About The Berry Islands

There are so many incredible cays to explore

The Berry Islands lie 150 miles east of Miami and 50 miles northeast of Nassau. It is believed they were given that name because of the abundance of thatch berry trees found here. Decked with greens and fringed with drifts of sand, here you can find a multitude of magical harbors and swim-ashore beaches. These largely uninhabited islands offer spectacular diving and snorkeling and are known for championship sport fishing, second only to Bimini.

With a land mass totaling about a dozen square miles, these cays rest on the eastern edge of the Great Bahama Bank, starting with Great Stirrup Cay and extending to Chub Cay in the south. Great Harbour Cay, the largest of them at 8,300 acres, was once a major golf resort where the rich and famous came to play. It has seven continuous miles of beautiful beaches with one of the best protected harbors in The Bahamas. Bullock's Harbour, adjoining Great Harbour Cay, is the administrative center and home to most of the islands' local population.

Great Stirrup Cay has an 1863 lighthouse and Williamstown, now abandoned, was established there during the reign of William IV. Private Little Stirrup Cay is used by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines as a one-day cruise stopover.

Chub Cay borders a deep-sea gully known as the Tongue of the Ocean, earning it the moniker "Billfish Capital of The Bahamas." Bait fish are drawn into the submarine gardens off its coast and larger fish follow, making it a fisherman's paradise with guaranteed winning catches.

Some of the cays had thriving industries in the past. Whale Cay was once the site of a sisal and sponging plantation. Cistern Cay was once a private development with an airstrip and marina, but is now just an uninhabited island left in ruins and has been stocked by the locals for hunting.

A good number of the cays, like Frazier’s Hog Cay and Bonds Cay, suitable for stock raising and agriculture, are privately owned. Other private cays include Crab Cay, Cock Roach Cay, Frozen Cay, Alder Cay, Bird Cay and Petite Cay. There are more millionaires here per square mile than most places on earth.