... oh island in the sun ...
Facts about Cat Island
Size:
about 50 miles long x 4 miles (at widest points),
it is the sixth largest of the more than 700 Bahamian Islands.
Location:
120 miles southeast of Nassau,
around 330 miles off the Florida coast.
Average Temperatures:
Winter: 70 – 80 degrees
Summer: 80 – 90 degrees
Population:
about 2000 people
Climate:
Due to the prevailing tradewinds, coming from the Southeast, the climate is subtropical and mild.
The seawater temperatures range between 75 degrees in February and 83 degrees in August.
This weather provides flying, boating, fishing, snorkeling and diving almost all year round.
Currency:
It is not necessary to exchange money prior to the trip to the Bahamas
since the Bahamian Dollarexchanges at par with the US Dollar.
Nevertheless, it is advisable to carry cash for purchases since credit cards
are mostly not accepted and there is no bank nor ATM on the island.
History of Cat Island
According to early historians and eighteenth century cartographers,
Cat Island was believed to be Columbus’ first landfall, but it might not be the actual one.
Until 1926, Cat Island was known as San Salvador.
Then the name was given to Watling’s Island, about 100 miles south east of Cat Island.
In the 1600’s, the island received a new kind of settlers: pirates and privateers found the secluded,
uncharted bays and coves ideally suited for hiding out. Among them Arthur Catt, the famous British buccaneer,
after whom the island is named and who also lent his name to the main town on the island, Arthur’s Town.
So, everybody who thought Cat Island would be shaped like a cat (in fact, it is rather shaped like a boot)
or is home to numerous cats, knows the whole story now.
During the 1700’s, a prosperous Loyalist colony of the Out Islands established several cotton plantations
and helped the fertile island to gain wealth.
Characteristics
Many other of the Bahamian islands are also known for their serenity and tranquility,
but they do not offer such breathtaking picture-postcard pink sand beaches,
most of us have only seen in movies so far.
The coasts of Cat Island are filled with reefs, wrecks and really interesting fish
(Barracuda, Parrotfish, Squirrelfish, Conch and Lobster) and turtles. The diving and snorkeling is spectacular
and endows an unforgettable experience for visitors who want to escape the hectic and pressure of everyday life.
The amazing and spectacular beaches, caves, ruins and coral reefs are unspoiled by modernization,
and offer a relaxed, serene and peaceful get-a-way to stressed travelers.
Please klick on the map to get a more detailed look.
and here you can find a map of the Bahamas
The Hermitage on Mount Alvernia
Greenwood Beach Resort
Port Howe - Cat Island - Bahamas
Tel & Fax : + 1 - 242 - 342 - 3053
