Cat Island Bahamas

The elite around Miami consider this a great weekend getaway, but you don't need to own a yacht to make this your vacation destination. And maybe some write off the beaches as being simple muggy atolls; they're not. And Bahamian Cat Island is a great starting place - no muggy here!


An easy getaway, the Bahamas has something for everyone. And on beautiful Cat Island, the sixth largest island in Bahamas, we found quiet beaches, historical places, as well as tons of places to hang the hammock.

One of the coolest places, and the highest point in the whole of Bahamas is the “Hermitage” at the top of Mt. Alvernia. The journey is just as beautiful as the destination, taking you through quaint villages and a wonderful flora. One of the oldest buildings on the island, the Hermitage Monastery was built by a Roman Catholic priest by hand in 1901.

Don’t miss the Arawak Cave at Columbus point, the old cotton plantation ruins, the Ambrister Plantation ruins in the vicinity of Port Howe, and the luxurious Deveaux Mansion.

Of course coming to Cat Island, water sports is the name of the game. Stop by the Cat Island Dive Center to enjoy the exploration of marine life and enthralling geological formations. Choose from the variety of water recreation packages or just rent water sport equipment on your own.

Quiet places abound on the beach in the Bahamas Islands. Like other famous islands, the beaches on Cat Island are big enough for anyone to have their own privacy while enjoying beach activities, especially skinny dipping in Bahamas. Oops!

Cuisine is another spectacular must-do after the long day exploration on Cat Island. You'll be delighted with fresh grilled fish or roasted rack of lamb at Hawk's Nest Resort and Marina; local specialties at Fernandez Bay Village and light meal bread at Greenwood Beach Resort. Somehow you may realize the taste is never the same while on vacation as compare to the food you take in your hectic daily lives. The right mood does play an important part.

Peace and relaxation are the key words of vacationing on Cat Island, the sixth largest island in the Bahamas. Since it is much smaller in population than many of the other islands, you won't be in the crowd and thus able to enjoy its natural beauty more. Chances are you'll have a better understanding of their local customs and way of life than on many other islands. You don't feel like a tourist but rather an explorer on Cat Island. Do consider to include Cat Island in your next Bahamas vacation.

Portions by: James Ma

Winding Bay Beach, Eleuthera - Bahamas

Just as the name implies, Winding Bay Beach, Eleuthera, is a semi-circle paradise. And it's quite here, too. Come here to get away from it all - knowing that you are far from the hustle and bustle and yet well entrenched in the security of the Bahamas. Best part is that the beach we've selected here is in a perfect location.

Winding Bay Beach is located in the South Eleuthera area on the Atlantic side of the island. This beach is absolutely perfect with amazing pink sand and there is always a cool breeze. This beach is perfectly located, its winding beach protects it from the Atlantic waves that would otherwise destroy the calmness of the waters.

At the south end, you'll find a beautiful water system with hidden man- groves behind the beach while a few upscale homes are hidden behind trees. Further north, there is a club that is now closed down as of 2001. This beach is quite a delight as you sit down and have a nice picnic or just play in the soft sand.

The north end features various natural rock formations and starfish hanging around in the water. The beach is usually secluded and unpopulated, but more and more people have been building nearby hotels and resorts so don't expect to be alone on this inlet beach.

This area is perfect for swimming or wading and is one of the clearest bodies of water you'll see in south Eleuthera. In fact, if you don't swim, you'll be missing out on an amazing experience that you might never get to have again. Because this beach is so well located and hidden from the harsh Atlantic waves, there are virtually no waves and it is ideal for swimming. Snorkeling is not recommended as there is no real perfect spots in the water unless you swim farther out than you probably should.

Walking along Winding Bay's pink sand is an experience in itself. Towering above you are palm trees that are begging to be photographed on a clear day. The breeze makes the leaves sway for added pleasure while you're strolling along. The beach is not very long so you can walk all around the beach in a short time, but don't be fooled into thinking this beach is small, it is actually a wide beach. See the south side first and work your way around, you won't be disappointed!

Winding Bay Beach - BEACH INDEX:

• Sand - medium/heavy grain, no silt. Pink sand!
• Facilities - a closed club, some homes, some resorts/hotels.
• Shade - minimal, palm trees, mangroves.
• Sports - swimming, minimal snorkeling.
• Notes - there is always a breeze.

Club Med came and well, got wiped out by a hurricane. The beach... is still there and pristine. See it Now! >>

Club Med Beach, Eleuthera - Bahamas

Club Med once had a resort here. Now it's on Columbus Isle, close by. Why did they first choose this area? A look around the beaches and surrounding land will reveal that this choice property is perfect - shade, beach, breeze - everything... except Mother Nature. You just can't predict everything.

What Club Med Beach is very well known in this area of Central Eleuthera, is for Club Med being destroyed by hurricane Floyd in 1999. The beach, though suffering at first from the harsh weather, looks as pristine as though it was never even touched.

