We woke up in paradise off the coast of Cat Island in the Bahamas. The air was warm and the waters crystal clear. We aimed to kayak, snorkel, and take Zodiac tours within one of the famous flooded forests. The magical area is full of stunning mangroves–red, white, and black–as well as some silver buttonwoods on higher ground. We planned to see all kinds of wildlife, including birds, sea turtles, sharks, and rays.