We anchored in French Cay Harbour (as opposed to the commercial harbour at French Harbour) in a field of boats … at least thirty. It’s a popular place not only for its rather central location, but because all kinds of goods and services are available there, including daily air service for supplies and vacationers, etc. We felt particularly welcome as our friend, Sparky, from Kemah, TX, made sure we had an introduction to Jami, who runs a dive operation there. Although Sparky was still in the States with a medical problem, Jami took us under his wing and made sure we had everything we needed, including a lovely dinner, prepared by his cook, Phyllis, aboard his 70+' dive boat. As she feeds hungry divers all the time, you can imagine that she is a really good cook. She made us rice and chicken, which was pleasantly reminiscent of the foods we loved in Puerto Rico. We also had the opportunity to attend happy hour at Coco View, one of the oldest dive operations in the area, and to dine at Applebee’s in the fine new mall. The town of French Harbour (as opposed to the Cay/Harbour area) is a small town with few amenities, so the presence of the new mall, and especially of Eldon's grocery (within walking distance from the anchorage), was a real treat. The best place of all to eat in French Harbour is Gio's Seafood Restaurant, which is famous for its fresh seafood, and especially for the delicately breaded calamari. French Cay Harbour is a nicely protected anchorage that offers several forays, including Sherman Arch's iguana farm. There is a large resort complex called Fantasy Island, complete with a bright yellow sea plane. One can just hear the call “de plane, de plane” from the TV show of long ago. Fantasy Island is highly prized for its beach and bar, and also is home to some very clever and somewhat aggressive white faced monkeys (who will take your things if you leave them around) and some unusual little animals called agouti or “watusa”, which are a rodent of some kind, seeming to have physical characteristics of both rats and rabbits. Unfortunately for the little beasts, the locals eat them. Jerry Blakeslee manages the marina and anchorage at Fantasy Island , and he does a great job. In the time we were there, he not only set up a cruising guide for “the fleet”, but also organized lots of social gatherings, including the now famous pizza night on Thursdays. Great fun.

While in French Harbour, we went to a local doctor to have Jim’s ear examined. He had blown an eardrum doing some diving in the Rio, and, despite one round of drops and medicines prescribed in the Rio, it was beginning to weep and become uncomfortable again. The waiting room was a long breezeway that had a bench for first-come/ first-serve arrivals … no appointments. It was an entertaining wait as the other people there, were very nice and friendly, and the view out the “back” of the breezeway was right onto the commercial port of French Harbour. The doctor gave Jim medicine for the ear infection, and swore him off rum for the duration. He was a good boy, and did well. His ear got so much better that he forgot about it, then sneezed a mighty sneeze, and blew it out again. Fortunately, when he had it checked by a doctor in Oakridge, it was not infected, and had, in fact gotten a good start on healing again. This doctor even told him he could go swimming in about 10 days, but did not recommend diving for quite some time.

We visited French Cay Harbour several times. It is not only a good, protected anchorage, but one of the main cruiser hangouts on the island, and it is also the “go to” place for supplies.

This French Cay Harbour map shows the three specific harbours, and the town. Far to the left is French Harbour, next is Old French Harbour, with the town of French Harbour between them. Next heading to your right is French Cay Harbour, where most of the cruising boats anchor or moor. At the far right of the map is Big Cay, which is where the Fantasy Island Resort, is located.