| Beachcombing: |
There
are plenty of beaches to visit on Long Island. One is right
outside the villa door. This is known as Thompson Bay.
Our beach seems to go on forever. The beach tends to change
according to season, weather, and gravitational pull by the
moon. So the scenery is constantly changing like artwork on
canvas. One week you will have nothing but sand and the next
week you could have harder sand with thousands of seashells.
Natural sponges and huge conch shells are other natural things
you will probably see on our beach.
To
the right of the villa (if you are facing the beach), there
is a turtle preserve. These Endangered
Turtles migrate back to their native beach to reproduce. Click
here to read more about these turtles and other endangered
species you may encounter during your beachcombing walk. For
the most part, in the winter months the sand is soft and the
tide seems higher. In January, you may start seeing the turtles
laying their eggs on the beach. During the spring, you will
see harder sand on the beach and turtle eggs start hatching
in April and May.
Other noteworthy beaches:
Cape Santa Maria Beach (north end of Long Island)
Columbus Harbor Beach (north end of Long Island),
this one-mile protected beach is where Christopher Columbus
is said to have sailed up on.
Deal's Beach has a lot of pine trees
offering shade along this 2 mile beach. It is located along
the island's main road. Located on the Caribbean side north
of Simms.
Ford's Beach is one of the island's best
swimming aeras with it's white sandy beach and crystal clear
waters. Just
beyond Roses settlement but befroe Gordons. At the Petrol
tanks on teh right take the next road to the right.
Gordons Beach -
Follow Queen's highway all the way to the end of the road
going South. (See below...)
Grays Harbor Drive Beach - In Gray's, turn left
on Harbor Drive and follow this road all the way to the end
to reach a beautiful beach - possible surfing spot. Fisherman
net in this cove. (See below...)
Harding's Beach - take the road to the left
next to Hardings Supply store. This beach is beautiful and
very close to our villa in Salt Pond. (See below..)
Love's Beach - located off of Stella Marais
- this is a private beach.
McCann's Beach - (unnamed) - 200 yards wide
crescent beach.
O'Neils (two beaches) - good snorkeling.
Hardings Salt Pond Beach - The closest beach
on the Atlantic side of the island to our house. Right next
to Hardings Supply store, turn East and follow this road to
the end. (See Below...)
Turtle Cover Beach
South
End beaches
|
| Biking: |
We
have three bicycles that can be rented for $35 a week. Depending
on how in shape you are, there are numerous places to bike to.
See Local
Attractions. |
| Birding: |
If
you are a bird lover, bring your binoculars. Some of the most
exotic and interesting birds you may find are located right
outside our villa. Watch for the Bahamas Parrot, Indian Flamingos,
Green Heron, Bahamas Yellowthroat, Striped-headed Tanager, and
many more. During the fall and winter months, migrating birds
will fly through such as the Ruddy Turnstone, Black-whiskered
Vireo and the Eastern Kingbird. |
| Boating
and Sailing: |
Long
Island is the home of the best boat builders and sailors in
the country.
We have a list of people willing to take you around the island
on a boating tour. After you place your deposit with us, make
sure to ask us for our boat tour guide list.
We
have a friend who is willing to loan his boat to experienced
boaters only. After you place your deposit with us, make sure
to request his name if you are interested in renting a boat.
If you have your own boat, check out the marina's
in Long Island.
|
| Calendar
of Events: |
2010
January: Third- Home Owners Reception.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism.
February 12-14: Agriculture Expo in Salt Pond.
Enjoy local crafts in booths, watch them make fresh Conch
salad starting with the shell. Learn how to filet a Lion Fish.
Watch the judging of the sheep and roosters.
