Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ACKLINS ISLAND
POP 435
Separated from Crooked Island by a shallow passage called 'The Going Through,' 45-mile-
long Acklins Island is another totally undeveloped semi-wilderness of an island with some
excellent bonefishing lodges, miles of scrub forest and very little else.
The main settlement is
Spring Point
, midway down the west coast. Public electricity ar-
rived in 1998, although plenty of homes still use a small generator. To bathe, most locals
scoop water from barrels, while their earnings come from fishing and beating the Cascarilla
bark, a vital ingredient for Campari.
SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES
A partially excavated
Lucayan Indian site
along the shore of Pompey Bay, immediately
south of Spring Point, may have been the largest Lucayan settlement in the Bahamas. The
only other site of interest is the remote
Castle Island Lighthouse
(1867) at the southern tip
of the island. A dirt road runs all the way to the poor Salinas Point Settlement, after which
there's just a hiking trail to the end of the island.
The bonefishing is as good as it gets, as the Bight of Acklins has more than 1000 sq miles
of knee-deep water. All hotels can arrange fishing trips.
SLEEPING & EATING
Acklins Island Lodge
FISHING LODGE $$
( 242-344-199;
www.acklinsislandlodge.com
; Mason's Bay; $865 per person all inclus-
ive for two nights; ) Wonderfully situated at the top of a hill with views to both sides
of the island, this charming complex of six fully equipped studios and the excellent Spice
Kitchen restaurant is a great choice.
Gray's Point Bonefish Inn
FISHING LODGE $$
( 242-344-3210;
www.greyspointbonefishinn.com
; Pinefield; r $1500 per person all in-
clusive for two nights; ) This six-room lodge has clean and spacious rooms in a beau-
tiful position with easy access to the water and is aimed squarely at bonefishers.
Nai's Guesthouse
MOTEL $$
( 242-344-3543; 422-3310; r $130; ) Nai's has six rooms in a low-slung white build-
ing opposite Acklins' only gas station. This is a good budget option, as guests can use the
small kitchen.