IT’S BETTER IN THE BAHAMAS

BERRY ISLANDS," THE FISH BOWL OF THE BAHAMAS"

BY CLAY LARROY

Packing light is key to making your travels as easy and free of stress as possible. Bring one carry-on bag that includes everything you need, not necessarily everything you want. Your smart packing will pay off when you are happily carrying one bag around on vacation instead of lugging around multiple bags around the Caribbean. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

 

BERRY ISLANDS

The Berry Islands is a cluster of 30 cays, southeast of Bimini, and is home to Chub Cay, Billfish capital of The Bahamas, often referred to as "The Fish Bowl of the Bahamas." 

Chub Cay 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 famous for its record-breaking catches. Some of the fish that can be found here are billfish, tuna, grouper, tiger fish, yellowtail snapper, wahoo, and king mackerel. In May, Great Harbour Cay is packed with visitors and fishing captains in for the annual fishing tournament.

Decked with greens and fringed with drifts of sand, these largely uninhabited islands are a magnet for sports fishermen and underwater adventurers. They are an endless source of one-of-a-kind water experiences.

The Berry Islands have a population of only about seven hundred people, most of whom live at Bullock’s Harbor, adjoining Great Harbor Cay.

Things To Do

Sport fishing is one of the main reasons the Berry Islands are so popular. Big game fish, such as billfish, tuna, yellowtail snapper, wahoo and many more, can all be caught in amongst the islands. The many cays and islets are also the ideal place to spend the days exploring by sail boat or motor boat. Couples can enjoy a romantic day spent on a secluded beach before heading back to one of the larger cays for some evening entertainment.

In May, the Annual Berry Islands Festival takes place, where hundreds of local and tourists gather to enjoy local cuisine, native dishes and live entertainment. This is a signature event for the islands and one that should not be missed.

Places To Go

Great Harbour Cay and Chub Cay are the two largest of the cays that make up the Berry Islands and are where most of the locals live. Chub Cay is a popular spot for divers due to its location on the edge of the Bahama Bank. The Chub Cay Wall provides for magnificent deep water dives as it plunges to 4000 feet below the surface. Eel Garden is popular for snorkelers and divers with its abundance of eels, stingrays and parrot fish swimming over a white sand floor.

The Sugar Beach Caves are made up of a number of sandy coves set among towering cliffs. This area is a must see and is said to be one of the prettiest places in all of the Bahamas. Not only can the caves be explored, but for shell collectors, this is a shelling dream. At Hoffman Cay, the 600 foot hole is unique in that the only inhabitants are oysters.

Little Stirrup Cay and Great Stirrup Cay are actually leased by Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line, respectively. Each island is private and is only open to guests staying on one of the cruise ships.

REFERENCE SITES

http://www.myoutislands.com/bahamas-resorts/berry-islands-map.cfm

http://www.ultimateislandguide.com/bahamas/berry-islands.html

I managed to take a family trip to the Bahamas and it was quite lovely. 

Jackie Collins

 

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