island news
Now is the time to begin the booking process for the 2023 Fall season, and for Winter and Spring 2024!
If you want to secure the best dates in prime time, booking in advance is the only way. We consider October and November, and March through May as the prime months, with December through February good winter fishing, especially for big bones. Those double digit monsters love the cooler water. And if your focus is tarpon along with the bones and the occasional permit, June is a great choice.
Depending on your needs and pleasures, several of the best places to stay are Fernandez Bay Village and Hawk's Nest Resort and Marina, or in various rental houses. For a romantic retreat in an idyllic beachfront setting, it's hard to beat Fernandez Bay. Offshore anglers will be best served at Hawk's Nest. Snorkeling and diving enthusiasts usually pick Greenwood Beach Resort. The best flats fishing is at the northern and southern ends of the island, though there are a few options through the middle sections, and some ocean flats on the "north shore". Fernandez Bay has flats right at Smith Bay, but those get pounded and the fish are spooky. The best right-out-your-door fishing is from Greenwood, Pigeon Cay, Bennett's Harbour, and Hawks Nest.
Shannas Cove Resort, Orange Creek - Rated #1 on Trip Advisor for Cat Island and one of the best boutique options in the Bahamas for a couples/romantic vacation. This is a secluded beachside paradise for relaxing, eating, drinking, fishing and diving....and sharing some romance with your significant other. Excellent restaurant, spacious beachside bungalows with AC and large bathrooms, diving school, and plenty of assisted or DIY fishing. You need to rent a car no matter where you stay on Cat Island.
If you want to secure the best dates in prime time, booking in advance is the only way. We consider October and November, and March through May as the prime months, with December through February good winter fishing, especially for big bones. Those double digit monsters love the cooler water. And if your focus is tarpon along with the bones and the occasional permit, June is a great choice.
Depending on your needs and pleasures, several of the best places to stay are Fernandez Bay Village and Hawk's Nest Resort and Marina, or in various rental houses. For a romantic retreat in an idyllic beachfront setting, it's hard to beat Fernandez Bay. Offshore anglers will be best served at Hawk's Nest. Snorkeling and diving enthusiasts usually pick Greenwood Beach Resort. The best flats fishing is at the northern and southern ends of the island, though there are a few options through the middle sections, and some ocean flats on the "north shore". Fernandez Bay has flats right at Smith Bay, but those get pounded and the fish are spooky. The best right-out-your-door fishing is from Greenwood, Pigeon Cay, Bennett's Harbour, and Hawks Nest.
Shannas Cove Resort, Orange Creek - Rated #1 on Trip Advisor for Cat Island and one of the best boutique options in the Bahamas for a couples/romantic vacation. This is a secluded beachside paradise for relaxing, eating, drinking, fishing and diving....and sharing some romance with your significant other. Excellent restaurant, spacious beachside bungalows with AC and large bathrooms, diving school, and plenty of assisted or DIY fishing. You need to rent a car no matter where you stay on Cat Island.
additional accommodations
Sammy Ts Beach Resort, is back in action and receiving positive reviews from our clients, plus good write-ups in some swanky magazines. Also a Fodor's Choice, though we wouldn't agree with that as service isn't up to that standard. But if you want to go hang out, relax, and do some fishing on your own, this is a fun option. And it's inexpensive!
Cat Island has become more popular with do-it-yourself anglers, and anglers looking for inexpensive bonefish options (usually the same thing, same people). Be aware that you may actually see some other people on some well-known flats, and the fish will be spookier on these flats. There are still plenty of locations to get away from everyone, just have to look harder. For best access to DIY fishing, you need to rent a car.
Air Service: Cat Island Air (242-377-3318) flies daily to New Bight from Nassau. They are reliable and inexpensive. Southern Air (242-377-2014) flies from Nassau to Arthur's Town, and is the best service for the northern portion of the island. Lynx Air (888-596-9247 FREE) and Gulfstream (Continental's commuter) fly into New Bight from Fort Lauderdale. You can also charter directly to Hawk's Nest, landing at the airstrip there.
Fishing Reports: Good fishing in general around the island. The creek flats behind Hawks Nest Marina continue to fish well, but take your insect repellent. When the wind is down, fish the ocean side flats south of Greenwood Beach Resort or the larger flats in front of Pigeon Cay and Bennett's Harbour. Orange Creek area is also very good but you have to play the tides just right. Offshore Anglers have been having good tuna and dorado action from Hawk's Nest.
Hawks Nest Resort and Marina - It is common for offshore boats to take over thirty dorado a day in the waters off Hawk's Nest, both in the Exuma Sound, and in the currents between Cat Island and Long Island. Or you can fish the adjacent creeks for bonefish, and you'll rarely see another angler. Hawk's Nest has deluxe air-conditioned accommodations at reasonable prices. Accommodations overlook the pool, a strip of white sand beach, and the aquamarine Exuma Sound beyond. The restaurant serves fresh seafood, including grilled wahoo, Bahamian-style grouper, and succulent conch salad, or you can enjoy a rack of lamb. The bar is a fun place to hang out and make of fishing stories. The expanded 28-slip marina has new docks, air-conditioned fish-cleaning shed, gas and diesel fuel, electricity, ice and water. The resort also has a comprehensive diving and snorkeling program. A 4,600-foot private airstrip is on the resort property for easy access, or you can fly in commercial to New Bight.
Email Stephen directly for more details and to begin booking your trip.
Cat Island has become more popular with do-it-yourself anglers, and anglers looking for inexpensive bonefish options (usually the same thing, same people). Be aware that you may actually see some other people on some well-known flats, and the fish will be spookier on these flats. There are still plenty of locations to get away from everyone, just have to look harder. For best access to DIY fishing, you need to rent a car.
Air Service: Cat Island Air (242-377-3318) flies daily to New Bight from Nassau. They are reliable and inexpensive. Southern Air (242-377-2014) flies from Nassau to Arthur's Town, and is the best service for the northern portion of the island. Lynx Air (888-596-9247 FREE) and Gulfstream (Continental's commuter) fly into New Bight from Fort Lauderdale. You can also charter directly to Hawk's Nest, landing at the airstrip there.
Fishing Reports: Good fishing in general around the island. The creek flats behind Hawks Nest Marina continue to fish well, but take your insect repellent. When the wind is down, fish the ocean side flats south of Greenwood Beach Resort or the larger flats in front of Pigeon Cay and Bennett's Harbour. Orange Creek area is also very good but you have to play the tides just right. Offshore Anglers have been having good tuna and dorado action from Hawk's Nest.
Hawks Nest Resort and Marina - It is common for offshore boats to take over thirty dorado a day in the waters off Hawk's Nest, both in the Exuma Sound, and in the currents between Cat Island and Long Island. Or you can fish the adjacent creeks for bonefish, and you'll rarely see another angler. Hawk's Nest has deluxe air-conditioned accommodations at reasonable prices. Accommodations overlook the pool, a strip of white sand beach, and the aquamarine Exuma Sound beyond. The restaurant serves fresh seafood, including grilled wahoo, Bahamian-style grouper, and succulent conch salad, or you can enjoy a rack of lamb. The bar is a fun place to hang out and make of fishing stories. The expanded 28-slip marina has new docks, air-conditioned fish-cleaning shed, gas and diesel fuel, electricity, ice and water. The resort also has a comprehensive diving and snorkeling program. A 4,600-foot private airstrip is on the resort property for easy access, or you can fly in commercial to New Bight.
Email Stephen directly for more details and to begin booking your trip.