Dear to the hearts of sailors, yachtsmen and fishermen, southwest of The Biminis is a cluster of 30 islands and close to 100 cays, known as The Berry Islands.


Reportedly, they were given that name because of the abundance of thatch berry trees to be found there. With a land mass totaling only 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, the largest of them is Great Harbor Cay at 8,300 acres. The Berry Islands lie some 150 miles east of Miami (one hour by a small plane) and 50 miles northeast of Nassau (20 minutes by air). The population is about 730 persons.


The islands' main attraction is their seclusion and privacy and they have a reputation as a holiday retreat. Decked with green 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 sports fishing, second only to The Biminis. It is a big cruising and angling area and record catches have been made of Mackerel, Blue and White Marlin and Sailfish. Bone fish, craw fish and conch are plentiful.


CocoCay, The Berry Islands
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.



Source:The Bahamas Ministry of Education