Cat Island House Rentals?
Jun 23rd, 2004, 02:34 PM
#2
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just returned from two weeks at a house called Shangri-La on Cat Island. It's located in Bennett's Harbour on the northern portion of Cat just south of Arthur's Town. The house is a two bedroom stone structure with tons of room for two people-four for that matter. Large rear patio and a large shaded canopy on the beach. Highly recommend it.
Where is Windrift on Cat?
Where is Windrift on Cat?
Jun 23rd, 2004, 06:16 PM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is also the Point House, on the Hawks Nest Resort & Marina property. Tastefully decorated, with a magnificent patio with BBQ just steps away from Exuma Sound. Three bedrooms (all with AC), big living area, good size kitchen and dining areas. While on the resort property, it is far enough away from everything else that you don't realize you are on the hotel property ... unless you need something and, voila, it is brought to you.
Oct 25th, 2004, 06:28 PM
#4
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi, I would like to go to Cat Island this Feb. I have 2 adults two kids, not sure about how to get there. Definately want to do it on the cheap. No frills is good. But, I have some questions. Has anyone been there? What is it really like? How is the food? Do I have to bring my own food? Will they food my kids can eat( burgers and such)? Thanks for all your info. Also, Which is the most direct way to get there, should I fly to Florida or fly to nassau?
Oct 26th, 2004, 06:37 AM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
It's been a few years since I went to Cat Island but at the time we flew to Miami and then took a island hopper that stopped in Exuma to clear customs before flying on to Cat Island. On the return trip we flew to Nassau (on Bahamasair) then on to Ft. Lauderdale where we connected to the flight to our home town. Cat Island is a little difficult to get to.
There are a couple of small grocery stores on the island where you can buy food. Don't expect to get the selection and quality of products you'd normally find "back home" but you should find all the basics. There are only a few restaurants on the island so dinning out should not be a top priority for people visiting Cat Island. Depending on the time of year you may have to call ahead to tell them you are coming or they are likely to be closed or not have anything for you to eat. My recollection is the reastaurant at Fernandez Bay is probably the best on the island but it is far from being one of the top in the Caribbean.
The island itself is relatively flat but it does boast as having the highest point of land in the Bahamas (a "hill" where the summit is about 350' above sea level). Father Jerome, one of the early settlers on Cat Island, hand built his home on the summit - it's in the form of a miniture monestary. The main path leading up the hill is pretty steep and Father Jerome placed stone carvings of the Stations of the Cross along the walkways (actually quite impressive). To give you a better idea of what Cat Island is like Father Jerome's monestary is the main point of interest on Cat Island. The island has miles and miles of uncrowded white sand beaches and not much else. There are probably less than 150 hotel rooms on the entire island so even if every one was full you won't see many people. There's not alot of activity on the island (few tourists mean fewer tourist amenities) so it appeals to those who are looking for a vacation where they can "get away from it all". If secluded beaches and quiet evenings are your cup of tea then Cat Island is perfect for you.
There are a couple of small grocery stores on the island where you can buy food. Don't expect to get the selection and quality of products you'd normally find "back home" but you should find all the basics. There are only a few restaurants on the island so dinning out should not be a top priority for people visiting Cat Island. Depending on the time of year you may have to call ahead to tell them you are coming or they are likely to be closed or not have anything for you to eat. My recollection is the reastaurant at Fernandez Bay is probably the best on the island but it is far from being one of the top in the Caribbean.
The island itself is relatively flat but it does boast as having the highest point of land in the Bahamas (a "hill" where the summit is about 350' above sea level). Father Jerome, one of the early settlers on Cat Island, hand built his home on the summit - it's in the form of a miniture monestary. The main path leading up the hill is pretty steep and Father Jerome placed stone carvings of the Stations of the Cross along the walkways (actually quite impressive). To give you a better idea of what Cat Island is like Father Jerome's monestary is the main point of interest on Cat Island. The island has miles and miles of uncrowded white sand beaches and not much else. There are probably less than 150 hotel rooms on the entire island so even if every one was full you won't see many people. There's not alot of activity on the island (few tourists mean fewer tourist amenities) so it appeals to those who are looking for a vacation where they can "get away from it all". If secluded beaches and quiet evenings are your cup of tea then Cat Island is perfect for you.
Oct 26th, 2004, 02:07 PM
#6
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bonmon62
See my post form 6/23 on Shangri-La on Cat Island. This house rents for $1200 per week which is relatively inexpensive for the amount of space that it has and is set on a piece of well landscaped property the size of a small resort. I'm not sure what your definition of doing it on the cheap is but this place is a good value.
http://www.a1vacations.com/bahamacat/1/
Cat is a very sparsely populated island. A recent travel article put it in perspective, three times as many people work at Atlantis than live on Cat. The people who live there are very friendly and it seemed like we got to know many of them on the North end by the end of our trip. We traveled most of Cat from Port Royal beach in the North to Greenwood Resort in the South. We also drove several of the dirt roads to the Atlantic where you'll probably never see anyone on these beaches. I did prefer the roads south of Tea Bay as they stayed very close to the beaches.
Sunnyboy is correct about calling ahead when dining out. That's pretty much the accepted practice at Cat Island restaurants.We were fortunate that we enjoyed the food at Sammy T's and Crystal's Bar. We also ate at the Rake N' Scrap festival which went on when we were there. There's very few stores open in the evening so if you crave ice cream at 7 o'clock and find some you feel like you hit the lottery.
Cat's definitely the place to 'get away from it all'.
See my post form 6/23 on Shangri-La on Cat Island. This house rents for $1200 per week which is relatively inexpensive for the amount of space that it has and is set on a piece of well landscaped property the size of a small resort. I'm not sure what your definition of doing it on the cheap is but this place is a good value.
http://www.a1vacations.com/bahamacat/1/
Cat is a very sparsely populated island. A recent travel article put it in perspective, three times as many people work at Atlantis than live on Cat. The people who live there are very friendly and it seemed like we got to know many of them on the North end by the end of our trip. We traveled most of Cat from Port Royal beach in the North to Greenwood Resort in the South. We also drove several of the dirt roads to the Atlantic where you'll probably never see anyone on these beaches. I did prefer the roads south of Tea Bay as they stayed very close to the beaches.
Sunnyboy is correct about calling ahead when dining out. That's pretty much the accepted practice at Cat Island restaurants.We were fortunate that we enjoyed the food at Sammy T's and Crystal's Bar. We also ate at the Rake N' Scrap festival which went on when we were there. There's very few stores open in the evening so if you crave ice cream at 7 o'clock and find some you feel like you hit the lottery.
Cat's definitely the place to 'get away from it all'.
Nov 20th, 2004, 01:14 PM
#7
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a house at Hawks Nest on Cat Island and spend quite a bit of time there. The easiest way I've found to get there is from Miami to Nassau & then Cat Island Air or Bahamas Air to Cat. OR, from Ft. Lauderdale, Continental flys a small plane into Cat. Where you are staying will play a part on which airport you come into - North or South Cat Island. It can cost $150 or more to have to take a taxi from one end to the other. Hawks Nest is a small resort, 10 rooms plus the Point House, cost is around $125 per nite, food is excellent but pricey. They have rental cars avail, a dive master, snorkeling for the kids, bicycles, etc. It has a very nice marina with charters available. Local people have "take aways" in their home and will cook for you, you pick it up and take back to the room with a phone call. Some of the best food you'll find comes this way. Also, The Blue Bird is always awesome. Of course, you can bring food, or shop at one of the tiny food stores. They don't carry much variety but usually have great cheese from Ireland and basic staples. If you need additional into, feel free to email.
