The Berry Islands are a chain of approximately 30 cays and more than 100 smaller islets located on the northeastern edge of the Great Bahama Bank between New Providence, Andros, and Grand Bahama in The Bahamas. Although the total land area is relatively small, the island group is internationally recognized for world-class sport fishing, boating, scuba diving, and secluded beaches. The surrounding waters are bordered by the deep Tongue of the Ocean, creating diverse marine habitats that attract anglers, divers, snorkelers, and recreational boaters from around the world.
Great Harbour Cay serves as the principal population and transportation center, offering an airport, marina, accommodations, restaurants, and one of the Out Islands' longest white-sand beaches. To the south, Chub Cay has developed into a premier destination for luxury boating, offshore fishing, and diving, with an international airport, full-service marina, and easy access to renowned dive sites such as Chub Cay Wall, The Pocket, The Canyons, and Eel Garden. The northern islands include Great Stirrup Cay, home to a historic lighthouse and Norwegian Cruise Line's private island destination, while numerous smaller cays provide quiet anchorages, beaches, and wildlife habitats.
The Berry Islands appeal to travelers seeking a quieter alternative to larger Bahamian destinations. Visitors can enjoy island-hopping, bonefishing, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, diving, kayaking, paddleboarding, beachcombing, birdwatching, and marine wildlife encounters. Protected areas such as the Southern Berry Islands Marine Reserve help conserve coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, and important fish nursery habitats, reinforcing the region's reputation for sustainable marine tourism.
Whether arriving by aircraft, yacht, or cruise ship, the Berry Islands provide an authentic Out Islands experience defined by uncrowded beaches, exceptional marine environments, and easy access to some of The Bahamas' finest boating and fishing grounds.
KEY FACTS
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Destination Name: Berry Islands
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Category: Islands & Destinations
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Destination Type: Island Group / Out Islands Destination
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Location: Northwestern Bahamas, between New Providence, Andros, and Grand Bahama
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Island Group: Bahamian Out Islands
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Known For: Sport fishing, boating, scuba diving, secluded beaches, island-hopping
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Best For: Families, anglers, boaters, divers, snorkelers, photographers, couples, nature lovers
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Number of Main Cays: Approximately 30 major cays with more than 100 smaller islets
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Main Settlements: Great Harbour Cay (Bullock's Harbour), Chub Cay
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Major Airports: Great Harbour Cay Airport (GHC), Chub Cay International Airport (CCZ)
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Popular Attractions: Great Harbour Cay Beach (Sugar Beach), Hoffman's Cay Blue Hole, Chub Cay Wall, Great Stirrup Cay Lighthouse, Southern Berry Islands Marine Reserve
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Transportation Access: Domestic flights, charter aircraft, private yachts, cruise ships (selected islands)
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Ferry Access: Limited; most visitors arrive by air or private vessel
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Ideal Length of Stay: 3–7 days
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Best Time to Visit: November–May
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Family Friendly: Yes
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
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Chain of approximately 30 cays surrounded by the Great Bahama Bank.
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Internationally recognized destination for offshore sport fishing and bonefishing.
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Excellent scuba diving along Chub Cay Wall, The Pocket, The Canyons, and Eel Garden.
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Long stretches of uncrowded white-sand beaches, including Great Harbour Cay Beach.
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Full-service marinas supporting island-hopping and yachting.
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Historic Great Stirrup Cay Lighthouse overlooking the Northwest Providence Channel.
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Protected coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves within the Southern Berry Islands Marine Reserve.
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Hoffman's Cay Blue Hole offers one of the Bahamas' most remarkable inland blue holes.
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Easy access from Nassau and South Florida by air and private boat.
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Ideal destination for boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and wildlife photography.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Best Time to Visit
November through May generally offers the most comfortable weather, calmer seas, and excellent conditions for boating, fishing, and diving.
Suggested Visit Duration
Three to seven days allows enough time to explore multiple islands, beaches, dive sites, and marine attractions.
Accessibility
The Berry Islands are accessible by scheduled domestic flights, charter aircraft, private yachts, and cruise ships visiting selected private islands.
