Staniel Cay surrounds - end of year

Old Nov 28th, 2015, 06:53 AM
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Staniel Cay surrounds - end of year

Hello, all Staniel Cay, Exumas and Out Island lovers: Please help us (wife, 14 year old daughter and I) finalize our plans for the end of this year in the Out Islands. We arrive in Nassau from NYC - Christmas Day afternoon. It seems that (understandably) the Out Islands are closed for local travel that day. We need a place to stay (+-$200) for the evening and then plan to catch a flight to SC the following morning (Flamingo Air - although my wife will need drugs to handle the small plane). We stay at SCYC until the 29th and hope to travel to another nearby island. We are trying to figure out where to go from SC and how to get there (for something less than an arm and a leg). We are hoping for something with similar natural beauty - long white, turquoise-water beaches - but a small step up in activity (no cruise ships or tourist shopping, please). Eleuthera looks beautiful and sounds great but challenging to get to. We hope to stay somewhere through the New Year weekend (
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Old Nov 28th, 2015, 12:43 PM
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You have to go back thru Nassau to combine out islands (and maybe with overnight)

SCYC is awesome! Worth the small plane ride, which rides low so doesn't seem that bad)

Christmas you're going to be hard pressed for anything that might with just 1 night and at the budget. Almost everything is going to be sold out, 3-4 times more,

How long do you plan to vacation? Kinda hard to combine out islands without chartering your own flight
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Old Nov 28th, 2015, 05:53 PM
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blamona: Thank you very much for your response and input. Based on what you said I made a reservation at Melia Nassau Beach. We plan to stay through the New Year's weekend. Any thoughts about hiring a boat to a neighboring island, how to keep cost down if chartering a flight from SC, and Eleuthera as a 2nd stop are appreciated. Looks like you are a fan of T&C.
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Old Nov 29th, 2015, 03:00 AM
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I'm a huge Out Island fan too

If only 7-9 nights, you're not there long enough to add another Out Island.

So stick to Nassau-Paradise and SCYC

The only other way to realistically add another is day trip from Paradise on ferry to Harbour Island. They have day trips

No general boats or transportation between most islands

Most air will be sold out, as that's how Islanders travel

To island hop more than 1 Out Island you really need 7 days for EACH!

Get a nicer place if you can at Paradise. How many nights did you book SCYC for? (Did you even book it? It sells out a year ahead)

Specific number of nights on vacation?

You're trying to cram in too much, as it's really hard to combine Out Islands in the first place.

PS my 14 year old favorite trip is SCYC
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Old Nov 29th, 2015, 04:29 AM
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Again, thank you so much for your input! I imagine that 4 nights on SCYC is going to be my limit. I love to explore areas, as much as I love to immerse myself in one. My approach is explore first, immerse later (next trip). Depending on charges, I may bite the bullet and spring for a charter flight (if available from SC) to another Out Island. I get it that it is late. SCYC is holding a spot for us (beyond 12/29) but need to let them know immediately. My wife's bucket-list dream is to stay on a white, turquoise beach in Caribbean. Would like to try to accommodate her. I appreciate your perspective that staying in SC the whole time is the most sensible option. I'll make decision today: stay on SC; charter flight to Eleuthera or Great Exuma (if stars are in alignment). Anything further you can share with me would be so appreciated. Realizing you are resident-expert on this area on boards - I am all ears. On a completely separate note, we have reservations for Barcelona/San Sebastian (Basque surrounds) this August; I see you love Spain. Don't want to push my luck, but would love to hear from you on that part of the world too. Or, do you have a board/post you could refer me to. Your photos of your daughter in water are awesome. Thank you! Steve
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Old Nov 29th, 2015, 05:22 AM
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At Staniel Cay there's not a great sand white beach, you must travel in the skiffs to get to the beaches--(Compass Point is amazing, and the front dock has tame sharks on their deck, really cool! No place to really stay there though, must go by skiff provided by SCYC)

There are many sand bars (love them) swimming pigs, many beaches around SCYC, but must use skiff.

Make sure to get meal plan (one of the most excellent restaurants in Caribbean!) which includes the much needed skiff.

Combining Great Exuma might be smarter, but you'll need car rental, takes hours from 1 end to another

Charter plane will be more than $1000, if they're not already booked up by now. Only other option is fly back to Nassau on Bahamas Air, which means overnight usually

Getting to Eleuthera is a chore from SCYC--back to Nassau, probably overnight. Then you must decide which 3 areas to stay, great distance between them. Governor's Harbour is in the middle, if you want closer to Harbour Island (amazing) then fly into North Eleuthera.

Harbour Island, try Valentines (a lot more than your budget, but less than everywhere else)

Eleuthera try Pineapple Fields (if space left, not many units) Close to a gorgeous stretch, close to French Leaving (Club Med) Beach, another amazing. Tippy's is my favorite restaurant and there too

If traveling 7 nights, forget it!!! Seriously, forget it. You are way too ambitious.

If 9 nights, still really pushing it, 4 of those will be worthless travel days, and 2-3 full days at each won't cut it.

So again, stay Nassau (maybe try Sandyport? or somewhere in Paradise) split with SCYC. You can still take a ferry day trip to Harbour Island.

