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The island's main attractions are its seclusion, privacy, beautiful
beaches and surrounding  waters. Whale Cay is part of the Berry Islands,
which enjoy a reputation as a holiday retreat. A good number of the cays like Fraser's Hog
Cay and Bonds Cay, are privately owned. There are
more millionaires here per square mile than most places on earth. Only a few of the
islands have a permanent population, which totals 634.Whale Cay was once the site of an extensive coconut and sisal plantation. In more recent
history, it was the property of a wealthy British woman named Betty Carstairs.
Ms. Carstairs, a true individual who enjoyed some fame as a speedboat
racer in the 1930's, purchased Whale Cay in 1934 and made it into her own private retreat.
She brought over workers from Nassau and created a paradise complete with roadways,
gardens,a Great House, church and lighthouse. No one was allowed on the island except for
Ms. Carstairs, her invited guests, and the 276 Bahamian citizens in her employ.
Following her death, the island lost its inhabitants and the properties
fell into disrepair. Today, Whale Cay is being transformed back into luxurious
splendour to once again become an exclusive retreat for those seeking their own private paradise.
The Bahamas - Investor Friendly
The Bahamas is an archipelago of nearly 700 islands, only a few of which
have a significant population, stretching in an arc for 250 miles off the tip of Southern
Florida.
There is complete political stability with a democratically elected
Parliament modelled on British lines, which has been in existence for more than 250 years.
The laws are based on the Common Law of England, administered by an independent judiciary.
The Bahamas is a member nation of the British Commonwealth of Nations.
Real Estate
It has never been easier for non-Bahamians to own
property in The Bahamas and for property owners to become Bahaman residents. The 1993
International Persons Landholding Act allows foreigners seeking second homes to buy a
house or vacant land of five acres or less without a permit. Owners can then purchase a
home owner residence card, or if the property is worth $250,000 or more, apply for
Permanent Residency status.
The ultimate Bahamas real estate is a private tropical
island. As many as 200 of the 700-or-so Bahamian islands are privately owned, and many
more are available at competitive prices. With low property taxes ownership is becoming
increasingly popular.
Many advantages
- Investor-friendly Bahamas government committed to free enterprise
- Bahamian dollar on par with US dollar
- Premier trans-shipment hub in entire western hemisphere
- International airport with 11,000 ft runway capable of handling world's
largest aircraft
- Excellent infrastructure, prestigious legal and accounting firms,
superior schools
- Home owner's residence card renewable annually; permanent residence for
non-Bahamians investing $250,000 or more
- Ample direct air service to Nassau and Florida with global connections
(direct service with largest int'l cities to come)
- Government concessions for industry, resorts and agriculture (in addition
to Hawksbill Creek Agreement) and int'l trade agreements
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AIR SERVICE
Flight is the primary mode of travel for the majority of visitors to the
islands.
Don't miss the spectacular views during your approach and departure to
and from The Bahamas.
[ CLICK HERE FOR
FLIGHT INFORMATION ]
From Cruising World, September 1997Sailing South to the Bahamas
- "Some island in our ocean..." This is how one poetic local
described his wondrous island nation -- the Bahamas -- where the water is clear, the
livin' is easy, and the cruising is beyond belief.
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By Tom Neale.
. . . Southwest of the Abacos, another huge area of small islands and
shallow banks rise from the wall of a swift and deep ocean. These are the Berry Islands, or
"Der Berries" to many Bahamians. Rimmed from north to south by cays such as
Great Stirrup, Great Harbor, Whale Cay, and Chub Cay, they are cruised less than the Abacos due to their shallow depths
and often rolly anchorages; however, to many, this isolation makes them more attractive.
A few marinas make good bases for exploration. One of the more notable
is Chub Cay Marina, completely protected within
an enclosed basin. This private island has a beautiful beach, good snorkeling spots, makes
its own reverse osmosis water, has a dependable power plant, a great restaurant... and it
welcomes cruisers. It can also be a critical safe harbor while waiting for weather when
heading stateside or when crossing the sometimes very rough Tongue of the Ocean to Nassau. |
Nassau Harbor, 35 miles to the
southeast, lies between Paradise Island, filled with
luxury hotels  and casinos, and the large island of New Providence. Nassau is the
capital of the Bahamas and over half the nation's population lives on the island.
Buildings and customs direct from the days of the British Colonial Empire blend with
modern sights and sounds.
Tom Neale is a Cruising World contributing
editor.
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Copyright © 1997 by Cruising World Publications.
All rights reserved. |
