LITTLE WHALE CAY
Capital:
The Berry Islands and Little Whale Cay are part of the Bahamas, the capital of
which is Nassau.
Visas: Visas and passports are not required of citizens of the UK and Commonwealth or Canada who stay three weeks or less. Visitors from most other European countries need passports but not visas for stays up to three months. US citizens do not need a passport or visa for stays of less than eight months but must show proof of citizenship. Air passengers must have a return or ongoing airline ticket.
Time: GMT/UTC minus five hours
Electricity: 110V, 60Hz
Weights & measures: Imperial
Currency: Bahamian
dollar (B$)
Recommended
times to visit:
March
to July are the optimum months. There is a risk of cool fronts during the
January and February, and after July the weather can become too hot for comfort.
Getting
there: Because of its
proximity to Nassau, Little Whale is only a fifteen-minute flight by private
charter from the Bahamian capital, or an hour’s flight from Fort Lauderdale in
Florida where an agent will meet guests on arrival and transfer them to the
private charter for Little Whale
The string of tiny islands that lie due north of Nassau are known as the Berry
Islands and include the privately owned Little Whale Cay,
available for exclusive use rental through Wild and
Exotic. This ninety-three acre
paradise is unrivalled as the ultimate Bahamian retreat for a family or small
group holiday, and comes complete with all the luxuries that combine to create
an unforgettable stay. Guests on the island can choose from the beautifully
furnished main house with two lavish double bedrooms, the four bedroomed
Flamingo House, ideal for a large family, or the romantic Peacock House, perched
idyllically on high ground looking out to sea, which sleeps another couple in a
secluded location. Included in the rental price of this island are experienced
retained staff under the supervision of a manager, whose job it is to ensure the
comfort and enjoyment of the guests. A qualified chef and stewardess serve meals
whenever you request them; breakfast is normally taken around a huge circular
table in the main house, lunch besides the swimming pool, and superb three
course dinners outside on the terrace where peacocks roosting on the wall behind
create an appropriate exotic backdrop.
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| The beach | Tennis court | Main House from the beach |
One of the delights of this private island is the wide range of activities available to the guests. Few who stay here spend much time watching the satellite TV or VCR, but instead play tennis on the superb hard court, swim in the warm waters that lap the pristine sandy beach or snorkel over the coral reef that lies submerged under several feet of clear water only yards offshore. Another choice is to test your skill with the island’s sea kayaks or sailing dinghies, or perhaps simply laze besides the pool sipping ice-cold cocktails. There are two boats moored at the island’s private marina and Little Whale’s skipper, Arthur Albury, is on permanent standby to take guests out to fish, water-ski or explore the countless uninhabited cays with names like Cockroach, Vigilant, Fish and Bond. You may like to take a picnic lunch with you on these trips, or alternatively call in to nearby Little Harbour Cay and sample Flo’s delicious conch fritters and fresh lobster.
The fishing
here is as varied as it is rewarding; the tongue of the ocean, where the depths
plummet to 16,000 fathoms, lies within a mile or so of land and yields up hard
fighting kingfish, grouper, bar tailed jack, and wahoo. Lures trolled close to
the shoreline produce ferocious, slashing takes from silver barracuda and other
shallow water fish. The saltwater fly fishers will find the flats of their
dreams awaiting them, and bonefish the size of large pike that cruise the
shallows. Very often huge schools of these ubiquitous fish can be seen as dark
shapes from the air as your plane whisks you into Little Whale’s private
runway from Nassau. Once Arthur has pointed out his favourite spots, the
experienced angler can indulge hours of solitary pursuit, or if preferred we can
arrange for the services of a competent local guide.
The island
is available for a maximum of twelve guests at a time, and the rates vary
according to the season, but start from £2,350 per person per week, fully
inclusive of all the islands facilities, boat excursions, fishing, food and
drink.