March or April: Cornfest Festival,
Salt Pond. Sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, this festival
starts with an opening church Service, family fun & Game-Night,
Culture and talent Night, Farmers Honorary Banquet, Fun Run/Walk
from the Life Center oasis to McKann's. An Agriculture Seminar,
Corn Festival at Regatta park and a Gospel Concert at Beulah
Baptist Church. Corn competitions, Kid's Corner, a Livestock
display, Miss and Little Miss Corn and Miss Cornfest Beauty
pageant, with lots of corn dishes, food and drinks on sale.
April: Free Diving Competition at Deans
Blue Hole by Clarence Town.
Early Knowles Memorial cup races at the Regatta Site
in Clarenct Town.
May: 6th Annual All Tackle Fishing Tournament,
Flying Fish marina Clarence Town. Sign up at Cartie Co. 337-6066
or Chamcem Boats 337-0199.
June: Long Island
Regatta and North Long Island Long Island regatta Site
Salt Pond 43rd in Salt pond
July: Annual Long Island Homecoming
Glintons Park, North Long Island
September: Bird Hunting Season Opens
|
| Cave
Exploring - Spelunking: |
View
our list of caves to visit. |
| Churches: |
Click here for on churches
on Long Island. |
| Croquet: |
At our villa we have a new croquet set that can
be set up at your convenience in our sandy front yard. |
| Festivals/
Regatta: |
Long
Island Regatta (held in mid- May). Our villa is
the place to stay during the Regatta. If you have an interest
in sailboats the Regatta is for you. Sailboats participating
in the Regatta will pass right by our villa to get to Salt Pond
(which is on the other side of the peninsula our villa is located
on). You can enjoy the view from our Lanai. The Regatta is a
big four day festival event held in Salt Pond where Bahamians
build their own sail boats by hand and compete in the event.
Bands play during the event and rum is served. Salt Pond is
the main commercial node of Long Island. Another viewing option
to is to walk down the driveway and straight across the road
to the Bahamian Village (as of today Bahamian Village is not
open but they hope to have a hot dog stand open during the Regatta
where you can sit down under a hut to watch the Regatta). You
can also walk to Salt Pond and board a spectator boat in for
a close -up view of the action. The Regatta was started in 1967
by a boat lover named Rupert Knowles. Rupert has long since
passed away however, his relatives are still found on the island.
He is the grandfather of Judy Knowles (Judy owns a furniture
store in Deadman's Cay). Judy Knowles also opens up bar area
in the back of her furniture store during the Regatta. Click
here for more on the Regatta.
- CornFest, a celebration of the fruits of the local farmer's
labour.
- Long Island Regatta in May or June
- Basketball Festival: Feb 19, 20, 21st.
- Model Boat Fest: North of Seymors on Newton's
cay, Model Boat Fest takes place at Bridge
Beach near Seymours each August or October, call Alvin Smith
for details 242-338-5273
- Winter
Residences Celebration in January
|
| Fishing
- Bone-fishing: |
Bone
fishing is the best you will ever have it in Long Island.
In other words, it does not get any better than this. Walk
out about 20 feet on the beach in front of our villa and cast
our your fishing line for bonefish. Our bay is one of the
best places to catch bonefish in the entire Bahamas.
Bonefish feed in shallow water. So you can see their tails
splash in the waters by our villa. Problem is as soon as you
see them, they seem to disappear as fast as they came. So
there is skill involved in catching these fish who live in
the most beautiful waters in the world. Even though they weigh
in at more than 12 pounds they are one of the strongest fighting
fish in the ocean.
If
you are interested in Bone-fishing, simply request a
list of bonefisherman after you have placed your deposit
with us.
|
| Fishing
- Deep Sea: |
Long
Island is the ultimate destination for sport fishing. Bone
fishing is the best you will ever have it in Long Island.
The North Equatorial Current stream washes the shores of Long
Island bringing with it schools of blue and white marlin,
sailfish, rainbow runners, Yellowfin and blackfin (July -
Dec.) tuna, wahoo (Sept. - Nov.), dolphinfish, snapper, grouper,
jewfish, barracuda, horseye jacks, amberjack, and kin mackerel
to name a few.
