Berry Islands

Introduction

The Berry Islands are a chain of islands and a district of the Bahamas, covering about thirty square miles (78 km2) of the northwestern part of the Out Islands.

The Berry Islands consist of about thirty islands and over one hundred small islands or cays, often referred to as "The Fish Bowl of the Bahamas." They have a population of 807 (2010 census),[1] most of whom are on Great Harbour Cay. The islands were settled in 1836 by Governor William Colebrooke with a group of freed slaves.

Cities

• Great Harbour

Sights and Activities

The main attraction is big game fishing. Some of the fish that can be found there are billfish, tuna, grouper, tiger fish, yellowtail snapper, wahoo, king mackerel, and many more. In May, Great Harbour Cay is packed with visitors and fishing captains such as Habana Joe who go there for the annual fishing tournament. There are also great spots for snorkelling and scuba diving.

Weather

The Berry Islands have a pleasantly warm but humid climate. Compared to Caribbean islands more to the south, there are some differences regarding temperatures, mainly because it is somewhat colder during the wintermonths of November to April. Generally though, temperatures are high, with summer maximum temperatures averaging around 30 °C and minimum temperatures around 24 °C. During the wintermonths temperatures are about 5 °C lower. The rainy season lasts from May to October, with September and October being the wettest months. This is also the time (especially from August to October) when hurricanes are a possibility.

Getting There

Most tourists arrive by cruise ship to the cruise lines' private islands. There are no cruise ship docks so all passengers are taken ashore by tenders. There is a marina and an airstrip located in Bullock Harbour on Great Harbour Island. Chub Cay also includes an airstrip, and is also an entry / exit point for immigration and customs. There are however no commercial carries based on the island, so travel to and from Chub Cay is coordinated specifically for the island.

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