The 3 of us want to take a week this June and go to a remote out island. I've been searching and researching tons of places. It dosen't even have to be the Bahamas. It could be St. John, or anywhere. Just not a huge hotel chain. We'd like something like Pink Sands in Eleuthera but don't want to spend $900/night. Anyone ever heard of Staniel Cay? VERY remote and maybe a little too rugged (like no A/C).
Bahama Out Islands
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I've wanted to go to Eleuthera for a long time, so I think I'd try to find a way to go there and stay somewhere less expensive.Johnrudy said:
I have a place in Bermuda that really intrigues me, but in TripAdvisor, the reviews vary widely:
http://9beaches.com/
peapod1980 said:I've wanted to go to Eleuthera for a long time, so I think I'd try to find a way to go there and stay somewhere less expensive.
I have a place in Bermuda that really intrigues me, but in TripAdvisor, the reviews vary widely:
http://9beaches.com/
Wow,
the ocean cabanas with the clear glass view floor panels! 
I know--I'm a total sucker for that little gimmick!Ocean Lover said:Wow,
Wow, I love it! Pretty cool.
Do yourself a huge favor and go to Staniel Cay. We went a few years ago with our then 3 1/2 year old and fell in love with it. Here goes the quick and dirty.Johnrudy said:
The island is about 1/2 to 3/4 miles wide and 3 or 4 miles long. It has about 100 full time residents, a yacht club(tiki hut) with deep water access that attracts the yachting crowd, 2 other very basic restaurants besides the yacht club, a couple of small block buildings that house stores with limited provisions, and not much else.
We spent 10 days cruising around in a 13' Whaler in the water and a golf cart on land, explored countless beaches where we never encountered another person, snorkled some amazing places including Thunderball Grotto where portions of the James Bond flick, Thunderball, was filmed as well as Splash, the Tom Hanks movie. We hung out at the yacht club in the evenings and met lots of interesting people from around the world, drank lots of Kalik and tried to scheme a way to never come home. We stayed in a house on the sound that had its own dock and we could swim over to Thunderball Grotto when the current was not to bad. It is very remote but very enchanting and I can not imagine anyone not loving it. Get your massage and such things before you leave because it ain't happening on Staniel Cay but you will be so relaxed you will not need it. We found out after we got home that Jimmy Buffet had stayed in the same house that we rented and also saw a list of his 10 favorite bars in the tropics, 2 were on Staniel Cay, the yacht club and Club Thunderball. Needless to say, we are returning soon.
Santiago,
Thanks so much for this info! I just needed to hear it from somone "I know" (a Sowaller is trustworthy!). I originally discovered info on Stainel Cay on the Fodors.com blog. Someone had posted this fabulous photo journal of their trip.There was an island they had sailed to that had these adorable swimming pigs!! For some reason, that's what won me over.
On a more important note tho, I looked at the website for those stilt cottages at the yacht club. I'm not looking for something like the Four Seasons, but are they REALLY o.k.? They look pretty modest, to say the least. I just don't want Mr. Johnrudy and my son to gripe about their accommodations, etc. (Every body's gotta be happy!)
Thanks so much for this info! I just needed to hear it from somone "I know" (a Sowaller is trustworthy!). I originally discovered info on Stainel Cay on the Fodors.com blog. Someone had posted this fabulous photo journal of their trip.There was an island they had sailed to that had these adorable swimming pigs!! For some reason, that's what won me over.
On a more important note tho, I looked at the website for those stilt cottages at the yacht club. I'm not looking for something like the Four Seasons, but are they REALLY o.k.? They look pretty modest, to say the least. I just don't want Mr. Johnrudy and my son to gripe about their accommodations, etc. (Every body's gotta be happy!)
We didn't stay at the yacht club cottages but did peek in and they were very clean and charming. The negative if there is one is that they are just 50 or so yards from the dock so there is not much privacy but its never crowded so that might not matter. The positive is that they are probably a pretty good bargain. If money is not a huge issue, I would highly recommend the house that we rented. Its not really that expensive but is more than SCYC cottages. Check out the link www.mwpr.com/serenity.htm. You can rent the house with a golf cart and boat and it has a great dock that is over water that is about 18 to 20' deep so its great for kids to fish from. You can cook in if you choose to but keep in mind that provisions are minimal. I think I remember packing in some foods from Ft. Lauderdale on the advise of the owner. If you like to eat out like we do, the food at the yacht club is excellent and not too expensive. They will even pack lunches for you if you're going boating to other islands. Other options are to go to the dock in the afternoon and purchase lobster or grouper from the locals. We bought nice lobster for about 5 bucks each and cooked in one night. Club Thunderball also has a barbeque night which many of the yachters come in for. If you and yours are the adventurous type this will be a vacation that you will look back on often and it will always put a smile on your face.Johnrudy said:
My last piece of advise for now would be to charter a plane from Ft Lauderdale which will clear customs on Andros Island or some other small place vs. clearing in Nassau which I'm told can be a pain in the a_ _. We did this and literally had to wake up the guy on duty.
If you need any other info, let me know or leave me you phone # and I will be glad to give you a ring.
Thanks again for the advice and suggestions. Will check out the cottage site. We would rather stay in a larger cottage, etc.
Johnrudy said:
I have been to Eleuthera , many years back.....so beautiful
and in my eyes St.John is just the best, very quiet and most of the island is protected land so it is very lush as well. We took a boat there from St Thomas and spent three days.....this place is heaven