If
you are interested in having a deepsea fisherman take you
out to the best fishing places in the Long Island area,
ask us for the list after you have placed your deposit
down with us. Please note: all of our recommendations have
grew up and know the best places to fish in Long Island.
|
| Hiking: |
There
are numerous places to hike in Long Island. Send us your adventures
so that we can post them for other people. Columbus
Monument is a great hike as well as a ship
wreck in Loves Beach. |
| Horticulture: |
Bush
medicine has always been in the culture of Long Islanders. Flowering
plants are everywhere on this island. Click
here for learning about plants around our house. |
| Kayaking: |
There is a place close by our villa that rents kayaks. One-man
kayak rentals are $35 per day or $120 per week and include
back rest, paddle and life jacket. They will deliver kayaks
with one week rental. Please note: we do no allow kayaks to
be taken on top of our behind our SUV. One week rental includes
delivery of kayaks. If you are interested in renting kayaks,
let us know after you have placed your deposit, and we will
send you names
to contact.
|
| Library/
Museum: |
Long Island Museum in Deadman's Cay.
Part of the National Museum of The Bahamas/Antiquities, Monuments
and Museums Corporation, this museum is committed to the preservation
and interpretation of the history and culture of Long Island. |
| Reefs: |
See
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving. Long Island has some of the best
reefs in the Bahamas. |
| Regatta: |
See
Festivalslisted above. |
| Restaurants: |
Click
here for our restaurant guide and selections. |
| Scuba
Diving: |
Long
Island has some of the best dive sites in the Bahamas. Best
Dive Sites:
Awawak
'Green' Hole: A bottomless blue hole.
Conception Island Wall: A 40 foot wall that
extends into darkness. Not a dive for the beginner.
Dean's
Blue Hole: Click
here for details.
Grouper Valley: Here you can see schools of
Grouper congregate together. Best time is November.
Grouper Village: Bring some food as these tame
groupers like to eat out of your hand.
HMS Southampton: It is believed that Captain
Sir James Yeo hit a reef to sink the Southhampton in 1812.
This is a huge stretch of reef in shallow waters starting
at 10 feet deep and reaching 90 feet deep.
Shark Reef: Want to swim with the sharks?
This reef is for you.
Ship's Graveyard: If you like to explore
sunken ships and an old 1975 Ford van.
MV Comerback was a ship that sunk in 1986
Rum Cay Wall: a wall that plunges 40 feet deep.
Closest dive shop is right down the road from our villa at
the Marine store in Salt Pond.
For a list of people who can scuba certify you, take you on
scuba dives, or rent you scuba equipment while visiting Long
Island, click
here.
|
| Scenic
Drives: |
The
entire island is scenic. Just jump on Queens Highway and this
runs the entire island from North to South. |
| Shipwrecks: |
By Love's beach there is a newer shipwreck
that you can reach by foot.
There is another shipwreck in Guana Cay in just 15 feet of
water. You will need to swim out to the Cay from Pinders.
|
| Shopping: |
There
are several small shops on the island (did I mention they
are small?):
Art Galleries:
Sandra Richie Pratt 242-374-2826
Automotive:
Fox Auto Body (Salt Pond) 338-0041
Bait and Tackle
Bonafide Fly Shop (Stella Marais) 338-2025
Fisherman's Marine (Hamiltons) 337-6226
Sea Fearer (Salt Pond)
Bakery:
Oasis Bakery (Cartwrights) 337-3003
Ritchies (Deadman's cay) 337-0004
Books and Magazines:
The Readery (Cartwrights) 337-6210
Fox Gift & KC2 Tool Store: - Shown below:
Straw
works: Straw artisans are abundant in Long Island.
Simm's Super Straw (next to the Methodist Church) in Simms.
Richie Rich's Gift Shop purchase straw-work
in Deadman's Cay.
