Clean and Pristine - The Out Islands of the Bahamas (COVID19 measures) Vacation rentals displaying the “Clean & Pristine” badge have undergone strict certification and inspection by The Bahamas’ Ministry of Health and the Clean & Pristine Certification Agency. “Clean & Pristine” is your assurance that vacation rentals are adhering to The Bahamas’ government-approved guidelines, which reflect the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)...the Boathouse was certified as the first vacation rental property in Cat Island to receive its “Clean and Pristine” certification from the Bahamian government. Our property management have created and implemented protocols that exceed all requirements to provide our guests with a clean and safe environment from which to explore and enjoy Cat Island.

Make 100% certain that the vacation rental you are considering have met the "Clean and Pristine" guidelines and have been awarded their official certification. A certified property has a "registration number" to prove it.
See our certification badge in "photos".




The Boathouse is a custom built, Bahamian-style home set on a privately owned 3 1/4 acre property. The acreage runs from the ocean to the bay with the house set back from the beach between the ocean and the Bay. The Boathouse is surrounded by water on three sides and has a path to the sugar, white sand beach with gin clear water.The Boathouse is very private, as is our beach. Jenn Air Convection oven/microwave, Jenn-Air Stovetop, Ice maker, Select Comfort California King Bed w/ down pillows and 400ct. Egyptian Cotton sheets, fabulous outdoor protected shower, DVD, VHS, Film Library, Air-conditioning, Ceiling fans throughout, lending library, Tommy Bahama sofa & chair, Teak chaise lounges & dining area, IKEA cabinets,12 foot decks all around. A new permanent screened-in area was added to the deck area in October 2017. Walk to the Pigeon Cay Beach Club with access to beach bar & outdoor dining. Use of kayaks, canoe, and bicycles included in stay. Selection of grocery markets, restaurants and bars are nearby.


-The Boathouse is professionally cleaned and maintained

-Property manager on-island to assist with any questions or requests

-Broadband wireless internet throughout

-Free use of kayaks, canoe and bicycles



We have added a screened-in section to our outdoor deck for guests added comfort. The custom designed and constructed no-see-um screen system delivers an additional seating/relaxing/eating option outdoors, for those evenings when flying pests may show up. With 1,584 sq ft of covered deck space encircling the entire house, this new screened addition provides maximum flexibility outdoors.

-interior floors completely refinished, 100% of interior walls and ceiling rafters repainted
-new entrance walkway added
-sectional seagrass sofa added to 12' deck


-Recent addition of new Tommy Bahama seagrass sofa, oversize chair & ottoman




Cat Island Overview: Untainted by tourism, Cat Island is the sixth-largest island in The Bahamas. The fishhook-shaped island — some 48 miles long and 1 to 4 miles wide and lies about 325 miles southeast of Miami. Named after the pirate Arthur Catt, it’s located near the Tropic of Cancer, between Eleuthera and Long Island. It has one of the best climates in The Bahamas, with temperatures in the high 60s during the short winters, rising to the mid-80s in summer, with trade winds making the place even more comfortable. With its pristine virgin beaches, Cat Island is one of the most beautiful islands in The Bahamas, and it is so little visited that it's inexpensive and still feels undiscovered. Many local historians claim that Cat Island residents were the first to see Columbus. The great explorer himself was believed by some to have been welcomed here by the peaceful Arawaks. Beautiful beaches offer an array of water sports. Visitors can go swimming or snorkeling at several places.

Boathouse housekeeping and maintenance: The Boathouse is professionally cleaned and maintained.

Property manager on-island to assist with any questions or requests you may have. Property manager will also assist with car rental reservations, restaurant recommendations, grocery store/liquor store/wine shop directions,airport pickup details and directions to not-to-miss sights.

Kayaks, canoe and bicycles: The use of kayaks, canoe and bicycles is included in your stay at the Boathouse. There are 2 kayaks available, a tandem and a single, plus there are 2 new beach cruisers parked in our garage for your use. The canoe is tied up behind the house on the back bay.

A newly built tiki hut with cushioned chaise lounges is available for your exclusive use on our beach.

Additional beach chairs, a beach umbrella and an ice chest are also stored in the garage for your enjoyment.

A king size hammock hangs on the deck for reading,relaxing, or an afternoon nap.

There is a large lending library at the Boathouse which includes many new fiction and non-fiction books.

Numerous Caribbean cookbooks and favorite Bahamian recipes are located in our library.


