Berry Islands
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Berry Islands or "The Berries", are a chain of islands and a district of the Bahamas, covering about thirty square miles (78 km²) of the north western part of the Out Islands. The Berry islands consist of about thirty islands and over one hundred small islands or cays. They have a population of only about seven hundred, most of which are on Great Harbor Cay. But during the winter season the islands are packed with out-of-town guests and second home residents.
The Berry Islands were settled in 1836 by Governor Colebrook and a group of freed slaves.
Due to seasonal residents, the Berry islands can say that they have more resident millionaires per unit area than any other place in the world. Most of those residents own one of the many cays of the Berries making them their own personal retreats.
Great Harbor Cay is the most northern and the largest of the Berry Islands. It is eight miles (13 km) long and one and a half miles (2.4 km) wide. The largest port of the Berries is on Great Harbor Cay.
Chub Cay is the second largest island in the chain and is known an "the bill fish capital of the Bahamas."
The Berry islands have become a huge vacation spot for people from all over the world. The largest draw is the big game fishing. Anglers come from all over to fish there. Some of the fish that can be found there are Bill fish, Tuna, Grouper, Tiger fish, Yellowtail Snapper, Wahoo, King mackerel, and many more. In May, Great Harbor Cay is packed with visitors who come there for the annual fishing tournament. There are also great spots for snorkeling and reef diving.
Little Stirrup Cay is owned by Royal Caribbean International, which calls it Coco Cay, and acts as a private island for tropical activities engaged in by visitors on its cruise ships of the Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises labels. Great Stirrup Cay is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and is used for similar purposes.
Districts of the Bahamas | ||
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Acklins | Berry Islands | Bimini | Black Point | Cat Island | Central Abaco | Central Andros | Central Eleuthera | Freeport | Crooked Island | East Grand Bahama | Exuma | Grand Cay | Harbour Island | Hope Town | Inagua | Long Island | Mangrove Cay | Mayaguana | Moore's Island | New Providence | North Abaco | North Andros | North Eleuthera | Ragged Island | Rum Cay | San Salvador | South Abaco | South Andros | South Eleuthera | Spanish Wells | West Grand Bahama |