Charming resort village in the vacation paradise of Cat Island, Bahamas. Stay in private villas and cottages directly on the beach. Enjoy diving, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, boating, biking or just relax. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Bahamas/fernandezbayvillage/hotel/680/15/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:22:41 EST Family owned and operated for over 20 years, this remote and rustic hideaway has 6 beach front villas and 9 beachfront cottages. Come explore, play, relax, read, renew and refresh yourself. Swim, snorkel, fish or visit local settlements. Take a break from hurried schedules to walk on the beach. Revel in the joy of no stress, no phones, no television, (no shoes?)!? We invite you in for a look at what we have to offer. Remote and Rustic, Cat Island is the place to unwind. Unspoiled white sand beaches, lush vegetation and friendly people abound on this southern Bahamian Island. Laid back and unhurried, Cat stretches for 50 miles, surrounded with white sand beaches, coconut palms and smiling faces. Fernandez Bay Village, established 1980, is well known for it's informal atmosphere and personal service. Your day can unfold anyway you choose. For those who want to do more than lie in a hammock; there's Snorkeling, Swimming, Fishing, Sunning, SCUBA diving, Exploring, Biking, Canoeing, Kayaking, Boating and Picnicking. We're here for you. Fifteen ocean front villas are strung along a cozy mile of sugary beach, nestled among the whispering Casurina pines and blooming hibiscus. Dinners are relaxed candle lit affairs on the beach terrace around a blazing bon fire. Shoes are not part of the dress code. The beachfront tiki-bar runs on the honor system. Guests keep track of their own libations. Fernandez Bay is definitely a place to relax and de-stress, so pack comfortably, casual clothing, plenty of bathing suits, an evening cover up and a sweater during the winter months. The Tropic of Cancer is less than 70 miles south of Cat Island, it enjoys a subtropical climate year round. As one guest succinctly put it, "Visiting Fernandez Bay is like visiting good friends and staying in their guest house." Out Island style! AMENITIES: Fernandez Bay Villas and cottages, Each cottage accommodates two people and is constructed of native stone and tile.All cottages are air conditioned.They feature open patios which overlook the sea, with sliding glass doors, overhead fans and large windows that open to invite cool trade wind breezes and soothing sea sounds. Garden baths and island plants provide a lush and natural atmosphere. The villas are completely equipped for full housekeeping including all utensils and linens and have airconditioning in the master bedroom(except the Hummingbird House).A maid visits daily to clean and keep your villa tidy. All upstairs bedrooms are accessed by a spiral staircase. Seabreeze Cottage: A free-standing, one-story thatch roofed cottage with a 4 poster queen-size bed, garden bath and small refrigerator. Private stone patio with umbrella table and beautiful ocean view. Coral Cottage, Conch Cottage: These include a queen-size bed, garden bath, walk-in closet, A/C and small refrigerator. There are no cooking facilities; no meals are included in the nightly room rate. Coconut Palm Cottage: Constructed of native stone and tile, this room has a queen size bed, spacious garden bathroom, walk in closet with a coffee maker, small sink and refrigerator, overhead fan and private patio. Travelers Palm Cottage: Next to Coconut Palm Cottage, constructed of native stone and tile, this room has a queen size bed, spacious garden bathroom, walk in closet with a coffee maker, small sink and refrigerator, overhead fan and private patio. Royal Palm Cottage Beside Travelers Palm Cottage, constructed of native stone and tile, end cottage has a four poster, queen size bed, spacious garden bathroom, walk in closet with a coffee maker, small sink and refrigerator, overhead fan, A/C and private oversized wrap around patio. Shane's Shack: Sitting on the water's edge, our newest cottage keeps cool with a thatched roof, sliding glass doors and over head fans. Decorated with bamboo this seaside dwelling has a four poster queen size bed, spacious guarden shower, small refigerator, coffee maker and private terrace. What a view! Tamarind Suite: Directly adjacent to the Club house and next to Coconut Palm Cottage, the Tamarind Suite has the same amenities as