DavefromCA

We are slowly circling in on our Caribbean vacation in November. The Out Islands look like a winner! The question is: which one and which hotel/resort? We've been doing a lot of research, but it's very difficult without "eyewitnesses". For example, we were thinking of Coral Sands on Harbout Island, and then read horrible reviews on TripAdvisor. True or not (I don't really trust TripAdvisor), it scared the bejeezus out of us.

Are there any places in the Out Islands that are comparable to Montpelier or Nisbet on Nevis or Biras on Virgin Gorda? Someplace quiet, beautiful, a couple of restaurants on the island?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Dave

Callaloo

Having stayed at Nisbet, as well as many of the Out Islands (though not Harbour Island), I can't say there is anything comparable, save perhaps the Four Seasons in Exuma (which is another creature altogether). However, that being said, I think you can find something that will have the same welcoming spirit and comfortable feeling in the Out Islands.

In particular, I'm thinking about some of the clubbier resorts in the Out Islands (though I caution you that the Out Islands are definitely "rustic chic" and a "large" property has 20 rooms). My personal favorite is Fernandez Bay Village on Cat Island: stone cottages on a stunning beach, friendly staff, personalized (but generally hands-off) service, reasonably good (good for the Out Islands) food, self-service bar. Expect to entertain yourself, but you never know how you might befriend among your fellow guests. You won't find TV, or even reliable internet service, but that's not why you go to the Out Islands.

Others that come to mind are the Abaco Inn (Elbow Cay), the Green Turtle Club (Green Turtle Cay) and the Bluff House Inn (Green Turtle Cay) in the Abacos; and Cape Santa Maria and Stella Maris on Long Island. I suspect that other similar properties on other islands (especially Harbour Island) will offer a similar feel.

mnag

Having been to Eleu, Abacos and Long Island, and Virgin Gorda I think your pick of Harbour Island based on your criteria is the right one. Its quaint (similar to VG), with one long 3 mile beach that runs the lenght of the island. I would also look into Pink Sands which is more chic than Coral Sands. If you want to do some exploring you can take a 5 min water ferry over to Eleu which has tons of beaches with no one on them..
I agree with Callaloo that many of the resorts in the other out islands are more rustic than nisbet/biras but at the same time the beaches are spectacular and blow away the beaches on Nevis and are superior to those on VG as well.

Keeping that in mind, I would recommend Cape Santa Maria - amazing streth of white sand beach. They have 5 or so basic bungalows and 3/4 new townhouse type units which are very nice. The restaurant on site is quite nice (though not gourmet quality food). It is rather long so exploring other beaches involves some driving. Have not been to Cat but its definately on our list...
The Abacos are nice but I would pick HI over Elbow Cay for better hotels and restaurants.

kellybeaches

Hi DavefromCA,
I haven’t been to Nevis, but have been to VG and Long Island. I loved both, but I’ll put it this way. Long Island makes VG look like Miami. Another words, it’s VERY quiet. We loved both, but just a heads up on Long Island. We didn’t stay at Cape Santa Maria, but did spend a day there-it is gorgeous, and if you can swing the money to stay in a villa at CSM, definitely do it. They are very luxurious. You would definitely need to rent a car to see the island. Here’s my TR w/pics if it helps. Good luck!
http://www.fodors.com/community/cari...ort-223-32.cfm

DavefromCA

Can I just say that the Bahamas has WAY too many islands! With WAY too many cool, funky "resorts".

Thanks for the suggestions. It helps to get first hand knowledge. We're thinking of doing a week at CSM on Long Island and a week at Pink Sands. We were in Anguilla last year and loved the beaches there, so we're thinking these might be comparable. Are there any beach bars near CSM or do we hunt for them by car?

Is it tough to travel between the two islands? We're thinking of Long Island first and HI second.

I know, I know, you kindly answer my first question and now I'm pelting you with more. Sorry about that.

Dave

StanKase

You need to know Long Island is very...very quiet. You have to like yourself and your traveling companion a lot.

kellybeaches

Yeah there are definitely a lot of islands in the Bahamas! I think you would really enjoy CSM if you don’t mind driving awhile to get around the island to see other sights and don’t mind laying low. It’s truly a gorgeous powdery white sand beach. The villas are amazing too-we toured 2 of them –all granite kitchens, hardwood floors, impeccable decorating, whirl pools, screened in porches, and the list goes on. There are also bungalows but they’re definitely pretty simple and rustic. The toughest thing about LI we found was that it too forever to get anywhere, and we stayed towards the middle of the island. CSM is at the very northern tip of the island, so you’re looking at about a 45 min-1 hour drive each way to Dean’s blue hole. They do have some cool funky road side and beach bars if you’re up for the drive. CSM has great food too (their grouper fingers were the BEST!) If you want a vaca where you really won’t see anyone else (even at the resort-we were there in high season and saw a total of about 5 other people there during the day) then this is the place for you. They also have bonefishing and snorkeling trips you can do.

I think the thing that will be toughest for you will be the traveling. To get to LI you have to go through Nassau. I recommend Southern Air Charter, they were great. http://www.southernaircharter.com/ghl.htm

It’s a 45 minute flight from Nassau. Then to get to Eleu/HI you would have to go back through Nassau, and then either take the fast ferry (about 2 hours from Nassau) or take another puddle jumper. I looked at Southern Air and Bahamas Air and neither have direct flights to/from those 2 islands. Also, you can’t fly directly into HI. You fly to Eleuthera and then ferry over. You’re looking at a lot of traveling to get between those 2 islands. You might be better off doing these 2 islands on separate trips. Or you could do LI and Great Exuma if you’re looking to do 2 together. You can fly direct from LI to Exuma and vice versa. I believe American Eagle does this flight as we had initially wanted to do both islands for this trip (1 week on each) but it didn’t’ pan out in the end. You can fly to Miami and then to Great Exuma, do a week there, and then fly to LI and do a week there (you’ll want to fly into Stella Maris-airport code STM as it’s much closer to SCM than the deadman’s cay airport). I thought Staniel Cay in the Exumas looked pretty neat, where you can take whalers out and swim with the pigs and nurse sharks.

