The Perfect Bahamas Vacation Spot is Fernandez Bay Village

Cat Island, the sixth largest island of The Bahamas is located about 300 miles away from Miami, and 120 miles SE from Nassau covers an area of 48 miles long and 4 miles wide. With a population of only 1,678 people, there are literally miles and miles of virtually undisturbed beaches, where swimming and relaxing can be done in near complete privacy.

One of the outer islands of the Bahamas, Cat Island is a quiet Bahamas vacation destination for those who are actually looking to relax. Among its varied pleasures and activities, a little exploration wish turn up a historical oddity or two that add to the individual character of the place. Beautiful beaches in natural settings welcome the nature lover and peace seeker alike.

Learn about the history of Cat Island on this Bahamas vacation.

Like the others islands in Bahamas, Cat Island has its own history. It is considered to be the first Loyalists settlement built in 1783. Locals lived from plantations, some of their ruins remained even in our times. It is believed that Cat Island was discovered by Columbus and was initially named San Salvador. Thereafter the name was changed by Parliament to Cat Island, after Arthur Catt a buccaneer who buried treasure there.

One of the most visited settlements on Cat Island is near Port Howe; named after Admiral James Howe, the first English commander during the American Revolution. Make a point to visit the Deveaux House plantation and outbuildings. The village was built by Colonel Deveaux who recaptured Nassau from Spain in 1783. There are so many activities you can take part in on this Bahamas Vacation that it is possible to not have enough time for all.

Cat Island, Bahamas is unspoiled by modernization on a whole and is covered with churches offering some very interesting architecture. Two of the historical churches on the Island were designed by Monsignor John Hawkes and are said to be his finest works. One of his churches called “The Hermitage” is located on Mount Alvernia the highest point in all the Bahamas Islands. Bahamas vacation sightseers must not miss the Monastery atop the cliff named Comer Hill at about 206 feet above sea level. The purpose of the church was to become a sanctuary for meditation. Being an architect Hawkes built several other churches throughout the Bahamas Islands: 5 on Long Island and took part in the design of St. Augustines College in New Providence. After his death, Jerome was buried on Mt. Alvernia and by visiting his tomb you can see from these high cliffs, a marvelous view consisting of forested hills and 60 miles of deserted white-and-pink-sand beaches.

The Bahamas Island culture of Cat Island is truly unique.

Nature and what "the Lord will provide" are the philosophy that people here live by. Cat Islanders are renowned for their ingenuity at using the materials at hand to make whatever they need. For example, musicians combine a piece of wood, some fishing line and a worn tin tub to create the bass instrument in a "rake 'n' scrape" band at a local nightclub. Accompanied by a Conch shell (horn), an old comb covered with paper (harmonica), an old carpenter's saw scraped with a piece of metal, and topped off by a drum that really smokes (goat skins stretched over wood and heated over a flame), Cat Island bands produce a unique sound.

Much of The Bahamas' indigenous music, folklore and myth can be traced to Cat Island. Here, "I'll be with you in spirit" takes on a whole new meaning. Traditionally, when the last of a generation dies, his or her house is left for the spirit to live in. Remaining relatives gather stones from the site and form a new dwelling. Elsewhere, in the north of the island, residents place spindles atop houses to prevent harm from befalling them--a kind of lightning rod for evil spirits.

Cat Island, Bahamas is also very well known in the Bahamas for the Obeah or Obi culture that is some kind of a middle form of white witchcraft or voodoo. Nowadays locals living derive especially from farming, the traditional slash-and-burn farming method. Cascarilla bark is gathered and shipped to Italy, where it is a main ingredient in medicines, scents, and the Italian aperitif called Campari.

Cat Island a Bahamas vacation experience you won't forget.

This Bahamas vacation explore Cat Island and find yourself driven right into the past between those cotton plantations and wrecks, you can rest on the beach, go snorkel or scuba diving through the coral reefs or just stay in a hammock drinking a tropical cocktails or tasting some of the local cuisine.

Despite other islands in Bahamas, Cat Island has no casinos or golf courses, not even a bank. So as a form of payment shops owners will take cash, checks and credit cards. Local cuisine on this Bahamas vacation might be of real interest to visitors because it is influenced by many cultures from South America, Britain, Africa and Spain. Delicious dishes made by seafood and tomato sauce, native fruits are combined with rum and served in cocktails or desserts, an last but not least the Bahamian Kalik-Beer, Rum-Mix drinks, Bahama Mama and Goombay Smash.

Take in the many sites of Cat Island on your next Bahamas vacation. Cat Island is the home of Sidney Poitier, the internationally acclaimed Bahamian actor who spent his boyhood days at Arthur's Town, one of the many settlements on the island. Sidney Poitier was born in Miami as his parents had visited there at the time of his birth. He had very little formal education and moved to Miami at the age of 15 to live with his brother. His poor treatment as a black man in the racial United States was a shock after coming from a majority black country and led him to strive to find and make opportunities for other blacks.

Take in the awe-inspiring Bahamas beaches of Cat Island.

On this Bahamas vacation visit Cat Island's breathtaking beaches, caves, ruins, ancient campsites, coral reefs and much more, which remains, unspoiled by modernization. This is a haven to explore. The seas around Cat Island are abound with fish, crawfish (Bahamian Lobster), sea turtles, and reefs that offer so much for the visitor to experience. Cat Island is definitely the island of choice for the traveler who wants a peaceful, quiet get-a-way on their next Bahamas vacation.

This Bahamas vacation offers a diverse variety of eco-tourism activities. Cat Island, Bahamas is part of a marine territory of about 100,000 square miles and encompasses almost 5% of the world’s coral reefs. Which is home to a huge population of whales and dolphins. In addition to the diverse marine life, Cat Island is also rich in terrestrial flora and fauna, which makes it a perfect place for eco-tourism.

Cat Island, Bahamas is also famous for fishing, and angling enthusiasts can catch deep-sea fish like: giant tuna, enormous white and blue marlin, barracuda, amberjack, bonefish, and tarpon. Fernandez Bay Village offers excellent packages for your next Bahamas vacation.

So, whether you dive, snorkel, fish, or you are just an explorer passing through The Bahamas, you shouldn't miss a day or two in the pleasant and familiar style of Cat Island. What are you waiting for? Start your next Bahamas vacation getaway right now. We can’t wait to welcome you to Fernandez Bay Village in Cat Island, Bahamas. Call 1 (800) 940-1905 to make your reservation today.