the Coconut and Travelers Palm Cottages. Fran's Room: A quaint beachfront room wih a large garden shower, walk in closet with mini-fridge and coffee maker. A/C and overhead fans.Semi-private terrace. Directly adjacent to the clubhouse and bar, lush foliage provides a serene spot to relax. Beach House: A free-standing, single-story villa with a queen-size bed in each of the two bedrooms flanking a central living room, kitchen and dining room. Both bedrooms have garden baths. This house offers pleasing privacy for two couples. Hibiscus House, Seagrape House: Two-story duplexes with two upstairs bedrooms each. In the loft is a queen size bed. The master bedroom is furnished with a king size bed and enclosed bath. Each unit also includes kitchen, living room, dining room and garden bath. Hummingbird House: Two-story duplex has over-size bedroom with four-poster bed, enclosed bath, plus a down stairs garden bath, kitchen, dining area and living room. Ideal honeymoon suite. The Point House: A free-standing, single-story villa with two bedrooms, each with double bed. Also one enclosed bath, kitchen, dining area and living room. Air conditioning in the bedrooms. The Starfish Villa: A free-standing, single-story villa. The master bedroom is connected to the main house by a covered terrace. The main house consists of a pull out couch, small kitchen, living room, dining area and child friendly loft. Two garden showers, large terrace, very private with lovely gardens leading to the beach. Air conditioning in the master bedroom. Beautiful oceanfront views. ACTIVITIES: Snorkeling is an underwater sightseeing adventure anyone can do. If it's your first time, our snorkeling guide will patiently introduce you to your mask, fins and snorkel, it's easy. By land or by water, there are many snorkel spots easily accessible from Fernandez Bay. 'Dry Head', a spectacular coral reef, teeming with abundant sea life is a short boat ride away. Located in shallow water and so close to shore makes it easy for everyone to explore. Queen trigger fish, Trumpet fish, majestic sea fans, shapely sponges, conch and colorful shells call this reef home. SCUBA Diving on a spectacular reef, enjoying a feast for the eyes from 100 foot round coral heads or wall diving in 70-100 feet, it's all here. Just a short drive away to the Greenwood Resort and Diving Center and Hawk's Nest Marina is pristine diving off the shores of Cat Island. Bonefishing has been a steadily growing pastime for many guests at Fernandez Bay. Mark Keasler, resident fishing guide, has a reputation for patience and a keen intuition for finding (and catching!?) the elusive bonefish. By boat, car or bicycle there are secluded creeks and out-of-the-way flats to cast away on. Offshore Fishing is seasonal but can easily be arranged through Mark. Full day trips and "short day" kid trips are available for little anglers. Canoeing and Kayaking through the creek at the Southern end of Fernandez Bay is a peaceful, quiet trip through twisting and turning waterways. The Creek is an aquatic nursery for baby sharks, manta rays and other small fish. Paddlers can see them cruising along the sandy bottom or darting in and out of the 'walking trees', (mangrove trees). Shell Beach, all the way through the creek is the perfect place to anchor your canoe, have a picnic, look for shells and soak up the warm Bahamian sun. Fernandez Bay Village can supply maps and directions leading the way through the creek to "Boiling Hole". This is a snorkeler friendly blue hole with attitude. The blue holes of Cat Island are filled with legends and folklore. Locals tell of both mermaids and sea monsters inhabiting them. One Blue hole is reputed to be the home of a horse eating monster. Numerous stories about encounters with these fantastic creatures are repeated by Islanders. Whether fact or fiction, the legends surrounding the Blue Holes of Cat Island make them a curious attraction and an unforgettable adventure. Boating to a nearby beach or Cay is another great way to enjoy a picnic lunch and the solitude of a quiet unexplored stretch of beach. Try some water skiing, knee-boarding or just sightseeing along Cat Island's coast. Small settlements of brightly painted houses and ancient Plantation ruins dot the way. Snorkel a living coral Cay, do some bottom fishing or venture into one of the many bat caves. Dark and remote, the caves of Cat Island are home to bats, lizards and spiders. Thirteen foot Boston Whalers can be