Great Harbour Cay

The Berry Islands consist of 30 islands and almost 100 cays, many of which are untouched little tropical jewels that are known only by local fishermen, adventurous sailors, and yachtsmen.

Great Harbour Cay, by air, is less than an hour from the southeast Florida cities of West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. Yet it offers an atmosphere of unspoiled tropical beauty and a rare tranquility.

The terrain on Great Harbour Cay is surprisingly varied, with elevations to 60-70 feet, providing dramatic vistas of the island and the vibrant, ever changing hues of the translucent blue ocean that surrounds it. Over 7 miles long, the crescent shaped powder sand beach on its tranquil eastern coast is one of the finest anywhere. The western shoreline is made up of rocky bluffs overlooking miles of glass-like bonefish flats. To the north is Sugar Beach, where cliffs of limestone dotted with caves rise above secluded coves and bays. To the south is Haines Cay, separated from Great Harbour Cay by Shark River, where sand dollars drift with the tide across broad white flats.

Great Harbour Cay is the largest island within the Berry Islands . Great Harbour Cay has been developed into the perfect get-a-way outer island. The island has ample accommodations, a golf resort, many miles of beautiful beaches within walking distance to the airport. And don’t forget, the fishing is world class. From Mackerel to the great Blue Marlin, the game fishing is second only to it’s westerly neighbor, the Bimini’s. If you decide to stay on land, there’s a beautiful golf course, swimming pools, and restaurants.

The accommodations are varied; private villas, waterfront townhouses and oceanfront condo’s. You’ll find the stay very quiet and the perfect antidote for the stresses of daily life.

The deep water marinas provide for your perfect launching point for the yachting enthusiast.

Berry Islands

The Berry Islands offer a variety of quiet anchorages on the lee sides of the islands plus good fishing and snorkelling.

Little Stirrup Cay in the north is a stopover for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line where cruise ships visit a couple of times a week. The cruise line has its own name for the island, “Coco Cay”.

The Berrys , as locals call them, were first settled in 1836 when Governor Colebrooke established a settlement at Great Harbour Cay.

The Berrys (population 634) offer beautiful opportunities for both divers and snorkelers.

Visitors will also find spectacular dive spots, an eighteen-hole golf course and miles of beautiful, private beaches.

The Berry Islands are second only to The Bimini Islands for championship sport fishing. During the month of May, the annual fishing tournament is held in Great Harbour Marina. It is an event that draws sport fishermen from around the world.

Between Great Harbour Cay and the Sturrup Cays are a number of privately owned islands, including Bird Cay, Whale Cay, Frozen and Alder’s Cays, Little Harbour Cay and Little Whale Cay.

The Chub Cay Wall, which starts at 80 feet and drops to 4000 feet, provides divers with a magnificent look into the deep. The Canyons is located in 45 feet of water and has a variety of swim-throughs, tunnels and large coral arches. Another popular site is the Eel Garden which starts at 40 feet of water over white sand with hundreds of garden eels, southern stingrays and parrot fish. A rollover covered with coral heads continues down to about to about 75 feet.

A popular stopover for yachtsmen en route between Florida and Nassau, it is claimed that The Berry Islands boast more millionaires per square mile than most places on earth.

 Celebrity Status

In the 1970s, Douglas Fairbanks and other elites decided to make Great Harbour Cay their tropical island paradise. The Great Harbour Cay Club was formed and marinas were constructed, Villas developed and Starlites began to grace the beautiful miles of beaches.

The celebrity list includes Cary Grant, Earl Blackwell, Dame Margot Fonteyn, Curt Jurgens, Brigitte Bardot, Hugh O’Brian, Ingrid Bergman, several of the Rockefellers, and golf legent, Jack Nicklaus has lived at Great Harbour Cay for over thirty years. His private jet and large yacht is often spotted while visiting his favorite vacation home here.

 Berry Islands Restaurants and Dining

Berry Islands Restaurants

Tiki Bar – Chub Cay, Berry Islands , Bahamas Tel: 242-325-1490

Wharf Restaurant – Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands Tel: 242-367-8762

White Water Restaurant – Bullock’s Harbour, Berry Islands Tel: 242-367-8050

Tamboo Club – Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands Tel: 242-367-8023

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