Green Turtle shells, etc.--click for details...

ACTIVITIES...

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AT BLUFF HOUSE...

On their private beach:
Sun bathing.
Playing in the pink sand with the little ones.
Swimming and snorkeling in the crystal clear water--shallow next to the beach, deeper to the right
     of the exposed coral head.
Wading for seastars (starfish).
Reading under the sun or the palms.
Running--a half mile down the beach and a half mile back. 
On their 12 acre grounds:
Shopping at the Island Boutique.
Dining out at either or both restaurants.
Tennis.
Spin and bait cast fishing (bring your own tackle please)--David, a second generation Phillips (the
     owners of Bluff House) swears he has caught bone fish on Bluff House's private beach.
Running and hiking--down the private beach, or up and down steep gradients and "the stair
     challenge."
(For the adventurous) Diving the Bluff House wreck off the Jolly Rodger.
Sunset watching.
At their pool:
Sunning.
Swimming.
Libations.
ON AND ABOUT THE ISLAND...
Running and hiking--the road to town is paved and several miles long; longer with detours down the unpaved
     roads to the ocean beaches and Bita Bay.
On the Beaches--Bita Bay:
Sunning and watching the magnificent water colors--aqua blues, pinks and greens.
Swimming and snorkeling--reefs in 3-10' of water within 20 yards of the beach just right for younger
     snorkelers, with coral, fish and pockets of smaller shells.
Walking or running the beach.
Watching the daily (land) hermit crab migration to and from the waters edge.
On the Beaches--Ocean Beaches:
Sunning, swimming and snorkeling--two reefs parallel the beach, one beginning about 150 yards
     from the beach, occasionally with young sea turtles (hawksbill and a few green turtles). Bring
     your underwater camera, only make sure it compensates for the "blue effect" and it has a strong
     flash.
Scuba--reefs and a wreck in crystal clear water.
Shelling.
Walking or running the beaches.
Scavenging--after a storm at sea many unusual objects wash ashore (e.g., a bell buoy has been
     rusting away on one ocean beach for twenty-five years, and I have found bits of lost aircraft). 
Outboard motor boat rental--for picnicking and exploring nearby uninhabited islands. There are two nearby
     uninhabited islands, Munjack Cay to the North and Noname Cay to the South. Munjack has
     beautiful beaches on its western side. Noname is especially unspoiled, with small intimate beaches on
     the West side off of which are clouds of minnows, rather shy moray eels, brittle stars, an occasional
     octopus or sea snake, and a mysterious man-made object in the water at the extreme Southwest end
     of the island that no one seems to know is there. White sound, directly across from Bluff House is
     accessible only by boat and only at high tide, and is the source of many tall tales about yachts, sail
     boats, and a house boat lost in past hurricanes.
Golf cart rental for island exploration--although the island is small, this is the most efficient means of
     seeing the most accessible parts of it.
On the road to town (New Plymouth)--sight-seeing and diversions down unpaved roads, some little-used.
     There is a path paralleling the main road that is so little used that it is overgrown, with occasional land
     hermit crabs as big as softballs.
In New Plymouth:
Sight-seeing--The Albert Lowe Museum: like the town, small but a must see. It contains important
     artifacts of Bahamas' history from 300 BC and the Lucayan Indians, through the little-known (in
     the U.S.) American Loyalist emigration period of the 1780's--The Bahamas and Key West (and
     Nova Scotia) were settled by American Loyalists and New Plymouth was among the first
     Loyalist settlements.
(Some) shopping--fresh home made bread, and bargains on Cuban cigars, and spirits. The little
     shop across from the commercial or public dock (one slip) has bargain Cuban cigars, a good
     selection of California wines, and an occasionally astonishing art gallery with local artists work
     for sale. There is also a curious gift shop across from the Albert Lowe Museum that is open
     irregularly.
Eating--there is excellent casual dining at the New Plymouth Inn. Reservations are usually not
     necessary but they couldn't hurt.
Excursions:
Scuba--PADI certified instructors are available on the island (Brendal's).
Guided fly fishing expeditions for bone fish, or spin and bait cast fishing excursions. Lincoln Jones
     hosts fishing-picnicking-ray-feeding trips--the picnic features the freshly caught fish, and the rays
     are tame and will take fish bits from between your toes (a strange sensation). 
Marsh Harbor (on the next island over)--shopping and eating. Somewhat remote by water taxi then a
     1 hour cab ride, Marsh Harbor is nevertheless worth the trip during a week-long stay at Bluff
     House. Second only to Nassau in size (but still rather small) Marsh Harbor has unique jewelry
     stores, some with gold creations in 18-23 karat gold that appear to have inspired U.S. artisans
     such as (Robert) Wyland (e.g., Abaco Gold). John Bull has Rolexes and other fine watches at
     Bahamian prices. There are also several excellent casual restaurants (Mango's and
     Wally's)--they are mobbed every day for lunch and dinner and they do not take reservations, so
     you should plan to eat early or late.
Suggested Itinerary:
Day 1: Because you will probably arrive in the PM, you should plan to leave the luggage to Bluff House and proceed directly to the Jolly Roger for the lunch you probably missed, and the local beer (Kalik--excellent. Try Kalik Gold, it's higher octane than allowed in the U.S.), an imported beer, or something shaken not stirred. Next, make your dinner reservations and find out when the next party is (usually on the weekends), then settle into your room and get ready for dinner. You may want to arrive early for dinner to allow time for more libations and glancing at the itinerary below, and maybe thinking about reservations tomorrow. Don't forget the sunset--it will be on the Katy's Split Level Suites side.
(From this point on the order of the activities may not be particularly important)
 

