Some excerpts from the website of The Beach Houses on Guana Cay that might be useful
Rated by Caribbean Travel and Life Magazine as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Guana Cay remains a little off the beaten track. Stuck in the middle of the Family Islands, Guana Cay is approximately seven miles long with a magnificent pink and white powder sand beach. Keep your eyes open because you might just see a pod of dolphins swim right in front of the house! The wild life on Great Guana Cay is limited to birds, curly tail lizards, hermit crabs, and sand nippers. Guana Cay is also home to about 125 locals and second homeowners. Snorkeling, diving, fishing, shelling, exploring the islands, swimming, surfing, or simply relaxing; You can do it all or nothing at all on Guana Cay! The house is perfectly located on the ocean with a private deck and stairs to the beach yet only a five minute walk to the settlement. In the settlement, you can stop by Milo's cart to pick up a fresh mango, papaya or fresh lobster. Stop at Seashore Gifts for homemade ice cream, or just sit under the fig tree and talk with locals. There is great snorkeling right in front of the beach house, about 125 feet from shore. Another spectacular spot is a 15 minute walk down the beach to High Rocks. Here you'll find great shallow water snorkeling with good size Elk Horn and Brain coral. You could also take a half or full day
trip with the local dive
shop, Dive Guana - diveguana.com. Troy and Maria rent island
bikes, snorkel and dive gear too. There are several
restaurants on the island for dining or
cocktails. The most famous and closest is Nipper's Beach
Bar and
Grill, a family run beach
grill with two
pools and an awesome view overlooking the ocean beach. The food is great and the Sunday pig roast is not to be missed. Shoes are definitely optional here. At night, a mix of locals and island guests can lead to a good time, yet beware of the nipper, a potent rum concoction! The newest
restaurant of Guana Cay, The Bluewater
Grill is operated by the Dolphin Beach Resort. This casual yet elegant
restaurant overlooks Fisher's Bay, one of the best places on the island to view sunset! The food is exceptional and is also a favorite among locals. Last but definitely not least, is The Hibiscus
Restaurant at Guana Seaside Village located at the very north end of the road. Some of our favorite
lunches are the cracked conch and
grilled cheese with bacon and tomato. Guana Seaside Village has a
pool and awesome sunsets.
Golf Carts are the most common form of transportation on the island. Contact Donna Sands at 242- 365-5195 for rental information and prices. A cart is not necessary when staying at the beach house as most everything is walking distance but fun for exploring the island. The Guana Harbor Grocery and Fig Tree Liquor are usually open from 8am to about 5pm Monday to Saturday. The grocery store is small but has all your basics. The liquor store is not known for its wine selection but offers a nice selection.
Frequently Asked Questions. How often do ferries run? Albury's Ferry Service has regularly scheduled
trips from Marsh Harbour to Man-O-War Cay, Hope Town, Great Guana and Scotland Cays. Do I need a passport to enter the country? US visitors staying for eight months or less need a return
ticket plus a passport (passports expired up to five years may also be used), or a certified birth certificate with an official photo identification; naturalized citizens require naturalization papers and photo identification; permanent residents (green card holders) require their green card and a valid passport from their place of birth. Canadian visitors not staying more than three weeks need the same identification as those from the US All others need a valid passport. Some visitors may also require a visa. Can I use American dollars? The legal tender is the Bahamian dollar (B$1), which is equivalent in value to the US dollar. Both US and Bahamian dollars are accepted interchangeably throughout the islands. What's the weather like during ? The weather is typically moderate -- warmer than Florida in the winter and cooler in the summer. For more information, We want to get married in the Bahamas -- what do we need to do? You need to arrive in the Bahamas at least
24 hours prior to the ceremony. Bring birth certificates and photo IDs, and if you have been divorced also bring your final divorce decree (original or certified with raised seal). U.S. residents only are required to make a sworn declaration either at the U.S. Embassy in Nassau/Paradise Island (a $50 fee) or at the
office of a Bahamian Notary Public (a $15 fee) if they have never been married. Other nationals (both
parties) are required to bring sworn affidavits in English stating that the
parties concerned were never married. No blood tests required. For more information, call 1-888-NUPTUAL, or contact the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism's People-to-People/
Weddings Department at 242-356-0435-8 or call the Registrar General's
office at 242-322-3316. How do I get to Guana Cay? Getting here is easy! Fly into Marsh harbor from Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Nassau, Orlando, or West Palm Beach on one of several commercial airlines, including American Eagle, Continental, and US Air. When you arrive into Marsh harbor take a 10 minute
taxi ride to the Guana Cay ferry dock located at the Conch Inn. Then its just a 35 minute ferry ride over to Guana Cay where our Caretaker will meet and greet you on the dock. Pack light. Guana Cay is a relaxed place where shoes are completely optional! OK, maybe a pair of flip flops and sneakers for exploring. Other things you may want to bring sun block, a hat, CDs, a light sweater or jacket in the winter months. Please bring beach towels and anything else you might want to bring to the beach. Other than that, each house is well equipped with linens and
bath towels. Do you have any questions we haven't answered? Please send them to
This
two bedroom, one
bath home was completed in spring of 1999. Designed on a
bar napkin, the house boosts an island style copula, central air and ceiling fans throughout, a sixteen foot sliding glass door overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the best view of Guana Cays' famous five mile beach. The copula is designed to let the warm air out and cool breeze in. The beach house has handmade cabinets and beds, common in island construction. The queen size beds in the
bedrooms are true Captain's style, built high just under the window sill to allow for fresh breezes and sounds of the ocean. The water in the house is collected rain water and is stored in an 11,000 gallon cistern. There are books,
games, and a
CD player for your enjoyment. There are linens and plenty of
bath towels too. The
kitchen is equipped with a full size range and
refrigerator, large microwave,
coffee maker,
coffee grinder, blender, and all the pots and pans necessary to prepare truly memorable meals. There is also a BBQ on the deck, perfect for
grilling fresh lobster and fish! Rates: 1-2 people $1500/week 3-4 people $1700/week
The Shell house is a brand new home completed June 2004. It features an open concept floor plan with a supremely equipped
kitchen.
