The Berry Islands
The Berry Islands
including information from the Official Site of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
Dear
to the hearts of sailors, yachtsmen and fishermen, southeast of the Biminis, is a cluster
of 30 islands and close to 100 cays known as The Berry
Islands. This fishing, diving and sailing mecca sprawls over 40 miles of open sea along
the edge of the mile-deep Tongue of the
Ocean.
Decked with green and fringed with drifts of sand, here you can find a multitude of magical harbours and swim-ashore beaches. With a land mass totalling only about a dozen square miles, these cays rest on the eastern edge of the Great Bahama Bank, starting with Great Stirrup Cay and extending to Chub Cay in the south; the largest of them is Great Harbour Cay at 3,800 acres.
Most of the cays are privately owned but yachtsmen are welcome to visit. Snorkellers will find a full range of sandy coves, spectacular cliffs and colourful reefs.
These largely uninhabited islands offer spectacular diving and snorkeling and are known for championship sportsfishing, second only to the Biminis. It is a big cruising and angling area and record catches have been made of mackerel, blue and white marlin and sailfish. Bonefish, crawfish and conch are plentiful, but people are scarce.
The islands' main attraction are their seclusion and privacy and they have a reputation as a holiday retreat. A good number of the cays like Fraser's Hog Cay and Bonds Cay, suitable for stock raising and agriculture, are privately owned. There are more millionaires here per square mile than most places on earth. Whale Cay was once the site of an extensive coconut and sisal plantation.
Chub Cay ---
A world-class fishing resort, Chup Cay is a port of entry with full-service marina,
airstrip, restaurant and visitor accommodations. The island borders a deep-sea gully known
as the Tongue of the Ocean. Bait fish are drawn into the submarine gardens off its coast
and larger fish follow, making it a fisherman's paradise with guaranteed winning catches.
Inland Blue Holes and the so-called Fishbowl of The Bahamas a add much to the cay's claim
to be a major dive centre. Tours can be arranged through Stuart Cove's New
Providence-based dive shop, tel: (809) 362-4171.-- [ Accommodations ]
Great Harbour Cay ---
The archipelago's largest island is a breezy cay with pretty hills, silvery low-rise palms
and succulent, edible sea grapes--sweet purple berries that the natives hunt like
treasure.
It is the venue for the chain's biggest settlement, Bullock's Harbour, complete with a grocery
store, gift shop, clinic, police station, full-service marina and several restaurants. --
[ Accommodations ]
Little
Harbour Cay --
was once a thriving sponge community.
Little
Whale Cay --
A stunning, 93 acre private island, it is a magical place. Developed
in the 1930's by Wallace Groves the island is beautifully landscaped and tended to by a
staff of nine. The island has a private landing
strip. -- [ Accommodations
]
Great Stirrup Cay ---
Located north of Great Harbour Cay and Little Stirrup Cay, it is the home of Stirrup Cay
Lighthouse, The lighthouse is said to have a resident ghost..
During the reign of William IV, the cay had visions of grandeur; Williamstown was laid out in his name and a customs house was erected. The anticipated prosperity did not drop anchor here, but the wreck of an unidentified ship lies just offshore.
Great
Stirrup Cay and Little Stirrup Cay --- are cruise
ship stopovers on a regular basis.
Mamma Rhoda Rock
This spiky, shallow coral reef is a must for divers; only 16 feet high, crawfish and moray
eels share living space in the hole-filled rocks.
Queen's Beach
Offers beach lovers three miles of sandy, pine-treed beach.
Sand Dollar Hill
A sandy shoal offering great shell pickings.
Hoffman Cay ---
Has a 600-foot blue hole, whose only living inhabitants are oysters.
Bullocks Harbour ---
The largest settlement in the chain, is a sleepy village located on Bamboo Cay.
Sugar Beach Caves
Considered by many the prettiest place in The Bahamas, it is an area of numerous sandy
coves set among cliffs, which are said to resemble the great Mediterranean beaches.
Chub Cay Club
Chub Cay --
Berry Islands, Bahamas
No. of Rooms: 21
General Manager: Michael Kaboth
Phone: 242-325-1490
Fax: 242-322-5199
Great Harbour Cay Club
Great Harbour Cay --
Berry Islands, Bahamas
No. of Rooms: 18
General Manager: Cindy Mackey
Phone: 242-367-8838, 800-343-7256 (U.S.) or 954-921-9084
Fax: 242-367-8115 or 954-921-104
Eight miles of beautiful white sand and you. Come to our quiet, off the
beaten path paradise, kick off your shoes, and slow your pulse rate to Bahamian Time. Go
fishing, snorkeling, diving, or just sit by our pool catching rays and drinking Kalik.
Villas on the beach or townhouses in our marina, and three restaurants provide all the
comforts of home. Free brochure. Use Great Harbour Cay Airport
(GHC.) --
Credit Cards: VS/MC/AMX
*Rates do not include Government taxes, Resort levies, or service charges.
For reservations - call 1-800-688-4752
Little Whale Cay --
private island
Several beautiful beaches ring the island and a fleet of boats stand waiting to take you bonefishing, exploring, or deep sea fishing. A gourmet chef will prepare meals designed just for you.
This stunning, 93 acre island, located in the region known as the Berry Islands of the Bahamas is a magical place. Developed in the 1930's by Wallace Groves the island is beautifully landscaped and tended to by a staff of nine.
There is room for twelve guests in elegantly appointed accommodations.
A private landing strip on the island makes getting there simple.
This property rents for a base fee of $30,000 per week. --
- Scheduled flights - (from Nassau ) - Falcon Air. Tel: (242) 377-1703.
- $100 roundtrip; leaves daily at 8am and 4 pm;
20 mins.
- Charter flights - (from Nassau ) - CleareAir. Tel: (242) 377-0341.
- to Chub Cay; 15 mins -- $300 roundtrip .
to Great Harbour Cay; 20 mins -- $395 .
- Hotel charter - (from Fort Lauderdale ) - Island Express (2S)
- to Great Harbour Cay .
- International Scheduled Flights into Nassau - [ click here for information ]
BERRY ISLANDS FACT FILE
SIZE: 15 sq. miles.
LOCATION: 35 miles northwest Nassau.
POPULATION: 634.
The Islands of The Bahamas