The Western Bahamas, mainly the Bimini Group and Berry Islands are the place to be for the American sports fishermen. Ernest Hemmingway probably is one of the most famous of these American tourists. The amount of big, fast, powerful motor vessels with their huge, sky-high tuna-towers is astounding. The positive side of all this is that the availability of all kinds of yacht-related facilities is high in this part of the Bahamas.

The west side of the chain is part of the Great Bahama Bank, the north and east sides lie on the edge of the Northwest and Northeast Providence channels. The area endears itself, with a variety of quiet anchorages on the lee sides of the islands and offers good fishing and snorkelling. The east and south sides of the Berry Islands can be extremely rough in strong onshore weather conditions and some anchorages can be uncomfortable.

Little Stirrup Cay in the north is now a stopover spot 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”.

Limited services can be found at Chub Cay, Frazer’s Hog Cay, Little Harbour and Great Harbour Cay. Several of the islands comprising this chain are privately owned. Check the cruising guides for details before attempting to go ashore.

Hoffman’s Cay is famous for its 600-ft wide and 20-ft deep blue hole.

Clearance

Chub Cay Club Marina, Great Harbour Cay Marina, Frazer’ss Hog Cay.