Three bedrooms including a master
suite with
private bathroom and views of the ocean from the king size bed. A circular staircase leads to the loft with comfy sofas,
Satellite TV and a 360 degree view of the Atlantic ocean and sea of Abaco. Everyone will have a place to lie in the sun on the 600+ sq ft of Oceanside deck with private stairs to the famous 3-mile sand beach. Cold Central AC and ceiling fans throughout.
TV, CD DVD, Sony Playstation, and board
games. High speed
internet available (if you must!). Washer/Dryer and Dishwasher available for extended stays beach chairs and beach towels. Large gas
grill (for easy
grilling of fresh fish or lobster!) tastefully decorated and island art throughout provisioning and maid services available upon request. Rates: 1-6 people $3000/week
Two Beautiful Beach Front Homes located on a dune 35' above the Technicolor ocean. If you are looking for a Beach House, you will not be disappointed. This is the real thing! Guana Cay...swim, surf, beachcomb or do nothing at all; it's a way of life on this sparkling island in the Stream. Just off Great Abaco in the Family Islands of the Bahamas, Guana Cay is surrounded by beautiful coral formations that can be explored while wading or snorkeling off its secluded pink and white sand beaches. Abaco is home to the third largest barrier reef in the world and offers a playground for both water and beach lovers. The houses are located on one of the most beautiful powder sand beaches in the Bahamas. Relax in a comfortable private home while enjoying all the Out islands of the Bahamas has to offer. Coordinate with our on island care taker for
golf cart rentals, boat rentals, diving
trips, fishing
trips, and lots of local knowledge to ensure a truly memorable vacation. For more information or reservations, please call or email: Paul C. Alberte Erin Noyes (414) 433-4352
paul@guanabeachhouse.com for a LivePicture Panorama taken from our porch! Current temperature on Guana Cay:
Albury's Ferry
telephone: 242-365-6010 Fares: One Way: $10.00 (Child - $5.00) Round
Trip: $15.00 (Same Day) (Child - $8.00). Marsh Harbour / Guana Scotland Cay* (40 minutes). Leaving Marsh Harbour for Guana Scotland Cay* from the Conch Inn 10:30AM - 1:15PM - 3:30PM - 5:45PM* Daily 6:45 AM Except Weekends and Holidays from Union Jack Only. Leaving Guana Scotland Cay* for Marsh Harbour Conch Inn 8:00AM - 11:30AM - 2:30PM - 4:45PM Daily. *Scotland Cay Service requires prior notification to Ferry
Office (242) 365-6010. Marsh Harbour / Man-O-War (30 minutes). Leaving Marsh Harbour for Man-O-War from Albury Ferry Dock. 10:30AM, 4:00PM, 5:45PM Daily 2:15PM, 2:30 PM Daily Except Sunday. Leaving Man-O-War for Marsh Harbour Albury Ferry Dock 8:00AM,1:30PM Daily 11:30AM, 3:15 PM Daily Except Sunday. Marsh Harbour / Hope Town (30 minutes). Leaving Marsh Harbour for Hope Town from Albury Ferry Dock 9:00 AM - 10:30AM - 12:15PM - 2:00PM - 4:00PM - 5:45PM Daily 7:15AM Except Sundays and Holidays. Leaving Hope Town for Albury Ferry Dock 8:00AM - 9:45AM - 11:30AM - 1:30PM - 3:00PM - 4:00PM Daily 5:00PM Daily Except Sundays and Holidays