The problem with travel to the Bahamas, it turns out, is not getting there but rather traveling between islands. Almost all the flights connect through Nassau, making the trip five hours—or longer than it actually takes you to get there in the first place if coming from, say, Tennessee—excessive. Which is why discovering Deep Water Cay was a game-changer.
That was what we ran into when planning our most recent Caribbean jaunt. Did we want to go to Eleuthera? Or maybe back to Exuma? I did so enjoy my trip there before. How about Harbour Island? I’ve always wanted to go there. Things were figured out pretty quickly for us, however, when I did a few hotel searches for pricing and found out that all of the resorts on these islands were closed for the month of October—the same time we’d already be down there for Angie’s wedding—for hurricane season and maintenance. Blimey! It was looking as if we wouldn’t actually be able to tack on a second island to this trip, and much of Abaco was also shuttered during the time.
And then a press release landed in my inbox from Deep Water Cay, and an idea began to percolate. True, I’m no fisherman, but I could be—at least, I think I could? This fishing resort off of Grand Bahama Island is not only a small, private island resort but also relatively easy to reach in the grand scheme of things.
And so I got onto my credit card’s booking engine and started testing out flight options. Lo and behold, we could fly in there and out of Marsh Harbour for a total of $502 (or 22,000 credit card points). And so that became the plan, but flying between the two islands was what became the biggest problem.
Not the actual plane we took, but the same size of it!
In the end, the resort told us about a private charter, Flamingo Air—no, not that Flamingo Air; this one—and for $99 apiece, our problems could be solved. I was a little sketched out by the thought, as a) the plane is tiny and I am more than mildly claustrophobic and b) I couldn’t find much verification of the airline’s existence online. But in the end, they got us to our destination and the 20-minute flight was easy and painless and far quicker (not to mention cheaper) than flying Bahamas Air and connecting through Nassau.
But back to Deep Water Cay. Aka pure paradise. Aka the peaceful retreat we craved after our most stressful year to date.
The ferry to Deep Water Cay was just a five-minute ride across a narrow channel, and once we were on the other side, we were whisked away to the Lodge, where our dinner—and dining companions—were waiting. Deep Water Cay serves most meals family-style, and so we gathered around a long table with three general managers and a trio of couples from Alabama. It was a tasty welcome, that’s for sure.
After that, a golf cart was waiting to take us back to our home for the next four nights, the Drake House, and while it was excessively large for just the two of us, the two bedrooms on opposite sides of the standalone unit came in handy.
Have I mentioned SVV snores like a bear? We often wind up in separate rooms or else I would never sleep!
Our first full day was meant to be spent diving, but some forceful winds quickly canceled that plan, and instead we spent the day getting our bearings on the small 2.5-mile-long spit of land and, more importantly, lounging by the pool.
And Deep Water Cay has kayaks and standup paddleboards for borrow, so when we tired of relaxing, we hit the ocean for a little bit of cardio fun.
Remember how I mentioned it was windy? Right—about that. The current and the wind conditions combined meant our paddle out to the lagoon was an easy one, but once we got there, we drifted aimlessly out to sea.
You know me: A SUP is really just a vehicle for fooling around.
I tried some easy yoga poses but was clipping along with the current and soon gave up any attempts at an actual workout beyond fighting Mother Nature. Guess it just wasn’t meant to be—this time.
The paddle back, on the other hand, turned out to be downright impossible. After half an hour of paddling five feet forward, only to be pushed six feet back, we finally made it close enough to the dock, gave up, and pulled our kayak and board the rest of the way.
Let’s just say, my core was feeling this ab workout for days!
Ugh. UGH. SO envious, the water looks amazing!!!! Why’s there even a pool!?!?!? I guess you have to get the sand out of your swimming costume somehow..
Plan yourself a tropical escape, girl, STAT!
Must say, super jealous right now. That island looks spectacular, especially as I look out on dreary, cold, and rainy London. The Bahamas look pretty nice right about now!
All the more excuse to hole up in a pub, right? I mean, London does have that part figured out at least 😉
Gorgeous place and pics!!! Lucas snores too, so we always sleep in separate rooms. So sad, but at least we both wake up restful as possible with a baby.
And it’s doubly hard then when you travel and don’t have the luxury of sleeping in separate rooms, ha!
You were so brave to get on that plane! I mean, the destination ended up being worth it, but that plane looked tiny! If I wouldn’t have been able to find info online I think I would’ve had some serious serious doubts… I’m happy it all worked out though and you’re an experience richer 🙂
I seriously fretted about this flight for a good three months before we went! In the end, it wound up being totally fine but I think the fear of having a panic attack is often more anxiety-inducing than actually having one!
Bahamas never fail to keep me at awe. It really is a great place to visit and make adventures. Best for honeymoon goers as well.
So many islands, so much to see, so much underwater turf to explore!
Only you could make an attempt at paddle boarding look so breezy…. “Oh that? I’m just doing a hand stand.” Love it! x
Hahaha, I do love me a challenge! 😉
Only you could make an attempt at paddle boarding look so breezy…. “Oh that? I’m just doing a hand stand.” Love it! x
Ha! You crack me up. I actually find doing easier poses like tree and bridge MUCH harder on a paddleboard than a headstand!
You have posted a very interesting article! I really enjoyed reading it! Keep up the great work! Thanks!
Thanks for stopping by!
I haven’t received any of your posts for a while Luna so I’ve subscribed again lol! However, your new bloglook looks marvellous. Very magazine-like & glossy. I love the yellow banner too as it’s so warm. Even though we have never met, I imagine, it’s just like you lol! Plus I like the fact that even though your blog is about you, your husband is featured as being quite important to your life and thus, your writing, which you can see with the paired feet at the bottom of the page. Adorable. 🙂
The island looks so peaceful and the waters so clear and blue-green but that plane would have made me slightly nervous. I love flying but I once had a very choppy flight with a tiny plane in Egypt so…..but for 20 minutes and promise of a large glass of something at the end of it, might have proved sufficient lol!
Thank you so much, sweet girl! Yes, there have been a lot of changes lately, and it’s very likely that when we moved the newsletter over to MailChimp, subscribers were lost in the mix.
THANK YOU for resubscribing and all your sweet words! And I find Xanax and bourbon (or a combination of the two, lol) helps on those small planes 😉
Stunning photos , really crystal clear waters.
Spectacular place to meet .
It brings peace to the soul.
Congratulations for beautiful photos
Agreed~! I hope I get the chance to go back there someday. And thank you =)
Just seeing that water makes me feel more peaceful!
What a dream!
happy honeymoon really this blog images and location are very nice..
Wow..
This is called paradise !
I love it !