Day 2: You should probably plan to sleep in, but allow a little time to have breakfast at the Jolly Roger. Then, you might make a few reservations for the rest of your stay--or not (some guests prefer to take each day as it comes). Next, you may want to explore Bluff House on foot and get in an hour or so on the Bluff House beach (be careful of too much sun the first day--15 minutes without sunscreen is usually the max). Wine and anything you forgot, or could not bring (like a lighter), should be available at the gift shop during the day. Don't forget lunch at the Jolly Roger. The burgers and hot dogs are a grade that is higher than that available in U.S. fast food places. Don't forget dinner and the sunset. Consider the ala carte restaurant "up top"--it is small and intimate, it has candlelight and linen tablecloths, and it has remarkable fine cuisine and wine.

 

Day 3: You may want to repeat day 2, especially the Bluff House beach part. Consider adding walking the entire length of the beach (best at low tide when there are many creatures on the beach), wading for seastars (wear shower shoes or scuff your feet as you walk to avoid stepping on a sea urchin), reading and playing in the sand with your little ones. Don't forget lunch at the Jolly Roger. Consider trying the conch things at the Jolly Roger at least once. Don't forget dinner and the sunset. Later, you might want to take a glance at the starry sky. Even if you did not bring a star chart the display on a cloudless night is remarkable--the milky way is the thin band of stars running overhead usually perpendicular to the Bluff House beach. If you are not into stars you might try a glass of wine under the stars.

 

Day 4: Consider snorkeling the right-hand side of the exposed coral head on the extreme right side of Bluff House's private beach. At high tide there are many small tropical fish around the right side of the coral head--just right for younger divers. At low tide try the dock around the corner. Pay particular attention to the pilings--no barnacles but frequently lots of activity--and the bottom under the dock near the shore--look for burrowing things. If you did not bring masks they are available at the marina. Don't forget lunch and dinner. If you did not do the wine thing under the stars last night, consider reconsidering tonight--glasses should be in your room.

 

Day 5: You will probably want to explore the Ocean Beaches at some point--the pinks, light blues and light greens of the water are magnificent (see "On the Beaches--Ocean Beaches" above). The first ocean beach is within hiking distance for adults, but the little ones will probably not make it. You may want to rent a golf cart if you have not already done so. If none is available, there are scooters and bicycles available at "The Club"--the business  office will make the call for you. Consider having the Jolly Roger pack you a lunch. If you did not bring water bottles, don't forget to ask for a liter or two of water for each person in your party, and don't forget the sunscreen.

 

Day 6: If you did not make it to Bita Bay, you will probably want to explore it (see "On the Beaches--Bita Bay" above), and even if you have never snorkeled, the reefs are a must see. This beach-in-a-cove is also close enough for hikers, but some, especially the little ones will probably not be able to make it. Again  consider having the Jolly Roger pack your lunch, and don't forget water and sunscreen. 

 

Day 7: At some point you should consider seeing New Plymouth (see "On the road to town" and  " In New Plymouth" above)--The Albert Lowe Museum houses an important part of Bahamian, Caribbean and U.S. history--the homemade bread, Miss Emily's Blue Bee, the art gallery, the gift shop, the Cuban cigars and the wine aren't bad either. Consider lunch at the New Plymouth Inn.