Anyway, sorry for the book, but I did a lot of research into all of the larger out islands when planning our trip. It seems like the best way to go if you want to hit a couple islands is to either do the northern islands together or do the southern. And if you’re going during the winter you’ll want to stay further south. It’ll be too chilly in the northern islands in the winter. Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

mnag

I agree with Kelly a bit of a hassle to combine two islands. Though you could fly to Nassau and take a flight to the North Eleu airport. From there the ferry ride over to HI is only about 5 min.
Beach bars/Restaurants on LI - parrots of the caribbean on thompson bay; Chez pierre (a bit of a drive for you from CSM but good food - reservations must be made in advance); and Max Conch Bar (on the way to Dean's blue hole)

DavefromCA

Thanks for all the input. We're going to have to rethink the two islands trip. If CSM is really far, what about Stella Maris? Are they in any way comparable? Also, I keep reading about mosquitoes. Now we go to the Caribbean a lot, so bugs come with the territory, but how bad are the mosquitoes? We always bring a can of spray with us (serious DEET!)

And, Kellybeaches, don't apologize for the "book". One of the best things about this forum is that people take the time to write. Heck, my last trip report was in two parts (or chapters).

kellybeaches

Unfortunately we didn’t get to see Stella Maris, but I’ve heard good things. It’s on the Atlantic side though so it has rough surf compared to the white sand/no waves at CSM. Personally, after seeing CSM I would definitely stay there-it really is amazing. It’s about 20 minutes north of Stella Maris though. The Stella Maris resort is right next to the airport, so you would be 20 minutes closer to the sights farther south on the island if you opted for Stella Maris. They also have great diving programs. Do you have any kids traveling with you? Just wondering for all the driving. Oh, and if you need a car seat, you’ll have to bring your own. My recommendation would be to stay at CSM and rent a car through them for a day to explore. Plan a full day to check out Dean’s blue hole, and you can stop for lunch at Max’s conch bar on the way there-it’s right on the main road. You can then hit Parrots of the Caribbean on the way back. Chez Pierre’s was closed in Feb when we were there due to Chez getting hurt. They didn’t know when he would reopen so check before you go. You could also go on boating excursions through CSM. They have an activity board that you can sign up for-snorkeling with the rays trip, bonefishing, deep sea fishing, etc. And also keep in mind that everything on the island-including gas stations-are closed on Sundays.

Regarding the bugs, we were there in Feb/March and believe it or not, I didn’t get bit even once! And I didn’t have to use any bug spray. It was the first time ever in my island travels. Even my daughter who always gets eaten alive didn’t get any bites. My friend and mother-in-law did get a bunch of sand flea bites though, but they were sitting in the sand one night while we were all star gazing (which btw is awesome there-no light pollution!) And I stepped on a fire ant hill right as we were leaving and they got my foot pretty good. I don’t know if it was just the time of year we were there, or that there was a cold front coming through so it was REALLY windy the entire time (think Maui if you’ve ever been), and they were going through a drought, so I’m guessing those 2 factors had a lot to do with it.

Good luck in your planning!

caribtraveler

You could do 2 islands if you combine Eleuthera and Harbour Island.

mnag

CSM is about 10-15 minutes north of Stella Maris. SM is on the atlantic side and if the beach is imp then I would pick the Cape. Stella Maris does drop their guests over at one end of the Cape beach.
When we were in LI in July the mosquitos were not bad. We sprayed deet before going out to dinner (thats when they are most active). I did not get bit.

DavefromCA

Once again, thanks for all the advice! We don't have kids, so we don't have to worry about car seats, etc. We will definitely rent a car for a couple of days.

We're still doing our research. My wife thinks Staniel Cay might be too quiet even for us, and we're used to going to out of the way places.

My wife liked the looks of the Palm Bay Beach Club on Exuma.

joan

Food for thought, and it's just my opinion, but if you like your island time "hot" as in lolling in the water's edge for hours, then November could be risky, as it can get chilly.

We've been to the Out Islands many times, but always in the hot months. If I were vacationing in November, I think I'd choose the Caribbean - more southerly than the Bahamas...guaranteed to be tropical weatherwise.

GoTravel

Here's a thought; instead of staying on two different islands, why not rent a boat and island hop?

Being out on the water is the best way to see the Out Islands.

DavefromCA

Ok, now y'all are just messing with me! I'm hoping (fingers crossed) that the weather will be warm enough. We've done really hot (Grenada in June) and somewhat cool (Mexico and St. John in December). If the highs get into the low 80s, I'll be happy. Heck, the high 70s will probably be ok, too.

As for the island hopping suggestion, I appreciate the fact that it is probably the best way to see the Out Islands, but I think we'd like to go there land-based the first time. Kind of get our feet wet (pun intended).

I'm off to research temperatures in November!

Thanks again for all the hot tips.

GoTravel

Your temps will be warm in November.

The ocean water is still very warm in the fall which keeps the air temps warm and balmy.

Check the historical water temps. It will be a little warmer than Miami.

Callaloo

I personally prefer the Out Islands in November (early November). Less crowded, less risk of hurricanes, still beautifully warm.

BeachGirl247

So are you going to Palm Bay Beach Club in Exuma?

kellybeaches

hm...I checked out Palm Bay Beach Club on tripadvisor, and although it got good reviews, it doesn't look anywhere near as nice as Cape Santa Maria. Just my opinion...