The Berry Islands
Appropriately called “The Fish Bowl of the Bahamas,” the Berry Islands is a haven for big game fishing. The fish that you can find there include king mackerel, wahoo, yellowtail snapper, tiger fish, grouper, tuna, billfish, and many more. It’s no wonder the cluster of over 100 cays and about 30 islands attracts a number of visitors.
The Berry Islands’ total land area is around 78 square meters (30 square miles) and the islands are home to around 798 individuals, most of whom reside at Bullock’s Harbor that adjoins Great Harbor Cay, which (during May) is packed with fishing captains and visitors attending the yearly fishing tournament.
In 1836, Governor William Colebrooke and a number of freed slaves settled in the islands.
Berry Islands Attractions
The group of islands is visited more by underwater adventurers and sports fishermen. So, if you belong to either of those groups, you will really enjoy what the largely uninhabited Berry Islands have to offer.
Visitors may also sample the local culture and explore the islands’ past with stops at abandoned cays, ancient churches, and two lighthouses. Throughout the islands, you can also find healthy coconut groves, thatch berry trees, and pine trees.
The Berry Islands’ secluded beaches are also worth visiting. Great Harbor Cay’s Sugar Beach, which is part of the cay’s seven miles of secluded beaches, has sandy coves among the cliffs. Sugar Beach offers visitors wildlife-filled creeks, excellent shelling activities (Shelling Beach), and caves.
Another settlement worth a visit is Little Harbour Cay. The houses built in the cay have withstood even the most violent storms – a testament to the residents’ superb building skills.
If you love a Caribbean cruise, you will be delighted to find out that Norwegian Cruise Line has a private island in Great Stirrup Cay, which is the Berry Islands’ northernmost island. Another cruise line company, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, also calls Coco Cay – set around 50 miles from the Bahamian capital Nassau – its private island.
The highlights of a visit to the Berry Islands include its pristine beaches, championship sport & deep sea fishing, and dive sites. Because the islands are sparsely populated, you can spend a day touring the secluded sights and not see anybody else. The islands are also home to a 600-foot-wide blue hole. If you love the beaches, solitude, game fishing and diving, the Berry Islands can offer you exactly what you need for a perfect tropical vacation.
Resources:
Blue Island Bahamas: A Private Island for a Perfect Getaway
San Salvador Island Bahamas: One of the Safest Island To Visit
Ragged Island Bahamas: The Perfect Getaway for Singles and Couples
Rose Island Bahamas: The Perfect Beach Getaway
Harbor Island Bahamas: A Perfect Weekend Getaway
Andros Island Bahamas: An Untouched Paradise