The Out Islands of The Bahamas are another universe entirely. Home to marvelous natural environments, untouched beaches, sparkling turquoise water, they’re some of the most spectacularly beautiful places anywhere in the wider region. 

That’s particularly true in Cat Island, a fishhook-shaped island in the Central Bahamas that’s about an hour by plane from Nassau. 

It’s a place for those in seek of privacy, relaxation and the ultimate laid-back vacation — and some of the best boating, fishing, snorkeling and diving in The Bahamas. 

It’s also home to the highest point in The Bahamas, Mount Alvernia, a “Healing Hole” and some truly remarkable, endless white-sand beaches (and of course the world-famous Pink Chicken beach bar.)

It’s even easier to get to Cat Island right now, with service on Makers Air from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport four days per week (along with service on Western Air via Nassau). For more (including a $250 Air Credit, see here). 

So where to stay? 

The island is home to a plethora of boutique hotels and resorts, all oozing classic Out Islands charm and most with either direct beachfront locations or dramatic views. 

Here are our favorite places to stay on Cat. 

Fernandez Bay Village The most legendary place to stay on the island has nearly a half century of history, with a prime setting close to the New Bight Airport and set on a dramatically beautiful stretch of sand. It’s a classic Caribbean beach resort, with a total of 18 rooms and villas, delicious food and unforgettable touches — a tiki honor bar. If it’s available, make sure you go for Shane’s Shack, the quintessential toes-in-the-sand room. 

Rollezz Villas Beach Resort It’s hard to find a more beautiful beach anywhere in the Caribbean than Old Bight Beach, the home of the lovely Rollezz Villas Beach Resort. This is all about the beach, with eight authentically decorated villas all right at the edge of the sand. Indeed, Old Bight is one of the longest uninterrupted beaches in all of The Bahamas, and other than guests at Rollezz you may go days without seeing another visitor. That means the ultimate amenity — and the chance for unique beach experiences including meals in the sand itself. 

Shannas Cove Resort There are just five rooms at this boutique resort at the very northern tip of Cat Island, all with stunning sea views from an elevated perch above the beach. It’s also a great jumping off point for everything from hiking to bone fishing to kayaking and the miles-long, always-empty Port Royal Beach. The food is terrific, too, anchored by what’s easily the best restaurant on the island.

Hawks Nest Resort and Marina Every room is right on the beach here, but that’s not the biggest amenity. In a part of the region that’s ultra-popular with private pilots, the Hawks Nest has a rather unique amenity: you can fly right into the hotel, home to its own private landing strip. It’s also home to the premier marina on Cat Island, making it the prime fishing center on the island. And that’s just the beginning at Hawks Nest, with a restaurant, two terrific bars and a world of activities to enjoy. 

Greenwood Beach Resort If you’re a kiteboarder, this is a Caribbean Mecca. But if you’re looking for a beach getaway, it’s hard to beat. Home to 16 colorful rooms, Greenwood is a throwback to the island resorts of yore, with a simple recipe: authentic food, warm service and a world-class, pink-sand beach. 

Fountain Bay Resort This boutique beachfront resort has five bungalow-style bungalows and another four two-bedroom condos. It’s a residential-style hotel, meaning even the bungalows have mini fridges, microwaves and coffee machines. But more importantly, the rooms are all just steps from the sand. It’s a bit like staying in your own private beach club. 

Orange Creek Inn You get two bodies of water here, one a stunning beach just across the street and the other the Orange Creek mangrove channel. There  are 16 rooms, an on-site grocery, great bonefishing and welcome touches like on-site car rental and even an included airport pickup. 

Pigeon Cay Beach Club There are eight cottages here, about three miles from Bennetts Harbour in the northern portion of Cat Island. Every one of them has its own kitchen, ranging from one to three bedrooms. It’s deliciously low key, with a wonderful direct beachfront setting and an emphasis on toes-in-the-sand, rustic cool. 

The Ocean Dream Beach Resort The greenest hotel on the island, the Ocean Dream is completely solar powered, with a commitment to eco-tourism. Billing itself as the “ultimate eco escape,” it’s home to a unique Greek-Bahamian eatery, a gift shop and a collection of hillside cottages looking out at Cat Island’s wild Atlantic-side water. 

The post The 9 Best Hotels in Cat Island, The Bahamas  appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Anguilla is set to become the latest Caribbean destination to waive testing for vaccinated travelers. 

The island’s Ministry of Health has announced plans to waive pre-arrival testing for vaccinated travelers beginning Aug. 8, 2022. 

Beginning Aug. 8, Anguilla will also permit unvaccinated travelers to visit the island, with a negative test result. Anguilla will no longer be quarantining unvaccinated travelers nor requiring further testing. 

Unvaccinated travelers need to show proof of a negative test result, either a PCR test within three days before arrival or a rapid antigen test within two days before arrival. 

