The Berry Islands are a chain of small cays and low-lying islands scattered between Grand Bahama and Nassau, known for their clear waters, quiet anchorages, and understated luxury. Unlike larger destinations, the experience here is defined by space, privacy, and proximity to the sea.
With minimal development and a strong connection to boating culture, the Berry Islands offer calm beaches, hidden coves, and a slower, more exclusive rhythm.
From legendary fishing grounds to hidden blue holes, the Berry Islands offer experiences found nowhere else in the Bahamas. Here is what makes this island chain truly special:
World-Class Sportfishing: Chub Cay borders the Tongue of the Ocean, a deep-sea gully that has earned the Berry Islands their reputation as the “Billfish Capital of The Bahamas”. Record-breaking marlin, tuna, wahoo, and king mackerel are regularly caught in these waters. Annual fishing tournaments draw competitors from around the world.
Uncrowded Beaches: Great Harbour Cay’s Sugar Beach is a stunning stretch of powdery sand where you’ll likely be one of only a handful of visitors. Nicholls Town Beach offers miles of shoreline with gentle easterly breezes.
Hidden Blue Holes: The Berry Islands are home to several spectacular blue holes, including the famous blue hole on Hoffman’s Cay. These deep, water-filled sinkholes offer unique snorkeling and diving experiences in crystal-clear water.
Allen’s Cay Iguanas: This tiny, unspoiled cay is famous for its tame Bahamian rock iguanas, which come right up to boats and visitors, one of the most distinctive wildlife encounters in the Bahamas.
Sugar Beach Caves: The caves at Sugar Beach offer a glimpse into the islands’ geological history and provide a cool escape from the tropical sun.
Flo’s Conch Bar: A local institution where you can sample authentic Bahamian conch fritters and experience the warm hospitality that defines the Berry Islands.
Complete Seclusion: With only 700 residents spread across 30 cays, the Berry Islands offer a level of solitude unmatched in more developed parts of the Bahamas. Many cays, including Frazier’s Hog Cay, Bonds Cay, Crab Cay, and Bird Cay, are privately owned and remain entirely undeveloped.
Access to the Berry Islands is limited through commercial aviation, with few direct routes and infrequent schedules. Given the spread of the islands and the importance of precise arrival points, private charter becomes the most practical and efficient way to travel between them.
Air Flight Charters allows travelers to fly directly into the closest airstrip, align arrival times with marina or villa access, and avoid unnecessary transit through larger hubs.
The Berry Islands are served by smaller airports and private airstrips, making private aviation the most effective way to reach them. These access points are positioned close to key cays and marinas.
Great Harbour Cay Airport (GHC / MYBG)
Located on Great Harbour Cay, the largest and most populated island in the chain, this is the primary gateway for visitors to the Berry Islands. The airport serves as the main hub for both domestic flights from Nassau and private charter arrivals from Florida and beyond.
The airport’s runway accommodates turboprops and light jets, making it suitable for the aircraft in Air Flight Charters’ fleet. Private charter passengers benefit from streamlined processing, and the airport’s location puts you within easy reach of Great Harbour Cay’s famous beaches, including the stunning Sugar Beach.
Chub Cay International Airport (CCZ / MYBC)
Located on Chub Cay, renowned as the “Billfish Capital of The Bahamas,” this airport serves as the gateway to one of the world’s most legendary sportfishing destinations. Chub Cay borders a deep-sea gully known as the Tongue of the Ocean, where bait fish are drawn into submarine gardens and larger game fish follow in abundance.
Chub Cay features a full-service marina and world-class sportfishing infrastructure, making it the preferred entry point for anglers targeting billfish, tuna, grouper, wahoo, and king mackerel. Private charter passengers arriving at CCZ can clear customs and be on the water within an hour.
Big Whale Cay Airport (MYBW)
For travelers with exclusive arrangements, Big Whale Cay features a private airstrip (ICAO: MYBW) that serves this privately owned island. Access is by prior arrangement only and is typically reserved for guests of the island’s private estate.
The Berry Islands are a scattered chain of approximately 30 cays, most of them uninhabited. Here is what actually matters for your trip.
Two Airports, Two Different Experiences
Great Harbour Cay (GHC) serves the main island with beaches, golf carts, and local settlements. Chub Cay (CCZ) serves the fishing resort and marina. Choose based on your trip style, relaxed island exploration at Great Harbour, or dedicated sportfishing at Chub Cay. They are not interchangeable.