 

Day 8: An excursion with Lincoln Jones is frequently the high point of a visit (see "Excursions" above). The AM is usually spent fishing (spinning reels--he provides) for 3-9 pounders, and in season there is snorkeling for spiny lobster (bring you own face mask), which Lincoln cooks for lunch. The leftovers are fed to the rays and a few small (tame) Caribbean sharks (see the picture on the second page of "Green Turtle Cay in Pictures" for ray feeding).

 

Day 9: If you are into diving you will not want to miss a half or full day diving with Brendal. Green Turtle Cay has at least one wreck, and numerous shallow and deep reefs and holes. Bring your own gear or rent from Brendal. You may not have time to become PADI certified, but Brendal and his staff can help you along in that direction if you wish.

 

Day 10: Many guests say that a trip to the beaches at Munjack Cay are obligatory (see " Outboard motor boat rental" above). You will probably want to reserve your outboard motor boat the day before, and consider having Jolly Roger pack lunch and provide water (and other beverages). Several hints: plan to stay close to shore in your boat (but watch the depth, the boat needs a foot or more of water under the outboard's propeller. If you run aground put on your shower shoes, jump over the side, and push the boat back the way you came). Please do not attempt driving to the East (Ocean) side of the island (too rough and there are currents). If you want to call anyone you will want to bring your own VHF 2-way radio or a working cell phone (seldom if ever necessary however). Plan to place these and your camera in Ziploc bags to keep the water out, and don't forget sunglasses and sunscreen (and mosquito repellant--just in case). If the wind comes up and it is too rough to go out on your boat, consider exploring White Sound (see "Outboard motor boat rental" above)--it's land-locked and thus somewhat protected.

 

Day 11: If you liked Munjack but wanted to see more nature you will probably love Noname Cay (again, see " Outboard motor boat rental" above). The beaches are much smaller, but the attractions at their water's edges are worth the trip. The extreme South end of the island (farthest from Bluff House) is seldom visited and usually has the most unusual fauna. Again, the suggestions made above: you will probably want to reserve your outboard motor boat the day before, and consider having Jolly Roger pack lunch and provide water (and other beverages). Several hints: plan to stay close to shore in your boat (but watch the depth, the boat needs a foot or more of water under the outboard's propeller. If you run aground put on your shower shoes, jump over the side, and push the boat back the way you came). Please do not attempt driving to the East (Ocean) side of the island (too rough and there are currents). If you want to call anyone you will want to bring your own VHF 2-way radio or a working cell phone (seldom if ever necessary however). Plan to place these and your camera in Ziploc bags to keep the water out, and don't forget sunglasses and sunscreen (and mosquito repellant--just in case). If the wind comes up and it is too rough to go out on your boat, consider exploring White Sound (see " Outboard motor boat rental" above)--it's land-locked and thus somewhat protected.

 

Day 12: For a nice change of pace you might want to see Marsh Harbor and the jewelry stores. Don't forget lunch at Mango's or Wally's, but keep an eye on the time--the last water taxi back to Bluff House has a strict departure schedule.

 

Day 13: For fly or spin casters who love bonefish or permit fishing a trip with one of the Sawyers as a guide is a must. Several hints: consider having Jolly Roger pack your lunch and provide water (but skip the other beverages). Don't forget you rods, reels, flies and mosquito repellent (and be prepared for the possibility of being skunked--the guides are good and the fish are plentiful, but the wind will challenge your casting, and the fish are just as difficult to hook and boat as they are in the Keys).

 

If you stay more than a few days you might consider repeating Days 2 or 3, especially the ala carte dining. Bluff House has two world-class chefs, an excellent wine list, and the cuisine, the ambiance and the service are excellent.

 
A note on the Jolly Roger: the burgers and hot dogs are a "cut above," the island delicacies are a must try, but some days it is very popular. In addition, this is the Islands and everything happens at a different pace. Thus, you probably should not wait until everyone is starving, and a drink or two for the adults and a snack for the little ones may be appropriate while you wait.
 
A note on golf carts: Green Turtle Cay has a few cars and trucks (none for rent), a Taxi, and rental golf carts. Some visitors prefer golf carts to walking, and if you think you might be one of them you probably should reserve your golf cart before you arrive to guarantee availability.

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