Transportation Options
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Domestic flights from Nassau
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Charter flights from South Florida
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Private aircraft
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Private yachts
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Charter boats
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Cruise ships (Great Stirrup Cay)
Airport Access
Road Conditions
Road networks are limited and primarily serve Great Harbour Cay and Chub Cay.
Accommodation Availability
Hotels, boutique resorts, vacation rentals, fishing lodges, marinas, and private homes are available, with the largest concentration on Great Harbour Cay and Chub Cay.
Dining Availability
Restaurants are primarily located on Great Harbour Cay, Chub Cay, and selected resorts.
Family Suitability
Excellent for families seeking beaches, boating, fishing, and outdoor recreation.
Swimming Suitability
Excellent on protected beaches and shallow coastal areas.
Snorkeling Suitability
Excellent around patch reefs and shallow coral formations.
Diving Opportunities
Outstanding, particularly along the Tongue of the Ocean and Chub Cay reef systems.
Boating Opportunities
Among the best in The Bahamas, with numerous anchorages, marinas, and cruising routes.
Fishing Opportunities
Internationally renowned for offshore sport fishing, reef fishing, and bonefishing.
Photography Opportunities
Outstanding for coastal landscapes, marine life, beaches, lighthouses, and aerial scenery.
Infrastructure Level
Low to moderate, preserving the Out Islands' quiet and natural character.
FAQ
What are the Berry Islands known for?
The Berry Islands are best known for world-class sport fishing, boating, scuba diving, secluded beaches, and island-hopping. The surrounding waters support diverse marine ecosystems because they lie between the Great Bahama Bank and the Tongue of the Ocean.
Where are the Berry Islands located?
The Berry Islands are located in the northwestern Bahamas between New Providence, Andros, and Grand Bahama. They form part of the Bahamian Out Islands and are easily reached from Nassau and South Florida.
How do you get to the Berry Islands?
Visitors can travel by scheduled domestic flights to Great Harbour Cay or Chub Cay, charter flights, private aircraft, yachts, or cruise ships visiting Great Stirrup Cay.
What are the best things to do in the Berry Islands?
Popular activities include offshore fishing, bonefishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, boating, beachcombing, kayaking, paddleboarding, exploring Hoffman's Cay Blue Hole, and visiting Great Harbour Cay Beach.
Are the Berry Islands good for scuba diving?
Yes. The Berry Islands feature renowned dive sites including Chub Cay Wall, The Pocket, The Canyons, and Eel Garden, offering wall dives, coral reefs, swim-throughs, and abundant marine life.
What is the best time to visit the Berry Islands?
The most popular travel season is from November through May, when weather conditions are generally drier and seas are calmer for boating, diving, and fishing.
TRAVELER EXPECTATION SUMMARY
Travelers choose the Berry Islands for their peaceful Out Islands atmosphere, exceptional boating and fishing opportunities, healthy coral reef ecosystems, uncrowded beaches, and authentic Bahamian island experience. The destination is particularly well suited for visitors seeking marine adventures and quieter alternatives to larger resort islands.
LOCAL AND DESTINATION CONTEXT
The Berry Islands are situated between New Providence, Andros, and Grand Bahama on the Great Bahama Bank. The island group includes Great Harbour Cay, Chub Cay, Great Stirrup Cay, Hoffman's Cay, Big Whale Cay, and numerous smaller cays connected by boating routes, protected marine habitats, and recreational fishing grounds, making the archipelago one of the Bahamas' leading destinations for marine tourism.
RELATED DESTINATIONS
Berry Islands, Great Harbour Cay, Chub Cay, Bullock's Harbour, Great Stirrup Cay, Hoffman's Cay Blue Hole, Great Harbour Cay Beach, Chub Cay Wall, The Pocket, The Canyons, Eel Garden, Southern Berry Islands Marine Reserve, Great Bahama Bank, Tongue of the Ocean, Bahamas Out Islands, sport fishing, bonefishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, boating, island hopping, coral reefs, marinas, family travel