rented without a captain for exploring nearby beaches. The 23' mako - "Done Gone" - the Ana Capri - "Soon Come" are available with a captain for longer trips to Dry Head for snorkeling, picnics on pigeon Cay, exploring bat caves and shelling at Old Bight Beach. The sea is calling you! Sightseeing by BIKE or CAR is a must if you want to visit the Hermitage. Set atop the highest point in the Bahamas on Mt. Alvernia, is a tiny monastery and chapel built by architect/priest Father Jerome in the late 1940's. This small climb rewards you with a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and turquoise Exuma sound on the other. Beach cruiser bicycles are available for rent from FBV. Maps and informative books for touring are available at the front desk. Cars are available in New Bight for a 24 hour rental period, or longer. To the north of Fernandez Bay you can visit the Conch House, the Great Crown Cave at Dumfries and Henry Hawkins Plantation ruins; south you will see the restored St. Francis Chapel, the Bishops' chimney, and the Andrew Deveaux Estate. There are miles of unspoiled pink and white sand beaches, easily accessible by car or bike for beachcombing to find the perfect shell, picnicking and being alone. Shopping is limited to basketry, straw goods and tee-shirts, retail enterprises have yet to invade the peace of tranquil Cat Island. Although a limited amount of drug store items can be purchased, it is advisable to bring necessary medications, sunscreen, insect repellent, camera and film. Hammocks for counting waves, snoozing or reading your favorite book can be done anytime, all day. Daydreaming - As much as possible! Castle building -- ditto DINING/RESTARUANTS: What's to eat? Breakfast is served seaside on the dining terrace, overlooking the bay.Choose from the buffet of cereal, boiled eggs, cheese's, ham, sweet rolls, bagels and more or sample the daily special, banana pancakes, a caribbean club, cinnamon french toast or eggs benedict on sunday. Lunch is a lighter fare, consisting of heavenly sandwiches prepared on fresh baked Bahamian bread. Dinners at FBV have such a reputation for taste and ambiance, they attract boaters and private pilots from throughout the Bahamas and South Florida. Served buffet style (Bahamian and Continental Cuisine) on the beach patio under the stars, guests come early to mix and mingle at the tiki bar, to sample island hors d'oeuvres; conch fritters, grilled keilbasa or a lobster dip, followed by dinner (a meat and a seafood, rice or potatoes, vegetable, green salad and homemade rolls), and then comes dessert and de-caf coffee. Chefs Karen and Carnetta with assistants Sheba Mae and Melissa take great pride in their meals. There's always a stalk of bananas hanging around or seasonal mangoes, papaya, watermelon, tomatoes and limes filling the fruit basket for a quick snack. Other restaurants in nearby settlements include: Bachelors Rest, specializing in conch dishes, you can watch the owner, Ruth take the conch from it's shell before she cooks it for you - it's that fresh. The Bridge Inn, famous for its stew fish, grits and Johnny cake. The Sailing Club for chicken lunches and dinners. The Bluebird Cafe, known for it's spicy Bahamian food is located on a sweet beach near the Hermitage, its "the" place to catch all the Island sip-sip. Ocean View, has a great view - good food and cold drinks. Nice snorkel spot too. Several of Fernandez Bay villas have kitchens. Provisions for cooking can be found at The New Bight Market or at the Village Grocery store at Fernandez Bay. Both shops are stocked with dry goods, fruits, vegetables, a variety of meats and seafood, wine, beer, soda and juice. We've tee-shirts and postcards too. The Tiki Bar is the gathering spot for Fernandez Bay's guest to meet and marvel at the sunset. It's the perfect spot to get a cool drink after a day in the sea and sun. Guests are their own bartender at this honor bar, a tradition of trust that hasn't changed since the resort first opened. White, Red and Blush wines are available, Bacardi Breezers, Kalik and Corona Beer, a variety of sodas and juices and all the fixings for a Pina Colada or Rum Punch are re-stocked each day at the tiki bar. Fine wines are available upon request. Type: Resort Beach Location: Beach Front (Directly on Beach/Water Front) http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Bahamas/fernandezbayvillage/hotel/680/15/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:22:41 EST