In Millerton's you'll find a roadside straw works
buy handicraft by local artists.
Stray artists in the North of the Island include:
Cheryl
Adderly
Elsie Knowles 338-8881
Ester Minnis
Idella
Adderly
Perline Cartwright
Straw artists in the center of Long Island are:
Julelah Knowles of Julelah's Straw Work in Simms.
Jennifer Turnquest (Hamiltons)
Dorothy E Miller
Berts Dry Goods 338-7015
Cheryl's Creations 338-8322
Lorna's (Cartwrights) 337-0179
Straw
artists in the South of the Island include:
Keva Turnquest (Deadman's Cay)
Julelah Knowles of Julelah's Straw
Maria Cartwright of (Hard Bargain)
HandiCraft a manufacturing outlet ( Millertons)
Ena L Majors Creations: (Clarence
Town)
Natural
Products Factory (south of Petty) man-made liquors
of rum and lime.
Wild Tamarind Pottery & Gallery. Pottery
Studio with works from artist, Denis Knight. 242-337-0262
Wood carvings by Charles: Close to Grotto Bay in Salt
Pond.
Clothing:
Island Styles 337-6213
D's Collection 337-2325 in Grays
Le Rose 337-0259
A little big of everything stores:
It's All Under The Sun 338-2025 in Mangrove Bush
Hardings in Salt Pond
Florist/Nursery
Cassidy Plants 337-6455
Flowers and Things by Emcee in Pettys 337-0345
*M&R by Beverly in Millertons
Furniture:
Judy's Home Center (Petty's)
Groceries:
Hardings
Supply Center & Grocery Store (Salt Pond) 338-0022
Hillside Supplies (Salt Pond) 338-0022
JB's
Supermarket and furniture store - Deadman's Cay
|
| Snorkeling
on cays: |
Long
Island has some of the best dive sites in the
Bahamas.
Right
outside our villa is Sturrups Cay. Take a boat
over to this Cay for some snorkeling in the Bahamas. Or keep
going all the way to visit many cays all the way up to Millers.
If you don't have a boat there is a couple of small cays at
the end of the beach on Indian Hole Point that you can snorkel
right off the beach and you don't need a boat to get to them.
Snorkeling
sites on Long Island, Bahamas.
Columbus Harbour - This where Columbus landed.
Coral
Gardens - Great to view turtles, caves and corals.
Eagle Ray Reef - Groupers and coral formations.
Flamingo Tongue Reef - Moray eels, craps and
tons of fish.
Poseidon Point - Swim with the tarpon
Rainbow Reef - Elkhorn corals and sponges.
Rock Pools - smaller fish and crabs live in
these shallow reefs.
Stella Marais Shark Reef - You can see many
different types of sharks here.
Watermelon Beach - a nice easy site.
|
| Swimming: |
Offered
right outside our villa on the calm Caribbean side. If you prefer
the windier Atlantic side, coming from our villa, turn left
right before Harding Supply store and take this road all the
way to the end. |
| Tours: |
Island
tours by Land or by sea boat = We can recommend Land
and Sea Tours, once you have placed your down-payment, simply
e-mail us for a Land
and/or sea Tour operator. |
| Weddings: |
Our
beach goes on for miles, the perfect site for a beautiful
wedding.
Click here for more on weddings
on Long Island.
Expect the following fees:
Marriage License fee: $100.00
Minister only: Weekdays from $150; Weekends from $175;
Rehearsals from $50 per hour.
Photographer only: From $350 per hour (color or black &
white, 36 exposures, negatives & album). Additional time
extra.
Videographer only: From $450 per hour with editing.
Click
here for churches.
|
| Windsurfing: |
Our
beach is perfect for windsurfing in calmer waters. Or take you
board over to the other side of the island to surf on the Atlantic. |
| |
|
|
Rent
our villa
E-mail us
with your reviews and discoveries on Long Island
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