Off beaten path possible from Nassau?
Mar 3rd, 2010, 01:54 PM
#1
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Off beaten path possible from Nassau?
I am hoping to take a Caribbean vacation this summer but I am on a tight budget. I can get a good price flying in to Nassau but Nassau is so not my style. I was reading an advertisment today for a house rental in Nassau that actually listed that you could walk to a Wendy's or McDonalds or some such place! If I fly to Nassau is it possible to find a house rental on a stretch of beach way off the beaten path or if I fly into Nassau what is the least expensive but reasonable (no mail boats please) way to get to an out island?
Thanks for any advice. I haven't seen the blue water in over a year and I NEED to go!!
Thanks for any advice. I haven't seen the blue water in over a year and I NEED to go!!
Mar 3rd, 2010, 06:50 PM
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Hi tdelano,
I had to smile when I read your post
I've done A LOT of research on the Bahamas out islands, and I've been to Nassau 3 times. There are areas of New Providence where you can't "walk to a Wendys". For recommendations on a hotel on New Providence that is not in the heart of it all I would recommend Compass Point. It has cute colorful villas that are part of a low key hotel. It's about a 2 minute drive from the airport but is not on the main strip (you'll see pictures of it in my trip report pictures -we stopped there coming and going on our trip to Long Island). Their site is:
www.compasspointbeachresort.com
If you do a search online for New Providence villa rentals you'll find some you can choose from as well.
You could also try the fast ferry over to Eleuthera, Harbor Island, Andros and Abacos islands.
www.bahamasferries.com
This could get you quickly to a few of the out islands, although it's probably the same price as flying a small prop plane to the other out islands.
We flew into Nassau and then hopped onto a puddle jumper with Cape Air, which was great. 45 minutes later we were on Long Island, one of the southernmost out islands in the Bahamas. If you have some time, my very long trip report with pictures is below. My only concern for you with Long Island is that it might be TOO remote for you! (think deserted island!) We too love renting private villas and not seeing many other people on our vacations, but this was definitely remote!
http://www.fodors.com/community/cari...ort-223-32.cfm
Another good thing to do might be to check out the bahamas travel site to read a bit about what the different out islands have to offer. There are over 700 islands in the Bahamas chain, each with their own personality and things to offer. This is a really good site with a wealth of info. It should be able to help you narrow down you search in exactly what you're looking for.
www.bahamas.com
Good luck!
I had to smile when I read your post
I've done A LOT of research on the Bahamas out islands, and I've been to Nassau 3 times. There are areas of New Providence where you can't "walk to a Wendys". For recommendations on a hotel on New Providence that is not in the heart of it all I would recommend Compass Point. It has cute colorful villas that are part of a low key hotel. It's about a 2 minute drive from the airport but is not on the main strip (you'll see pictures of it in my trip report pictures -we stopped there coming and going on our trip to Long Island). Their site is:
www.compasspointbeachresort.com
If you do a search online for New Providence villa rentals you'll find some you can choose from as well.
You could also try the fast ferry over to Eleuthera, Harbor Island, Andros and Abacos islands.
www.bahamasferries.com
This could get you quickly to a few of the out islands, although it's probably the same price as flying a small prop plane to the other out islands.
We flew into Nassau and then hopped onto a puddle jumper with Cape Air, which was great. 45 minutes later we were on Long Island, one of the southernmost out islands in the Bahamas. If you have some time, my very long trip report with pictures is below. My only concern for you with Long Island is that it might be TOO remote for you! (think deserted island!) We too love renting private villas and not seeing many other people on our vacations, but this was definitely remote!
http://www.fodors.com/community/cari...ort-223-32.cfm
Another good thing to do might be to check out the bahamas travel site to read a bit about what the different out islands have to offer. There are over 700 islands in the Bahamas chain, each with their own personality and things to offer. This is a really good site with a wealth of info. It should be able to help you narrow down you search in exactly what you're looking for.
www.bahamas.com
Good luck!
Mar 4th, 2010, 05:29 AM
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Compass Point is lovely but might not fit a 'tight budget' as rates start at around $350 a night.
Orange Hill Inn might suit you. it's away from the hubbub of Nassau. Check VRBO too.
www.orangehill.com
Orange Hill Inn might suit you. it's away from the hubbub of Nassau. Check VRBO too.
www.orangehill.com
Mar 4th, 2010, 03:19 PM
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Thanks to all who have replied. I look forward to looking up the info you have shared.