Historical
Hermitage on Mt. Alvernia
This island's distinct virtue is that it is home to the highest point in the Bahamas--Mount Alvernia--an astounding 206 feet (63 meters) above sea level On its peak is a monastery called The Hermitage, built by Monsignor Jerome Hawkes, who came to The Bahamas as an Architect and an Anglican priest to repair Anglican churches on Long Island. He was later ordained as a Roman Catholic Priest and became known as Monsignor Jerome Hawkes.

Deveaux Mansion
The ruins of an 18th-century plantation house.

Columbus Point
One of the many Indian caves which honeycomb the island, and a conch shell monument to Christopher Columbus, a testament to the locals' undying belief that here marks his first landfall, much to the dismay of the nearby San Salvadorians, who insist that the honor belongs to them.

Boating/Sailing & Diving
Since the day they were first discovered by ship, the 700 islands in The Bahamas have increasingly become a magnet for sea vessels. Fuel up. Chart a course. Uninhabited cays, hidden coves, annual regattas, and modern marinas will sweeten the voyage.

Diving
Coral reefs. Blue holes. Walls. Caves. Shipwrecks. Sharks. Dolphins. Stingrays. The variety of islands in The Bahamas presents a variety of diving experiences. Beginners and experts are welcome. Lessons and guides can be found throughout the islands.
Blue Hole; Out on the bank, this circular depression leads to an 80- to 100-foot descent along the outer walls. Inside the opening, divers often encounter schools of fish, large grouper, and Caribbean reef sharks.

White Hole Reef
This reef expresses another phenomenon unusual to The Bahamas: circular depressions in the limestone basin that form flat basins surrounded by coral mounds. These sites serve as an oasis for solitary reef and schooling fish.

Fishing
Bonefishing has become a local favorite within The Islands Of The Bahamas. Bonefishing takes place in the flats, where guides slowly pole small flat-bottomed boats for anglers or the truly dedicated quietly stalk these elusive fish by wading through knee-deep water. These quicksilver fighters, weighing up to 15 pounds, inspire both fly fishermen and spin casters alike with their power and speed.
Unpredictable and wily, the bonefish are often found in schools of 100 or more, making for exciting bursts of action. Don’t try to eat these bottom skimmers—you’ll quickly realize how they got their name.
Nathaniel 'Top Cat' Gilbert, a native of Cat Island, is an expert fishing guide and Certified Bonefishing Champion, with years of experience. He is a people person, likes to entertain and demonstrate fishing techniques. He knows where all of the good fishing spots are and guarantees that you will see fish.

Dining suggestions
-Pigeon Cay Beach Club (1/4 mile walk up the beach from the Boathouse)
Dinner served for guests of the inn, and for Boathouse guests most evenings. Selected entree per evening which typically features fresh fish, crab, baked chicken.
Full bar. PCBC has an honor bar for their guests. Guests of the Boathouse enjoy signing privileges at the honor bar and restaurant and may settled up at departure.


-Derrick's Conch Shack (5 miles from the Boathouse.Easy bike ride)
Fresh couch salad and cracked conch. Call ahead. Dinner upon request including jerk chicken,curry chicken, snapper, grouper, lobster,curried goat.(depending on season).Cold beer.

-Sammy T's (5.6 miles from the Boathouse)
Restaurant and full bar. Specialties include conch fritters,salads,grilled lobster, snapper,chicken

-Cookie House Restaurant in Arthur's Town (10.5 miles)

-Periwinkles (12.5 miles)
Full bar.Salads,crab,ribs,pork chops

-Fernandez Bay Restaurant (18.5 miles)
Full bar.Conch,burgers,fish

Getting here
Scheduled Flights:

SkyBahamas
Ft. Lauderdale and Nassau to The Bight, Cat Island (twice/day)

Cat Island Air
Nassau to Cat Island (daily)

Pineapple Air
Nassau to Cat Island

Bahamasair,
Nassau to Cat Island (flights daily)



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Kayaking
Pigeon Creek, located just steps behind the Boathouse, makes for a peaceful, quiet trip through an aquatic wonderland. The creek is a nursery for sea turtles, bonefish, manta rays and other small fish. Paddlers can see them cruising along the sandy bottom or darting in and out of the mangrove trees.
If you have never kayaked before, this is the place to learn. Our ocean kayaks are wide and stable and do not restrain your legs or body. They are easy to get in and out of and it is easy to learn for first timers.