Warderick Wells Trails

Warderick Wells is criss-crossed with trails. Maps are available at the office, but on a such a small island it is hard to get too lost - just follow the sound of the waves and you'll find Exuma Sound and then you can head north or south. Most pick up the trail system at the office, but for us in slumville (Emerald Rock), we would paddle to the beach and pick up the trails from there. 

"The wall" to Exuma Sound

From Beryl's Beach there is a wall from the Banks side to the Sound side (about 3 minutes walk). It seems like a lot of effort to pile up these rocks in the hot sun! 

The wall overlooking Beryl's Beach and the Great Bahama Bank

According to the park, the Hutia is a plump, round rabbit sized rodent; the only mammal that is native to the Bahamas. They were thought to be extinct until discovered on East Plana Cay. Several hutias were moved to Warderick Wells to increase their chance of survival. We saw a few scurrying in the bushes and found lots of hutia tracks. Hastings wasn't allowed on trails to preserve their habitat and he spent a lot of time longingly looking at the "no dogs on trails" signs. 

Hutia footprints!

Hutia's aren't the only life on the island. We saw plenty of fat curly tailed lizards; they seemed to enjoy hanging out on cairns and signs!

Lizard!

Occasionally, a snake would join the party. We also saw white tailed tropicbirds with long tail feathers. Very beautiful! 

Snake!

Some colonists in the 1700s didn't want to be American and wanted to stay loyal to the British flag, so they left the U.S. and settled in the Bahamas, including on Warderick Wells. There wasn't much left other than the wall. 

Loyalist Ruins

Exuma Sound

 The landscape is really neat: it's not just a sandy island! The limestone has a lot of dissolved patches - watch your step!

Limestone landscape: watch your step!

 There is a neat mini Sahara Desert: flat sand with a few struggling bushes.

Flats

Walking the "hutia highway" I found this ladder going into a cave. I was tempted to go down, but since I was totally alone decided to stay above ground.

Ladder to the cave

Cool bridge thingy Matt found on the Sound side. Not sure how (it's not a big island!) but I missed this on my walks. 

Natural bridge, Exuma Sound

Tidal Stream and mangroves

At the top of the ridge, cruisers make a sign out of driftwood and add it to the enormous pile of other offerings. There are ghosts or gods to appease. 

Our sign (the blue one) at Boo Boo Hill

Sunshine Causeway

Sunshine Causeway Bridge and the last photo my Sony took.

Warderick Wells is a great place for all seasons- in windy weather you can get off the boat and walk the trails while enjoying great views and solitude. 

Enjoy this 1:30 video! 



Have you ever been surprised by an unexpected creature while hiking?