosted the third cocktail party and then we enjoyed another group dinner at the magical Hatchet Cay Resort, where the red snapper crepes were very good and the resort pool was refreshing for an afternoon dip.
Thursday May 10, 2018 – Layday at Hatchet Cay
Lay day at Hatchet Cay…. Everyone chose to do as they preferred. Some folks took trips to Scuba dive, others fished or snorkeled and others still relaxed around the pool. It was nice to have a lay day and that evening Jonathan hosted the final cocktail party aboard. A good time was had by all, with incredible blender drinks provided by Scott and crew. Music and great company completed the night.
Friday May 11, 2018 – to Placencia Harbor
We dropped the mooring balls early and headed back to Placencia harbor. It was a light air day and challenging sailing as fast as we could, on as low a heading as we could, to our destination. We were visited by a healthy pod of dolphins that frolicked in Arya’s bow wave. After anchoring among other cruisers in Placencia harbor we headed into to Yoli’s famed sailor bar for drinks and dinner.
Saturday May 12, 2018 – Back to the Sunsail Base
Early start to pick up anchor and head back into the Sunsail base. It marked the end of another fun and exciting flotilla sailing cruise with Colgate Sailing Adventures! (Although most stayed at Laru Beya Resort for an extra night or more.)
See you on the next cruise – Greece in June 2018. If you aren’t joining us then, take a look at the schedule for 2018-2019 here.