The island has not yet revealed its testing policies for children under 18. 

“The Ministry of Health reminds the public that frequent handwashing and the practice of good hygiene remain the best ways to protect and prevent the spread of COVID-19,” the Ministry said in a statement. 

The moves come as Anguilla “continues to strive towards learning to live with Covid-19 for the long term,” the island’s Tourist Board said in a statement. 

More and more Caribbean destinations are removing testing requirements, both for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.

Indeed, destinations including Jamaica, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Grenada, the US Virgin Islands and, most recently, the British Virgin Islands no longer require testing for any travelers, regardless of vaccination status.

For more, visit Anguilla. 

The post Anguilla Is Removing Testing for Vaccinated Travelers  appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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In a major shift, the British Virgin Islands has removed pre-testing requirements for travelers, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

That means travelers no longer have to show proof of a negative test to enter the British overseas territory. 

Travelers are also no longer required to be screened upon arrival for Covid, according to the latest health update from the destination. 

The British Virgin Islands is now following the neighboring US Virgin Islands, which made the same move back in May.

It could be a big boost for the British Virgin Islands, whose tourism industry has struggled significantly since the onset of the pandemic. 

“Travelers are urged take appropriate precautions to prevent the infection of the virus where necessary such as general sanitisation and hand washing measures,” the British Virgin Islands’ government said in a statement. “The wearing of face masks/coverings are no longer mandated by law, but are allowed as a matter of choice in public spaces, or as a policy of a business place or other establishment.”

The British Virgin Islands is now part of a growing collection of destinations that require no testing or vaccination proof in order to enter. 

That includes the US Virgin Islands, Grenada, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao and, most recently, Belize. 

A number of other destinations have dropped testing requirements but continue to require proof of vaccination in order to enter. 

For more, visit British Virgin Islands Tourism.

The post British Virgin Islands Removes Testing Requirements for Travelers appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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In The Bahamas Out Islands, Staniel Cay, Exuma is well known as a mariner’s crossroads.  

And everyone knows The Yacht Club, the Grotto and the Pigs.  

But few people know the secret serenity of the other side of Staniel Cay, where some of the most beautiful beaches and secluded nature await the adventurous traveler. 

That includes Pirate Beach and Staniel Cay Ocean Park, two beaches as different as they are beautiful, where you’ll almost never see another soul on the sand. 

Even on a tiny island, it’s a different universe than the energy of the storied Yacht Club, a place that retains its longtime position as a Mecca in The Bahamas. 

The portal to this secret side of Staniel Cay is at the family-owned Embrace Resort, a mix of seven cottages, all with full kitchens and a commitment to delivering the authentic Bahamian experience. 

There are five one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms and a three-bedroom cottage, all ready for you to move right in for a day or week or two. 

It’s also adjacent to the island’s tiny airport, making for the romantic hum of arriving prop planes during the day. 

And even better When you leave, you can check in at the airport, head back to the hotel and wait for your flight. 

It’s a locally-owned, locally-run resort, one built by dedication, hard work and 30 years of perseverance. 

“What makes Embrace Resort so unique is that fact that once you arrive you’ll have a friend in paradise,” says owner Natajia Miller. “We’re like a down-to-earth luxury, you can come as yourself and let your hair down while having us there every step of the way to make sure your stay is memorable.” 

And that’s a near certainty, whether your’e visiting the famous pigs, swimming in the Grotto, chasing after iguanas, fishing, diving, sailing, snorkeling or just spending your days on the impossibly beautiful sands of Pirate Beach or the Ocean Park. 

It’s the other side of Staniel Cay, and you’ll have it all to yourself. 

For more, visit the Embrace Resort.

The post In The Bahamas, Embracing Another Side of Exuma’s Staniel Cay appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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In a significant move, Belize has become the latest Caribbean destination to dispense with all of its travel health protocols. 

That means travelers to Belize no longer need to show proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter the country, regardless of vaccination status. 

Belize has also made the purchase of Belize Travel Health Insurance optional, although officials said it was still encouraged a as a form of protection against incurring medical and non-medical emergency expenses. 

The only remaining protocol is that travelers must continue to book their stay at a Belize Tourist Board Gold Standard-Approved Hotel. 

“With the emergence of weaker variants of COVID-19 and with the global trend of restrictions being relaxed, the time has come to take the pressure off of our health systems,” said Kevin Bernard, Belize’s Minister of Health and Wellness. “We’ve reached a level where it’s now everyone’s personal responsibility to decide whether they want to be vaccinated or not.”

In light of new variants, Belize officials said vaccines remained the best form of protection against the virus. 

Belize joins a now-growing community of destinations that do not require testing for visitors, regardless of vaccination status. 

That includes, most notably, Jamaica, Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire and Grenada. 

For more, visit Belize. 

The post Belize Just Removed All Testing and Vaccination Requirements for Visitors appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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