who owns staniel cay yacht club

History Staniel Cay Yacht Club

History of the staniel cay yacht club.

The island of Staniel Cay is nestled in the magnificent chain of Bahamian Islands called The Exuma Cays (a.k.a. “Exumas”). Staniel Cay lies approximately 75 miles south of Nassau and 250 miles of southeast of Florida. The island itself is less than 2 square miles in area. A small Bahamian village lies on the western shore, just a short walk south from the Staniel Cay Yacht Club. Although small, (the island has a population of less than 90 full-time residents) the island has most of what anyone could need! The island and surrounding waters have been showcased in several Hollywood movies, including Thunderball, Splash, and Into the Blue, amongst others.

The Legacy Begins

The Staniel Cay Yacht Club

The Yacht Club has been an established part of the Staniel Cay community since 1956. We offer the perfect getaway for anyone seeking a comfortable, casual vacation on a remote, tranquil island, surrounded by the most incredible water you will ever experience.

Staniel Cay Yacht Club

Today we are a boutique resort with 13 intimate bungalows, one private villa, a full-service marina, the Clubhouse with a wonderful restaurant and casual island bar (picked by Jimmy Buffett himself as one of his favorite bars for a waterside drink!) , and a 3,000 ft. airstrip with daily flights from Fort Lauderdale. Both the Yacht Club and the Yacht Club Restaurant have received the Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence for many years in a row!

Take your own boat, find your own beach, make your own path. It really is like no other place on Earth.

• Employment Opportunities at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club
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• SCYC Privacy Policy
• Garden View Suite
• Waterfront Bungalows
• Waterfront Suites
• All Inclusive Resort
• Pool and Sundeck
• Yacht Charters & Vacation Rentals
• Vacation Package Plan Agreements
• Dining Menus
• Dine in Paradise
• Private Events
• History of SCYC
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Getting Here
• Donate: Staniel Cay St. Luke’s Clinic Foundation, Inc.

The Ultimate Staniel Cay Guide

11/25/2021 by Kristin Addis 2 Comments

Imagine a little island of only 120 people, where everyone waves to you, the water is baby blue, and you’re a stone’s throw away from the original swimming pigs of Big Major Cay.

Staniel Cay is a little island in the Exumas of the Bahamas that’s full of character and a great jumping off point not just for the pigs, but for grottos, cuddling with nurse sharks, sea turtles, iguanas that live on the sand, and even an underwater piano. Here are my favorite things to do there, plus where to stay and what to eat when on Staniel Cay:

Table of Contents

Things to do:

Rent a golf cart and explore:.

Staniel Cay is small, and though you could walk it, most people opt for a golf cart since it can get HOT during the day, and they’re fun to drive anyways.

I had actually never driven a golf cart before trying on Staniel Cay, but it was a good place to learn. It’s not like there’s any traffic to speak of on the roads, and if you manage to get lost, I’ll be impressed! The golf cart gives you the freedom to drive yourself to the beaches and to dinner, and it’s how most people choose to get around the island. Remember to drive on the left!

You can rent golf carts here (affiliate link).

Pirate Beach

This was my favorite beach on Staniel Cay, with white sand, baby blue water, and the perfect conditions for a floating session. It’s easy to get to, nestled on the north side of the island. Just follow G&B highway almost to the end, turning right down a dirt road just before you reach it. I used Maps.me (a free map smartphone app) to navigate while I was there and found it easily.

Keep in mind there will be a lot less beach at high tide, which is dependent on the moon phase.

Sunset at the Yacht Club

An institution on Staniel Cay, the Yacht Club is one of the only places to eat on the island, and is a favorite hangout spot of most visitors. Chances are good that while you’re staying on the island, you’re going to eat here at least once. My recommendation is catching the sunset there, as it is perfectly situated facing west.

There’s a nice beach just before you reach the Yacht Club as well, where I saw a ray fully breach out of the water! There are nurse sharks nearby as well.

The Swimming Pigs Tour

This is what you probably came to Staniel Cay to see – the swimming pigs ! I found the experience to be delightful. We had such an awesome boat captain, Dave with 3N’s Exuma Vacations, who seemed to have a special relationship with them. He’s even trained one to stand up for treats!

The pigs really do swim right over to your boat, and you can get in the water with them and swim around, which I did! They were adorable, and much more open to pets and belly rubs than most other pigs I have met. There are also babies that your guide will likely bottlefeed and maybe even give you the opportunity to try as well.

There are touristy things that sometimes don’t live up to the hype, but this really did for me. Where else in the world can you see swimming pigs in perfectly blue, clear water? You can book it here.

Snuggle Nurse Sharks

The swimming pigs tours almost always include the nurse sharks, too. You’ve probably also seen famous photos of people floating with the nurse sharks in the Exumas. These sharks are habituated, and have been for decades. They are used to tourists swimming in the water with them, and are so docile you can even stroke them and hug them!

That said, they are still sharks, so please respect them and watch your fingers when you’re interacting with them. Your guide will most likely bring along fish treats to attract them over. Even if you’re not comfortable getting in the water, you can watch them from the dock above.

A word to the wise: While DSLR cameras are welcome elsewhere on the tour stops mentioned in this post, you’re only allowed to take photos and film with a phone at the sharks.

Visit the Sand Bar

Only visible at certain times of day, the Sandbar will be a logical stop between the nurse sharks and the pigs on a day tour. If you have a drone, this is the place to fly! You get nice layers of color as the sand fades to dark blue channels for the water to flow through. Since you can’t fly anywhere on Staniel Cay due to the proximity to the airport, I liked the opportunity of being able to fly on the sandbar.

But even if you don’t have a drone, the perfectly white sand set amongst a multicolored blue backdrop makes for beautiful photos!

Sea Aquarium

This stop has a small area that has lots of little, colorful fish and nice corals for a quick snorkel.

I thought the corals were particularly nice, with lots of sea fans, parrotfish, and sometimes even turtles, if you’re lucky.

En route, ask your captain to stop by the plane wreck if you’re interested. It’s shallow enough to be viewed from the surface.

Thunderball Grotto

The Thunderball Grotto will probably be your first or last stop of any boat tour out of Staniel Cay, and entry and exit all depends on the tides. The current can sometimes be strong, but if you’re a strong swimmer and able to hold your breath and swim down into the cave, you’ll be just fine.

There’s a variety of fish inside, with several entry and exit points that emit light underwater. There are little bats inside too, though they’ll likely be sleeping when you visit.

Around noon, you can even get sun beams shooting into the cave, which would be amazing to see!

See the Sea Turtles

While the pigs, sharks, grotto, and sand bar are all part of the usual tour out of Staniel Cay, you can opt for something a little different heading in the other direction. If you’ve always wanted to swim with sea turtles, you can get the chance on Farmer’s Cay.

Like most of the animal attractions in the Exumas, a local guide takes their favorite food — conch — out into the water to attract them.

I’m not sure how I feel about feeding wildlife, but I also appreciate that this is how many animal interactions around the world are done, from shark swimming, whether in a cage or the deep ocean, to attracting fish when snorkeling. The same is true of feeding birds when out hiking, or, honestly, putting out a bird feeder in the backyard. Everyone has to decide for themselves how they feel about it, but I at least want you to go into the experience with open eyes. Like the nurse sharks, these guys seem habituated.

The Underwater Piano

About 15 minutes beyond where you swim with the sea turtles, there’s an underwater piano with a mermaid hanging out next to it. This is also not part of the typical tour, but if you get a group of friends together and get your own private boat, this is a pretty cool one to stop by and is only about 15 or so feet down in the water.

This work of art, called the Musician, was commissioned by David Copperfield who owns an island nearby. It was created by Jason DeCaires Taylor and intended it to be a surprise for the few private guests of the island, as well as day visitors like me. Bonus – since it’s not on the usual tour, nobody else was around.

Iguanas on the Beach

On your way back to Staniel Cay, why not another animal interaction? We did everything mentioned here from the pigs onwards in one day, and it felt so full of wonderful animal experiences, I found myself appreciating how much variety and abundance there is in the Exumas.

These iguanas mostly survive off of berries and greens found on the island, and have no natural predators. Like the pigs, they’re cared for and looked after by official staff, living out most of their days happily on the sand.

Where to Stay:

I stayed at EMBRACE Resort while I was on Staniel Cay, and it’s great for many reasons – it’s local, Bahamanian woman founded, owned, and operated, the central location is great, and it’s affordable.

While there are vacation rentals and a few other options on Staniel Cay, I loved the vibe of EMBRACE. My bungalow was adorable, with my own fridge, a big jetted tub, and a big bed all for me. They would also bring by little treats every now and then, and really made me feel welcomed and at home.

There’s also a pool, easy golf cart rental and parking, and discounts on the tours mentioned above when you stay with them. They also offer COVID antigen testing onsite, which makes getting back home easy!

They have several different room types, including options with multiple rooms and full kitchens. You can check out the options here.

Where to Eat:

There’s only one major restaurant on Staniel Cay – the Staniel Cay yacht club. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. During the days, it can get quite busy with tour groups coming in to eat lunch, and for dinner you’ll want to book ahead of time for the multi course meals, which were delicious.

That said, Carole at Big Dogs restaurant makes fantastic local food. Each day there are several options like chicken, cornish hen, or my choice while I was there – oxtail. It comes with sides like rice, cole slaw, potato salad, and veggies. Ask at your accommodation if they can call her to place an order. Orders must be placed by 10:30am to eat at noon each day. This is true, home-cooked eating and I LOVED it.

Getting There:

Staniel Cay is about a 30-minute flight from Nassau. I flew Flamingo Air on a little plane and enjoyed the view.

You’ll still fly out of the international airport, heading to the domestic side where you’ll see Flamingo Air on the far left. Keep in mind the schedule seems to be flexible, so try not to leave check-in to the last minute. For help booking, you can ask your accommodation. EMBRACE handled my booking for me and even called me to let me know when my flight time moved up.

Staniel Cay was a little slice of paradise to me. I loved the friendliness, the small-island vibe, the beautiful beaches, and especially the boat tours. There’s really so much to see out there, and if you love animals and super clear water, you’ll love the Exumas.

Pin me for later:

* This post was created in collaboration with Staniel Cay Vacations. All thoughts on the amazing tours and accommodation are my own .

About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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Ruby Stacey says

11/12/2022 at 1:06 pm

such a nice blog, i do loved to explore to this place.

Kristin says

11/18/2022 at 2:23 pm

Calm down. Lots of people out there had drones and they’re here to stay!

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Bar, Restaurant, Hotel & Anchorage - exumas

The perfect tropical getaway

Set on a tiny island in the middle of the Exuma Cays, Staniel Cay Yacht Club offers a laid-back, tranquil haven in the Bahamas, a place to simply relax, take a swim and enjoy a good meal

Surrounded by clear, turquoise water and fringed with white, sandy beaches, Staniel Cay is one of the jewels of the Bahamas, the image of the untouched tropical paradise and an essential stopover during your private yacht charter in the Exumas.

Established in 1956, the Staniel Cay Yacht Club is a boutique resort on the island's west coast, with a collection of brightly painted bungalows and a full-service marina where you can come ashore for lunch in the friendly and informal restaurant.

The shallow waters and protected coral reef around Staniel Cay also make it a great place for snorkelling, while just off shore, Thunderball Grotto - where the 1965 James Bond film of the same name was filmed - is one of the most stunning snorkelling sites in the Bahamas.

The perfect tropical hideaway

Staniel Cay is the image of the untouched tropical paradise and an essential stopover during your private yacht charter in the Exumas

If you are coming ashore for lunch or dinner, Staniel Cay Yacht Club in the Exumas has three inviting restaurants, as well as a convivial bar, which serves simple meals alongside its famous island cocktails.

The waterfront Sea Level restaurant is the place to go for a romantic, candle-lit dinner, while The Captain's Lounge, the resort's original dining area, is a more informal setting with no reservations required. Alternatively, the alfresco Deck offers fine views over the marina and is a great place to meet friends and toast the sunset with a glass of the club's signature rum punch.

Bahamian specialties such as conch and lobster are on the menu, as well as a wide choice of salads and international dishes including steak, lamb, burgers and sandwiches.

Staniel Cay Yacht Club is the ideal place to simply relax and experience the very best of Bahamian hospitality in a beautiful, unspoiled natural setting. You can begin planning your private yacht vacation now, by taking a look at all luxury yachts available for superyacht charter in the Bahamas .

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Visit The Staniel Cay Yacht Club

Explore staniel cay paradise.

The Staniel Cay Yacht Club offers the perfect getaway for anyone seeking a comfortable, casual vacation on a remote, tranquil island. A boutique resort with 13 intimate bungalows, one villa, and a full-service marina, it is set on a charming small island surrounded by the most incredible water you will ever experience. Take your own boat, find your own beach, make your own path. It really is like no other place on Earth.

Visit The Staniel Cay Yacht Club and xxplore crystal-clear waters, pristine reefs, deserted islands and white-sand beaches with your own skiff. The many secluded beaches, coves and isles surrounding Staniel Cay are a perfect setting for numerous activities. At the Staniel Cay Yacht Club , we can provide you with everything you’ll need (including a picnic lunch) to enjoy a day filled with relaxation or excitement – or maybe a little of both!

• Beaches / Sandbarring
• Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park
• Thunderball Grotto , featured in the James Bond film, Thunderball
• Big Major’s Spot , home of the famous  swimming pigs
• Compass Cay , swim with sharks
• Allan’s Cay, see wild iguanas
• Scuba Diving
• Ocean kayak or stand-up paddle board
• Guided tours
• Explore Staniel Cay

It’s Da Ting To Do!

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2023 Complete Staniel Cay Guide | Exuma Cays, Bahamas

Welcome to the complete staniel cay guide 2023.

We have put together a complete Staniel Cay Guide in the Exuma Cays, Bahamas, to help you plan your trip to paradise.

• 1 Where is Staniel Cay?
• 2 How To Get To Staniel Cay
• 3 Best Places To Stay on Staniel Cay
• 4 How Big Is Staniel Cay and How To Get Around?
• 5 Best Time To Visit Staniel Cay
• 6 Staniel Cay Weather
• 7 Best Beaches On Staniel Cay
• 8 Restaurants On Staniel Cay
• 9 Grocery Stores On Staniel Cay
• 10 Day Trips from Staniel Cay
• 11 Swimming With The Pigs
• 12 There ATM’s Or Banks On Staniel Cay?
• 13 Average Daily Spending On Staniel Cay

Where is Staniel Cay?

75 miles southeast of Nassau lies the magical island of Staniel Cay in the Exuma Cays chain. The Exuma Cays has 365 islands, and Staniel Cay is in the center of a chain of small islands.

How To Get To Staniel Cay

There are two ways onto Staniel Cay, air or sea. We went the air route and flew from Nassau with Flamingo Air . They offer two flights a day to and from Nassau 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. The same plane turns around from Staniel Cay, heading back to Nassau at 8:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. Our round-trip tickets were around $250.

Makers Air offers flights from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. Tickets are approximately $650 round-trip.

Staniel Cay can be reached by sea using the mail boat. I spoke with a few locals who said this takes around 12 hours, as the boat makes several stops at neighboring islands.  Departs Nassau on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and returns on Saturdays at 9 a.m.

Please note if you choose this option, you may be sharing your seat with LIVESTOCK! Not many choose this route due to the time, and a flight is only $50 more.

Best Places To Stay on Staniel Cay

Affordable luxury .

Embrace Resort is the newest accommodation option on the island and the place we called home for a week on Staniel Cay. Embrace Resort offers affordable luxury villas to fit everyone’s budget. Prices range from $219 per night for the  Mayaguana one-bedroom villa to $589 per night Andros 3 bedroom/2 bath villa with a complete kitchen.

We stayed in the Ragged Island honeymoon villa , complete with a jacuzzi. Embrace Resort’s grand opening is scheduled for 2017 and will consist of 7 villas, a pool, a meeting room, a restaurant, a spa, and a fitness center. Read TripAdvisor reviews here .

Staniel Cay Yacht Club offers waterfront bungalows, ranging from $185-$460, depending on the season and bungalow chosen. NOTE: Travel during the offseason is, on average, $100 cheaper a night than during the high season. Staniel Cay Yacht Club also offers packages that include three meals a day, bikes, snorkel gear, and kayaks.

High-End Luxury

Staniel Cay rents three villas available as vacation rentals.  Their most expensive villa “Dolce Vita” is a whopping 9,000 square feet, five bedroom suites, oceanfront, pool, full-time caregiver, sleeps 12, all the bells and whistles you could buy for $19,000 a week or $ 3,500-night minimum of 5 nights.

The “Farniente” villa has 6,000 square feet of decking surrounding a pool, hot tub, outdoor living rooms, sun decks, and beach access. Inside the  5,000 square feet, the villa has four bedroom suites, sleeps 8, and is available for $14,900 a week or $2,800 night minimum of 5 nights.

The “Lazy Bay” villa is located in the center of the island, but alongside an ocean-access creek and only a short walk away from the ocean beaches. The Lazy Bay is 1,200 square feet, with one bedroom, two baths, and a wraparound deck for $2,500 a wee k or $400 night minimum of 5 nights.

How Big Is Staniel Cay and How To Get Around?

Staniel Cay is small…very small! Staniel Cay is less than a mile square, and there are only 80 full-time residents. You could easily get around on foot, but most locals & tourists bum around in golf carts. You can rent a golf cart by the day $50 or by the week $320 .

Many of the roads are gravel and very rocky, so I don’t think a bike would be very comfortable. I am glad we had a golf cart, as it let us visit all the beaches easily. For the best rates on the island, contact 3N’s and speak with Nikki.

Best Time To Visit Staniel Cay

Is there ever a bad time to visit the Bahamas? I would suggest visiting Staniel Cay, not during high season. The seasons are:

• Off Season: Sept 10-Nov 20
• High Season: Dec 18-Jan 5, March 1-August 1
• Season: Jan 6-Feb 11, Feb 16-Feb 29, August 2- Sept 9
• Mid Season: Nov 20-Dec 18, Feb 12-15

Visiting during the off-season will yield lower rates on accommodation, fewer tourists, and most likely a private beach all to yourself.

Staniel Cay Weather

The weather in Staniel Cay is near perfect year-round, with an average high of 77-86 degrees Fahrenheit. The coolest month is February, with average lows of 65 and average highs of 77, and the hottest month is July-September, with average highs of being 86.

The wettest month is October, with an average of 12 rainfall days. December- July has an average of 6 rainfall days a year. Water temperatures are great year-round at 70-80 degrees.

We visited in mid-November, and we had one full day of rain, and the other six days, it rained for small periods throughout the day.

Best Beaches On Staniel Cay

There are four main beaches on Staniel Cay that can all be reached on foot. For a few of them, you will have to park the golf cart to get to them.

The most accessible beach to access in Staniel Cay is Town Beach. If you are staying at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club, you will be either right on Town Beach or right next to it.

Town Beach is between Staniel Cay Yacht Club and Taste & Sea Restaurant, right on Kings Cross Highway. This beach is a great place to come and watch the sunset before heading out to dinner.

Pirate Trap Beach 

Our personal favorite beach on Staniel Cay is Pirate Beach. Pirate Beach is accessible only on foot. You’ll have to park your golf cart up at the top and walk down.

Bring sandals, as you must walk on rocks/coral to access this beach. Also, be prepared for the rocks to be covered depending on the tide. We basically had the beach to ourselves every day on our trip to Stanley Cay.

Ho Tai Cay Beach

Hoi Tai Cay beach was the most difficult for us to locate due to the road being washed out. When we visited Staniel Cay, the airport was under construction, and rains had washed out the road to Hoi Tai Cay beach, so we had to park our golf cart next to the airstrip and walk.

Hoi Tai Cay Beach doesn’t have a ton of dry sand, but like all the other beaches on Staniel Cay, it’s gorgeous. Definitely worth finding when spending a week on Staniel Cay.

South Beach

Looking for a sandy beach on Staniel Cay, head to South Beach. We never saw anyone else here. If you are at Hoi Tai Caty Beach, follow the trail a little further, and you will end up at South Beach.

Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach isn’t a beach for swimming due to the number of rocks and the size of the waves. There were a few signs to Ocean Beach, but the road was washed out due to rain, so we had to abandon the golf cart and walk. I’d suggest coming here for sunrise in the mornings.

Restaurants On Staniel Cay

When it comes to dining in Staniel Cay, there aren’t many options. There are only three restaurants on Staniel Cay, and all are within 3 minutes from each other.

Staniel Cay Yacht Club

The most popular restaurant on Staniel Cay has to be the Staniel Cay Yacht Club . They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner 7 days a week.  Breakfast is from 8 am-10 am, with breakfast plates ranging from $12-14. The lunch menu is offered at noon-9p.m. and offers salads, sandwiches, and catch of the day.

Adam loved their conch po’boy sandwich (pictured above) for $14 served with fries, and I typically went with the hamburger with fries for $12. Dinner is served Bahamian style, reservations are required, and your order must be placed before 3:30 pm that day. Depending on the season, they will have 1-2 dinner seatings. When I visited in November, they had one at 7 pm.

Read TripAdvisor Reviews Here

Dinner entrees range from $23-42, and all include soup, salad, and dessert. Beverages are $3 soda, $4 beer, $10 daiquiri. NOTE: 7.5% VAT and 15% Gratuity is added to all bills at Staniel Cay Yacht Club.

Taste & Sea Restaurant

One cook, one line, good food takes time… that’s the slogan at Taste & Sea. This is a true Bahamas joint. We ate here every day for lunch. All the local construction workers came in for lunch, and they were a loud, hungry group!

If you plan on eating at Taste & Sea, you need to make sure to get there early in the day, as they tend to run out of food often. They are open for lunch Monday-Friday 11:30 am-1:30 pm, and Dinner Tuesday-Sunday.

We typically got their cheeseburger or chicken burger with fries, and all were good. Prices are reasonable, and there are no additional taxes and fees like at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club.

Big Dogs Bar

Big Dogs is right across the street from Taste & Sea. We never eat here. We did, however, stop in for one beer. Note I said one beer. Well, one beer turned into two, and two beers turned into five. We had a blast chatting with the owner and the other bar patrons.

There is no official menu at Big Dogs, we stopped in on a Friday night, and they were serving traditional Bahamian “souce.” A local favorite, Souce, is a soup/step made with chicken, onion, pepper, carrots, potatoes, allspice, and some other secret tasty spices.

Grocery Stores On Staniel Cay

I wouldn’t call these grocery stores per se. They are more like mom and pop mini-stores. There are three mini-stores on the island: Pink Pearls, General Isles, and The Blue Store. Make sure to do all your shopping during the week and always before 5:30 pm as we found hardly anything was open on Sundays or during the evenings.

Pink Pearl was our go-to lady, if she wasn’t open, she would open for us. Her prices were the best we saw on the island. Super friendly lady, and happy to see us come daily. A can of Coke is $1, a gallon of water $2.98, a Snickers bar is $1.50, and a can of local beer is $4.

Day Trips from Staniel Cay

Get out and explore the nearby gorgeous islands. Either rent a boat and explore on your own or have a local guide/expert bring you to the best of the best!

Swimming With The Pigs

The highlight of our stay and one of the main reasons we came to Staniel Cay was to swim with the pigs on the neighboring island.

A short boat ride landed us on to a beach where the only inhabitants walked on four legs and had funny noses. Our arrival woke up the pigs from their afternoon naps in the sand.

A group of them came to greet us, sticking their snouts over the sides of the boat. With GoPros in hand, we hit the water. The big male of the group was the most adventurous, swimming out past where his short legs would keep his head above the water.

We had fun splashing and running around the crystal-clear water with the pigs. It’s not every day that you get to play with pigs in the Bahamas!

Make sure to bring some snacks, as these are some hungry pigs. WARNING:  the pigs aren’t the biggest fans of selfies…One of the pigs snipped at me, so be careful.

Make the pigs work for the food. We brought the food out in the ocean, getting them to come out and swim with us. We were fortunate to have Pig Island to ourselves, just us and some fat lazy pigs!

Thunderball Grotto

Just off of Staniel Cay lies Thunderball Grotto, an underwater cave system. The grotto got its name back in 1965 from the James Bond movie “Thunderball” which was shot here. Several movies since have been shot here.

Hire a boat to bring you out to Thunderball Grotto at low tide, as this is the only time snorkelers can get into the cave. Entering at high tide is possible with diving equipment. Thunderball Grottos is a popular spot for underwater cave diving, but diving is not required to have an amazing time. Expect to see exotic marine life, bright coral reefs, yellowtail snappers, angelfish, and much much more.

Our hotel, Embrace Resort, arranged a boat with a local guide, Cliff to take us.  Cliff’s current rates per person as of October 2015 are: $35 Pig Island only, and $75 Compass Cay swim with sharks, Thunderball Grotto, Iguanas on the beach, and swim with the pigs on Pig Island. Just ask for Cliff. Everyone on Staniel Cay will know him.

Staniel Cay Plane Wreck

It is said to be one of the most accessible plane wrecks in the world and sits just off the shore of Staniel Cay. In just 6 feet of water lies the remains of a small plane. Just a short boat ride from the Staniel Cay Yacht Club pier or even closer to the Happy People Marina and Government docks.

Are There ATMs Or Banks On Staniel Cay?

There are no ATMs or even a bank on Staniel Cay. Make sure to bring more than enough spending cash to the island. Credit cards are accepted, but expect to pay a 5% fee.

If you’re coming from the United States, the USD is used widely. As the exchange rate is fixed $1 is 1 Bahamas dollar, and often, your change will be half Bahamas currency and half USD.

Average Daily Spending On Staniel Cay

Staniel Cay is not a budget destination. Don’t leave home without your wallet. Expect to pay: $30-34 for breakfast for 2 with coffee at Staniel Cay Yacht Club, $25 for lunch at Taste & Sea for two people with a soda, and  $60-120 for two people to have a formal dinner and a drink at Staniel Cay Yacht Club.

If you stay at Staniel Cay Yacht Club, which offers a meal package, this can be savings depending on the person. I’d suggest bringing $150 a day for two people , as you can always use your credit card at Staniel Yacht Club, but there is a service charge for doing so.

We spent an amazing week exploring Staniel Cay and can see why people come back year after year. By the end of our week on Staniel Cay, the locals recognized and already knew our names. I could really get used to island life.  Have you been to Staniel Cay? Share some of your tips below so I can add them to the complete Staniel Cay guide. 

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Staniel Cay, Exuma Cays, Bahamas, Staniel Cay, 00001

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A true Bahamian haven, this property occupies its own eponymous island. You can get there by private or charter plane or boat. Fourteen charming bungalows can sleep up to four. One, Coral Villa, has a full kitchen, three bedrooms, and a grill.

Rent the units on a lodging-only basis or as part of a package that includes meals and use of a skiff, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, and bicycles. Its restaurant and bar are congenial places to socialize and enjoy Bahamian and American cuisine. This is a good fit for families who love the water, fishing, and other water sports. You’ll also find a party atmosphere come evening. The full-service marina accommodates boats up to 185 feet with drafts of up to 12 feet.

Our Editor Loves

• Swimming pool
• Water sports

Family Interests

• Water Sports

Family Amenities

by stephenjo128

One of the two restaurants on Staniel which offers fine dining and a quick bite. The main dining room is air conditioned and offers beautiful views of the bay side of the island. Breakfast and lunch didn’t require a reservation but dinner does. You’ll have to go to the bar and actually look at the dinner menu since they require your food order with the reservation. Try to get a dinner reservation with the sunset. Truly beautiful.

The food is moderately priced for the Bahamas. Breakfast will run around $15 and includes fresh fruit and bread. Lunch is about the same price and served in both dining areas. The other dining is behind the bar and doesn’t have air conditioning but there is a breeze and fans. Note, this is the only open area without dinner reservations.

For breakfast I recommend the Tuna and grits, a Bahamian Favorite. The French toast was also very good! For lunch and dinner, the fresh fish is a great choice. It was Mahi when I was there. The nice thing about dinning the dinning room is breakfast is served with fresh fruit and dinner comes with desert and salad included.

by sakNewAuburn_WI

Oh, and don't let them tie your boat up, they make no allowance for tides!! The Exumas are wonderful for water clarity (not here where people at the dock dump their holding tanks and engine bilges). I well appreciate how laid back things are, but not when the put my boat at risk by simply not caring...

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Staniel Cay Is Home To This Hidden Gem Of A Resort

The Exuma Cay Archipelago has so many destinations to choose from but here is one that travelers should be sure not to miss.

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What to know about visiting staniel cay, where it is, how to get there, staniel cay is known for the staniel cay yacht club, its premiere resort.

The Exuma Cay Archipelago has so many destinations to choose from but here is one that travelers should be sure not to miss. Staniel Cay, located right in the middle of Exuma is not only conveniently located but also the home of the accommodating Staniel Cay Yacht Club.

Visiting Staniel Cay is an excellent way to soak up the sun on stunning white-sand beaches, take a dive beneath the waves, and experience the sights that influenced two Bond movies. Don’t miss out on Staniel Cay.

Staniel Cay is small, but it is inhabited on the western side by a Bahamian village. The population of this town is quite small, but they do have the commodities of a post office, police station, library, three small retail and marine supply shops, and a church. This Cay is a protected location for being a place of historical interest and natural beauty. The Bahamas National Trust manages the Cay and helps to protect it.

Staniel Cay was settled at about the same time as the entirety of the archipelago of Exuma was settled in 1783. The island of Staniel Cay would grow in popularity with the establishment of the Staniel Cay Yacht Club in 1956. The club was founded by Bob Chamberlain and Joe Hocher.

Businesses began to pop up throughout the Cay to organize activities for and to accommodate the visitors that the yacht club began to bring to the island.

The stunning aesthetic of Staniel Cay would catch the attention of Hollywood with movies such as 1965’s Bond film, Thunderball, which would be shot in the since named Thunderball Grotto. This limestone cave would be used as one of the settings for the film. Bond would eventually return to Staniel Cay in 1983 for the film Never Say Never Again.

• Size - 2 square miles
• Settled - 1783
• Hollywood - James Bond (Thunderball and Never Say Never Again)

Related: Why A Vacationer Traveling To The Bahamas Might Choose Exuma Over Nassau

Staniel Cay is about 120 km (75 miles) south of Nassau and 400 km (250 miles) southeast of Florida. The island is home to very few full-year residents, with just 118 calling the five square kilometers (2 square miles) island home.

Staniel Cay is conveniently located at about the center of Exuma making it a great home base for visiting the surrounding area. Big Major Cat and Bitter Guana Cay surround Staniel Cay, however, Staniel Cay is still one of the larger islands in Exuma. The Island, like much of Exuma Cay, consists of stunning white sand beaches, tropical vegetation, and an abundance of coral reefs off the shore.

Travelers can reach the island by boat and is a common destination for those traveling by yacht. The Copasetic Villa offers 120-foot and 50-foot dock rentals. There are also ferry options from Nassau, though the trip can be expected to take over five hours.

The island’s airport reopened in 2015 once again allowing for access by air. There ate scheduled flights, charter airplanes, and private planes that make use of the island's 3,000-foot airstrip. Daily flights arrive and depart from Fort Lauderdale and Nassau.

Related: Nassau Vs Exuma Islands: 20 Reasons To Choose One Bahamas Destination Over The Other

Staniel Cay Yacht Club (SCYC) offers travelers exquisite bungalow accommodations, as well as a marina with the full array of expected services and amenities for their bout and yacht visitors. The location of Staniel Cy and the SCYC makes it the premier destination for those traveling by Yacht as they will have easy access to the entirety of Exuma Cay. Even travelers lacking yachts can enjoy the accommodations of SCYC and the beauty of the waters around the island.

Travelers visiting the island will be welcomed with a variety of activities for passing their day. There are snorkeling, Kayaking, and paddleboarding options available and for travelers looking for something specific the staff of SCYC will be able to help them find what they are looking for. They will be able to set travelers up with private island retreats as well as charter yachts to take advantage of.

• Contact - (954) 467-6658

Beaches / Sandbarring

Travelers should obviously take advantage of the beaches during their time at Staniel Cay. A popular activity at Staniel Cay is Sandbarring essentially just lounging on a sandbar while enjoying lunch and perhaps a beverage. It is important for travelers to remember when high tide arrives though, so they can make sure to be off the sandbar in time!

Visit Nearby Cays

Being located so conveniently in the middle of Exuma, it is a great idea for travelers to take advantage of the other nearby Cays and what they have to offer. Here are the surrounding Cays and destinations to check out.

• Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park - the world’s first land and sea park
• Thunderball Grotto - Site for filming the 1965 James Bond film
• Big Major’s Spot (Pig Beach) - Bring a treat for the swimming pigs
• Compass Cay - Famous for its nurse shark and human interactions
• Allan’s Cay - See the critically endangered Northern Bahamian Rock Iguanas
• Elbo Cay - The 200-year-old Elbow Reef Lighthouse is a historic feature

Staniel Cay Yacht Club

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• Excellent 394
• Very Good 96
• Terrible 12
• All languages ( 526 )
• English ( 498 )
• French ( 7 )
• German ( 6 )

" This resort is best for long weekend trips as opposed to week long trips. "

" Check your bil. Check your gill. Check your bill. "

" Look in the r gift shop for the stuffed piggies for the kids! "

" Be careful how many sips you have, they are potent "

" The colored cottages have unobstructed sunsets from their porches. "

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

Staniel Cay Yacht Club - UPDATED 2024 Reviews & Photos

Staniel Cay

• 1 Understand
• 3 Get around
• 11 Stay safe

Staniel Cay is a small island in the Exuma chain of islands of the Bahamas and is within the Commonwealth of the Bahamas . It is the main transportation and tourism hub for the northern stretch of the Exuma islands.

Understand [ edit ]

There are 365 islands in the Exuma chain, with Staniel Cay in the centre of a chain of small islands stretching 100 miles southeast of Nassau . They are flanked by Exuma Sound to the east with deep water reefs. The cay is less than a mile square and it is the home to about eighty full-time residents. