Fishing and Boating.:
Snapper, grouper and most other fish abound in the waters off Great Harbour Cay. Deep-drop fishing with electric reels is popular. Only Hawaiian slings may be used to spear fish. Lobsters also abound and some are huge (see picture of my son) . Salt-water flats fishing in the shallows west of the Ambergris Cays is superb, and Percy Darville -- a renown master -- is available to take you out.
You can rent boats from Elorn at Happy People, at the marina. Whether rented or your own boat, it's essential to have up-to-date marine charts, in order to safely navigate the many shallows; generally, deep ocean lies to the east of the island, shallower water to the west (the Bahama Bank). There are lots of things to do and see in day trips to the surrounding of Great Harbour Cay, including the enigmatic Blue Hole , Flo's Restaurant and the Ambergris Cays.
Overview and Activities. :
Great Harbour Cay ('GHC', pronounced Great Harbour Key), only 126 nautical miles from Miami, is a secluded out-island 6.7 miles long by 1.5 miles wide. The island is a quiet, simple paradise, with beautiful beaches, great fishing and a well-protected marina. More importantly, it is blessed with wonderful people (about 500 live on the island). There is very little shopping and virtually all transactions are cash (both U.S. and Bahamian currency circulate) -- no credit cards, no ATMs.
This is a quiet, laid-back place. Aside from excellent fishing and some great boating, it's a place to rest, enjoy a good book on the beautiful beach, pick sand-dollars at the 'Bajito' or nurse a tropical drink, Games range from golfing on the 9-hole course to Mexican Train dominoes. Fairs, art exhibits and other activities. Clothing is informal, with T-shirt, shorts and sandals welcome everywhere.
Features :
The largest of the Berry Islands in The Bahamas, Great Harbour Cay. The airport is near its southern end. Virtually the entire east coast is beach and that is where most of the non-Bahamians have their vacation homes. The 'Village' (officially Bullock's Harbour) is where most of the locals live and where you can buy groseries. A secure hurricane hole, near the center of the island and accessed from the west, offers excellent protection for boats, as well as a marina and fuel dock. Caves near the northern end of the islandines Cay, is a shallow area which the Cuban-Americans call the 'Bajito' (pronouced bahitoh). Roughly a square mile in size, this sand bank comes out of the water at low tide and is a treasure trove of sand-dollars and shells for children of all ages.
