Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
At the shores of
Columbus Harbour
, a shallow bay lined with mangroves, you can
cross the narrow tidal creek on a (semi-collapsed, but still passable) footbridge to reach
Newton Cay
, a small island with a beach on the Atlantic shore. There are caves around
the headland to the north.
Stella Maris Resort Club & Marina (right ) offers two-tank dives (without/with gear, $90/
120) and resort courses (from $130). The resort also offers waterskiing for $50 and rents
boats ($350 for a 27-footer).
Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort (below ) offers diving (two-tank dives $90) and snorkel-
ing ($45), and rents water sport, scuba and snorkeling equipment. They also offer bone-
fishing (half-/full-day $450/500), reef fishing (half-/full-day $500/600), as well as deep-sea
fishing (full-day $600) for up to four people.
Guided bonefishing is offered by
Bonafide Bonefishing
( 242-338-2035,
242-357-1417;
www.bonafidebonefishing.com
;
Queen's Hwy, Burnt Ground) and its own-
er 'Docky' Smith is one of the best local guides on the island. Bonefishing (half-/full-day
$300/350) and reef-fishing (full-day $550) are both offered.
Sleeping & Eating
Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort
RESORT $$$
( 242-338-5273;
www.capesantamaria.com
;
Cape Santa Maria; r $325, villa $795;
) This luxurious resort on one of the Bahamas' best beaches manages to retain an
intimate and relaxed feel despite its relatively large size. With 20 plush bungalows right on
the beach and a long row of even smarter luxury villas further down, Long Island's largest
resort attracts couples and families looking for an up-market getaway. A wooden walkway
leads to an airy and handsome two-tier restaurant and bar in gingerbread plantation style
and offering vast views. Activities available include catamarans, sailboats, sailboards, vol-
leyball, diving, and snorkeling.
Stella Maris Resort Club & Marina
RESORT $$
( 242-338-2051, 800-426-0466;
www.stellamarisresort.com
; Stella Maris; s/d $160/
190, cottage $235-675; ) The ocean views are stunning from this comfortable
and well-equipped old plantation, now a resort, dotted with modern and breezy hillside
rooms, suites and cottages all of which enjoy views of the ocean. The cottages, which run
from one bedroom to four with a private pool, are better than the rooms, which are fine but
a little worn and a little standard. With no TVs or phones in the rooms, this is a place for
escape. Other features include a fantastic saltwater pool, a great walk way along the beach
