Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 242-365-4170; Bay St; Mon-Fri) Vert Lowe picked up his genius for intricate mod-
el ship making from his father, a master boat builder. If he's around, you're welcome to
watch him conjuring miniature sailing vessels from redwood, spruce and fir. If you want to
make a purchase, prices begin at over $100. A 26-inch one-master costs about $600. For
two- or three-masted ships up to 5ft long, expect to pay $1200 to $2500.
Loyalist Memorial Sculpture Garden
SCULPTURE GARDEN
(Parliament St) Here, 24 busts of notable Bahamian loyalists and slaves all gaze in dead-
eyed wonder at bronze statues of two girls, one holding a conch and the other a Union Jack.
Historical, but kind of creepy.
Beaches
On the island's northern tip,
Coco Bay
is a sugar-white wedge of sand with calm turquoise
waters protected by a horseshoe-shaped bay. Just half a mile east of town, handsome
Gil-
lam Bay Beach
is heaven for shellers. On the island's west side,
White Sound
is a deep
bay protected by a bluff-faced peninsula. Half an hour north of Green Turtle, uninhabited
Manjack Cay
is a desert island straight out of central casting. If you'd like to visit it but
you don't have your own boat, ask around at the docks about charters.
ACTIVITIES
Diving & Snorkeling
Brendal's Dive Center
DIVING, SNORKELING
( 242-365-4411;
www.brendal.com
;
White Sound) This well-established and highly re-
garded diving outfit offers two-tank dives ($112), night dives ($95), open-water certific-
ation courses ($650) and snorkel trips ($70). Ask about meeting the divers' wild 'pets':
groupers Junkanoo and Calypso, who cuddle up like dogs, and Goombay the grinning
green moray eel. Specialty trips include diving and hand-feeding a family of wild stingrays
($105, including fresh seafood picnic). There's also a snorkel reef trip and wild dolphin
encounter with lunch ($90) or a Great Guana Cay trip to Nipper's Beach Bar ($80). You
can rent all kayaks, bicycles, diving and snorkeling equipment here, including underwater
cameras and video gear.