Water Is the Only Way Between Cays
Roads exist only on Great Harbour Cay and Chub Cay. Visiting Hoffman’s Cay, Allen’s Cay, or any other cay requires a boat. If you are not bringing your own, arrange a water taxi or charter in advance. Day trips are possible but not spontaneous.
Golf Carts Are the Vehicle of Choice
On Great Harbour Cay, golf carts are the primary transportation. Rentals are available near the ferry dock and airport. Cars are available but unnecessary given the island’s size. Reserve your cart in advance during peak season.
The Ferry Connects the Airports
South Bimini? No. The Berry Islands have a different setup. Great Harbour Cay has its own airport. Chub Cay has its own airport. No regular ferry service connects these two airports. You cannot fly into one and easily reach the other without a private boat or returning by air.
Allen’s Cay Iguanas Are a Day Trip
The famous Bahamian rock iguanas on Allen’s Cay are not visible from Great Harbour or Chub Cay. You need a boat to reach them. Tour operators offer day trips, or you can charter a private boat. The iguanas are wild, do not feed them.
The Blue Hole on Hoffman’s Cay
Hoffman’s Cay is uninhabited and accessible only by boat. The blue hole there is a popular swimming spot, but there are no facilities, no lifeguards, and no marked trails. Go with a guide or someone who has visited before.
Temperatures by Season
What to Pack Specifically for the Berries
Water shoes (rocky shorelines on cays), polarized sunglasses (essential for navigating shallow water), a dry bag for day trips, reef-safe sunscreen, and insect repellent for dawn and dusk on the cays.
Dining Options Are Limited
Great Harbour Cay has a few restaurants and bars, plus a grocery store for self-catering. Chub Cay dining centers around the resort and marina. On uninhabited cays, there is nothing. Pack lunch or arrange for your boat captain to include meals on day trips.
No Gas Stations on Outer Cays
Fuel is available at marinas on Great Harbour Cay and Chub Cay. On Hoffman’s Cay, Allen’s Cay, or any other cay, there is no fuel. If you are boating independently, fill up before leaving the main islands.
Cell Service Drops Quickly
Reliable service exists on Great Harbour Cay near the settlement. Once you head to Chub Cay or out to the smaller cays, expect spotty or no signal. Download maps and offline entertainment before leaving.
Sundays Are Quiet
Most businesses close or operate reduced hours on Sunday. Restaurants may be closed. Ferry and water taxi services may run less frequently. Plan your arrival and supply runs for Saturday.
How Long to Stay
Three to four days is sufficient for Great Harbour Cay and day trips to nearby cays. A week allows for a slower pace and multiple offshore excursions. Chub Cay is best experienced as a dedicated fishing trip of 3-5 days.
Private charter routes to the Berry Islands are typically short and efficient, particularly from South Florida and Nassau, allowing quick access to this quiet island chain.
From Nassau (NAS / MYNN), flight time to Great Harbour Cay is approximately 25 to 35 minutes, a quick hop that a private charter makes effortless.
The Berry Islands are well-positioned for multi-stop itineraries, connecting easily with other parts of the Bahamas and nearby regions.
Empty leg flights may occasionally align with routes to the Berry Islands, particularly from Florida or Nassau. These options provide flexible travelers with an efficient way to access the islands while maintaining the same private charter experience.
The Berry Islands offer a quieter, more refined way to experience the Bahamas, centered on water, space, and privacy. Air Flight Charters ensures that reaching them remains seamless, flexible, and entirely tailored to your journey.
This archipelago of over 30 cays offers stunning natural attractions like Hoffman’s Cay blue hole, world-class billfishing at Chub Cay, and pristine, uninhabited islands ideal for kayaking and exploring vibrant mangrove ecosystems.
With many cays and limited commercial air service, a private charter provides direct, flexible access to explore multiple islands conveniently in one trip.
You can explore blue holes, kayak through fertile mangrove creeks, enjoy world-class fishing, and snorkel in crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life around uninhabited cays.
We offer direct flights to key islands like Great Harbour Cay and Chub Cay, making it easy to start your adventure in this scattered archipelago without the hassle of complex boat transfers or commercial connections.
This archipelago of over 30 cays offers stunning natural attractions like Hoffman’s Cay blue hole, world-class billfishing at Chub Cay, and pristine, uninhabited islands ideal for kayaking and exploring vibrant mangrove ecosystems.