The beach is in a perfect location as it is 5 minutes away from Governor's Harbor and settled quietly on the Atlantic side. Atlantic side beaches are usually well known for being rougher water beaches or wavy to say the least, but Club Med Beach is actually calm and there aren't many waves. Casuarina trees are abundant in this area and provide a fair amount of shade for any visitor to this perfectly long and wide beach. You'll really get a kick out of those trees on the hotter days of the year, trust me.

The water is very clear and stays shallow for quite some time so feel free to wade out and have the time of your life with waves gently lapping against you. For beach walking, consider walking in the evenings or even the mornings and be sure to make plans for the heat in the hours in between. Once the sun comes out to play, you're going to want to swim. This is perfect because the water is warm and there are plenty of good snorkeling spots at the south and the north ends of the beach. For this you are going to want to go on a calmer day because although this beach is fairly calm, it is still an Atlantic side beach and on certain days it will be rougher than usual.

Club Med beach is a popular beach because of its shallow waters, pink sand, and over beauty. Don't expect to be alone here, but the length and width of the beach more than make up for passing by the occasional visitor. There are also a few higher end houses on the shoreline, but there is no longer a Club Med, as it was torn down in 2004. Rebuilding of some of the old buildings and a transformation into a project entitled "French Leave" is in progress, but the beach remains open.

Club Med Beach - BEACH INDEX:

• Sand - Pink sands, very sandy.
• Facilities - Some private housing and new buildings, French Leave.
• Shade - Casuarina trees along the shoreline.
• Sports - Walking, swimming, snorkeling on the North/South ends. Light bodysurfing.
• Notes - A great location and perfect conditions make this the best beach on Eleuthera.

Hey, let's hop over to Abaco Island for the grand beaches there! >>

Best Beaches of The Abacos, Bahamas

There is one place we believe will charm you here on Abacos - Elbow Cay. It's a nice find. There are beautiful cottages right on the beach. Rent one for a week and see your gray hair go away. It's an hour from Florida and only 20 minutes from Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco. Relaxation is a four and a half mile strip where Hope Town is located.

There are only a few hotels and restaurants here so the mode of transportation here, by the most part, is golf cart, bicycle, or by boat. Hey, remember the pace here is slow as molasses. Most like it that way. Most hotels here have no television. Can you handle that? If so, you'll fall in love with Hope Town and surrounds. People first came here in the 18th century. Loyalists who fled the American Revolution.


If you're looking for the best beaches on the Abacos, you'll need some help. The major town on the Out Islands is Marsh Harbour, and yet it has some of the not so beautiful beaches. But, your lodging in Marsh Harbour will be able to tell you where to go.

Some will tell you to try the tiny beach at Abaco Beach Resort, but just remember, it's private - so you'll need to buy a drink at the bar, or be a guest. Nonetheless, you'll not feel right - so let's get on to the great beaches here.

You'll need transportation. The best beaches actually lie about 15 to 20 minutes south of Marsh Harbour. Starting around Casuarina Point, southward, just take any of the eastward roads off the main highway. These all lead to the ocean. Once there, park anywhere along the shoreline and find your little piece of paradise. Enchanting!

Imagine white powder, turquoise waters, and you. Make it a day and know that at Casuarina Point and "points" in between, you can find some fine Bahamian cuisine. Make friends with the locals. You may be back! Besides, you've just found the best beaches on The Abacos!

The Abacos - BEACH INDEX:

• Sand - soft white, medium grain, coral based.
• Facilities - only at the hotels/restaurants along the way.
• Shade - some coconut palms.
• Sports - arrange dive and snorkel trips in Marsh Harbour.
• Notes - no lifeguards, guard your belongings.

One last stop on Andros Island. The beaches there are worth a look. Next! >>

Best Beaches of Andros, Bahamas

If you've been to South Florida, you know the white sand beaches that grace Andros Island. Andros, along with Bimini, are the closest islands to the Sunshine State. But Andros is the bigger of the two with some interesting facts.

Legend has it that strange creatures once inhabited these islands of dense forests and small streams. Andros is actually the largest island in the Bahamian nation. And if Bahama had an "outback", Andros would be it. Mangrove swamps and forests are home to a myriad of fauna. If you have the time, check out the grand population of flamingos native to Andros.

Andros Island has some world class diving as well. A great barrier reef is the third largest in the world. Some come to experience the mysterious underwater "blue holes". Others come looking for Sir Henry Morgan's pirate treasure - supposedly buried in a cave on the northern end of the island.

World class bluefin tuna and marlin fishing can be arranged from town center. And the bonefishing is tops here.

The beaches along the east coast are as unspoiled as anywhere in the world. There are many hotels and guest cottages down the east coast where you can set up base and explore for days up and down the coast.

Andros Islands - BEACH INDEX:

• Sand - bright white, coral based.
• Facilities - few hotels and cottages.
• Shade - coconut palms, some mangroves close to beach.
• Sports - few snorkel rentals and dive rentals at some hotels.
• Notes - great budget vacation location!

Did you catch them all? The index is here to see them all again!