Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bahamasair flies from Nassau to Matthew Town, normally stopping at Mayaguana on the
way there or back (one way $110, Monday, Wednesday and Friday).
The
United Star
(one way $70, 24 hours) sails from Nassau weekly to Inagua and May-
anagua. Call the
Dockmaster's office
(
242-393-1064) on Potter's Cay in Nassau for
exact schedules.
Matthew Town Harbour
( 242-339-1427) has slips and fuel, and you can enter the
country at
Immigration
( 242-339-1234; Gregory St). There is also a US Coast Guard
looking out for Cuban and Haitian refugees.
For car rentals call
Laverne Ingraham
(
242-339-1677/1515).
NORTH OF MATTHEW TOWN
about 4 miles past matthew town, the dirt road passes between the southernmost part of the
morton salt works' salt pans. the road finishes at
Farquharson Beach
, a protected bay and
a prime snorkeling and bonefishing spot.
The
Morton Salt Works
are the second-largest solar saline plant in the hemisphere;
comprising 34,000 acres of reservoirs and salt pans surrounding a cleaning, storage, and
bulk-freight loading facility.
BAHAMAS NATIONAL TRUST PARK
The extraordinary salt-scorched landscape of this 287-sq-mile national park is truly haunt-
ing, and a visit here is
the
reason to come to Great Inagua. Home to the world's largest
breeding colony of West Indian flamingos as well as roseate spoonbills, five types of egret,
ospreys, pelicans, avocets, cormorants, tricolored Louisiana herons, burrowing owls, Ba-
hamian pintails, endemic Bahamian woodstar hummingbirds, American kestrels and en-
dangered Bahama parrots; the park has the most diverse birdlife in the Bahamas.
You can only enter the park with the warden
Henry Nixon
( 242-225-0878,
242-464-7618; VHF Channel 16) on a tour ($50 for up to four adults, including vehicle and
tip). It's best to call several days in advance to arrange the visit as Mr Nixon is often busy.
Hawksbill turtles also come ashore to nest and freshwater turtles inhabit ponds on these
isles.
Union Creek Reserve
lies at the park's northwest corner and encompasses tidal
creeks and beach where sea turtles feed and come ashore to nest. The sanctuary is the only
natural feeding ground in the Caribbean region and mid-Americas where sea turtles are not
hunted or exploited in any way.
The plain
Camp Arthur Vernay
( 242-225-0878, 242-464-7618; dm per person $30)
bunkhouse sleeps nine and has two shared showers with cold and lukewarm water and an
outdoor kitchen. Take your own food, but the BNT warden Henry Nixon may cook for you
on request; be prepared to tip extra.