I will be traveling with my husband, three teenagers, daughters boyfriend, brother, sister in law and 8 year old niece. (8 adults 1 child)
We need three bedrooms, air conditioning and would like to be right on the beach or have a private pool.
I was hoping to keep transportation costs to $300 per person (which I have found to NAS) and accomodations under $3000 for the week.
We have taken two island trips with the kids one to Grand Cayman and to Vieques. We like to enjoy different beaches during the day especially with snorkeling and hang out at a comfy house with a pool, bbq etc of an evening. Grand Cayman snorkeling was so wonderful that it made up for the fact of the commercialized island, we loved Vieques atmosphere but the snorkeling was disapointing. My goal is to get both!!!
Suggestions for other destinations that might work for us would be welcome!
I will be traveling with my husband, three teenagers, daughters boyfriend, brother, sister in law and 8 year old niece. (8 adults 1 child)
We need three bedrooms, air conditioning and would like to be right on the beach or have a private pool.
I was hoping to keep transportation costs to $300 per person (which I have found to NAS) and accomodations under $3000 for the week.
We have taken two island trips with the kids one to Grand Cayman and to Vieques. We like to enjoy different beaches during the day especially with snorkeling and hang out at a comfy house with a pool, bbq etc of an evening. Grand Cayman snorkeling was so wonderful that it made up for the fact of the commercialized island, we loved Vieques atmosphere but the snorkeling was disapointing. My goal is to get both!!!
Suggestions for other destinations that might work for us would be welcome!
Mar 4th, 2010, 03:46 PM
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$200 per seat return will get you to Marsh Harbour from Nassau. It is another $20 ferry to Hopetown. BahamasAir, WestAir, AbacoAir all fly to give 6 flights a day.
$3000 per week will easily find you a 3 bed place with Elbow Cay Rentals or Hopetown Hideaways.
http://www.elbowcayrentals.com/scrip...e=docshideaway
A great location with the reef off the beach.
The snorkeling is second level world class. Behind Mozambique and The Great Barrier but you will still huge Reefs, Sharks, Tuna, Turtles, Dolphins, Rays etc etc everywhere. There are 3 protected parks which are hot spots. Try Tilloo Cut on a rising tide you NEVER know what will turn up.
The closest Wendys is Nassau International Airport.
$3000 per week will easily find you a 3 bed place with Elbow Cay Rentals or Hopetown Hideaways.
http://www.elbowcayrentals.com/scrip...e=docshideaway
A great location with the reef off the beach.
The snorkeling is second level world class. Behind Mozambique and The Great Barrier but you will still huge Reefs, Sharks, Tuna, Turtles, Dolphins, Rays etc etc everywhere. There are 3 protected parks which are hot spots. Try Tilloo Cut on a rising tide you NEVER know what will turn up.
The closest Wendys is Nassau International Airport.
Mar 4th, 2010, 05:59 PM
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Like Markrosy said- no Wendys in Abaco but some good conch fritters beachside at the Hopetown Harbour Lodge!
Where are you flying from?? Have you checked for prices into GHB (Governor's Harbour Eleuthera) or North Eleuthera (maybe ELL but I forget my airport codes)instead of Nassau?? You could most definitely find a good house beachside for your family there- I do not care for Nassau or NP at all for that matter so I would encourage you to do some shopping in the nearby out islands for possibilities. If you can find any decent prices into Marsh Harbour, Bahamas (MHH)- usually pretty pricey but who knows- then you could find a house on Great Guana in the Abacos that might meet your criteria very nicely. The airfare is the real killer though - to any of these great places.
Good luck! Happy travels!
Where are you flying from?? Have you checked for prices into GHB (Governor's Harbour Eleuthera) or North Eleuthera (maybe ELL but I forget my airport codes)instead of Nassau?? You could most definitely find a good house beachside for your family there- I do not care for Nassau or NP at all for that matter so I would encourage you to do some shopping in the nearby out islands for possibilities. If you can find any decent prices into Marsh Harbour, Bahamas (MHH)- usually pretty pricey but who knows- then you could find a house on Great Guana in the Abacos that might meet your criteria very nicely. The airfare is the real killer though - to any of these great places.
Good luck! Happy travels!
Mar 16th, 2010, 01:25 PM
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I decided to increase the budget and to to Eleuthera. We will be flying into Nassau then to Eleuthera on the $150 flights. We found a house rental for $3000 right on the water so I think we are good to go! Thanks for the info!!