As for Spain--grew up there but been 30 years ago! From Barcelona, take a car up Costa Brava and explore, gorgeous towns, really scenic. Pals is an acient Roman town, and Gerona is amazing. I've gone up as far as into France, Carceconne is a medevil town really cool. Love Costa Brava

San Sebastian is way North on the other side, pretty far from each other
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Old Nov 29th, 2015, 08:28 AM
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Very helpful! Last question: Forgetting SC for a moment --> would you give recommendation for places - 5 days with long white beaches flying out Nassau, same budget, no resort/AI, somewhat off the grid, natural beauty, fresh/local cuisine (foodie-quality but not necessarily foodie-level presentation/preparation)...?

Re Spain: Pals looks absolutely amazing. Plan to spend several weeks in southwestern France and then drive in u-shape from Toulouse to Carcassonne, down Costa Brava to Barcelona, across to San Sebastian then into Bordeaux and home. I know, I know - way too ambitious! (I won't tell you about past trips through Germany, Austria, Italy, France and into Paris. Only makes me want to go back and do it again).
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Old Nov 30th, 2015, 02:57 AM
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Beyond SCYC, there are many laid-back beachfront inns and small resorts in the Out Islands. My personal favorite is Fernandez Bay Village on Cat Island (fly to TBI) -- the beach is a stunner, the cottages are coral stone (some with thatched roofs) and have outdoor baths, and the menu always features some local items. A lot of people like Cape Santa Maria on Long Island; the beach there is one of the loveliest I've seen, but I found the resort a little too groomed for my taste. There are many small properties in the Abacos, but many visitors rent small cottages and runabouts for exploration. I'd look at renting a cottage or villa on Eleuthera as well. There is really no shortage of options in the Out Islands if you want to stay on a beautiful beach away from it all.
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Old Nov 30th, 2015, 03:05 AM
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Doing that in Europe is not that ambitious, it's doable

Packing in Caribbean is ambitious and not doable- logistics are open water with no ferries or direct flights between

Budget over Christmas also really limiting your options (mostly sold out) which make recommending hard not knowing what's left

Many Out Islands are reached by Fr Lauderdale so making hop even harder

Pineapple Fields Eleuthera is sold out, as is most I would recommend

So search away, come back and get my opinion of what's left, then I'm happy to help, but for now EVERYTHING I would recommend is booked. (Especially at your budget). So do some searching,as I really can't look for you when nothing is left, then I'm happy to give opinion

Truthfully, if space at SCYC it's an amazing destination (even if you have to have an adventure to get to them)

Sounds like you like adventures anyway- so a great fit
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Old Nov 30th, 2015, 07:31 AM
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Callaloo & blamona: You both are great to be so helpful. We are confirmed at SCYC for 4 nights. Also, I just contacted a local pilot who agreed to fly us from SCYC to Eleuthera for $500. I will now invoke my inner OCD-self to explore possible cancellations at the places you mentioned. Callaloo - Fernandez Bay looks our speed, but I heard that Cat Island got hit hard by a recent storm and is struggling to recover...? blamona - Pineapple Fields looks interesting. It kills me to think of spending $700+ a night when we are interested in less developed white sand beaches, kayaking, quiet, as well as exploring and eating local fare. Just sayin'
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Old Nov 30th, 2015, 07:41 AM
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It is Long Island (and the southern end, at that) which was hit hard by Hurricane Joaquin this fall. I get the sense that the northern end (where Cape Santa Maria is located) is in decent shape, and the hotel is open for guests. As far as I know, Cat Island is fine.

If you can get a $500 flight to Eleuthera, I expect that the flight to Cat Island would be about the same, as the distance is only about 50 miles.
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Old Nov 30th, 2015, 08:56 AM
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Agree with Steve, it was Long island that was hit hard. If you switch to Cat also look at Shannas Cove Resort. Small boutique hotel with very good food. We ate most of out meals at their restaurant (we rented a villa). They are on the N end of the island. The beach is stunning (compares well to the Cape beach on LI). You can walk miles on that beach. In addition, there is a semi-groomed walking trail from their property to other completely undeveloped beaches which go on for tens of miles....take a look at some of the reviews on trip advisor.
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Old Nov 30th, 2015, 09:05 AM
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If Shannas is not sold out, I'd go to Cat

Only thing left is Rainbow Inn on Eleuthera, you'll have to travel to better beaches (Rainbow Beach is nice, but not as compared to others) Rainbow is actually on the basic side for me, Pineapple Fields is far superior and next to Tippy's and great beaches. Maybe call them to see if anyone is trying to cancel?

If Pineapple not available, I'd try Shanna's on Cat.

Or not to throw you off, but Club Med on San Salvador is scrumptious. Actually the only thing on island--food is amazing. Although it's all inclusive, it's a bargain and the beach is one of the best in Bahamas--see if private plane can fly you there, then get return to Nassau on Bahamas Air. (If they're not sold out)
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Old Oct 23rd, 2017, 12:20 PM
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How was your stay at Melia Nassau Beach/Bahamas? I am contemplating going there w/ my hubby for our big anniv. We've never been anywhere warm for our (Feb 14th) anniv. This will be a treat. (We're from Maine, USA.)

I am thinking about a week, all-inclusive, so I don't have to cook. What a dream. Pls let me know how your time at Melia Nassau Bahamas went. Thank you.
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Old Oct 23rd, 2017, 03:12 PM
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McLisa: The OP hasn't been on the forums for about a year so most likely won't see your post.
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Old Nov 8th, 2017, 05:29 AM
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Also, the Melia has been completely reinvented since the 2015 post. It's next to the now-open Bahamar Resort. But I think there are better choices with more reliably warm water (though everything will be warm compared to Maine).
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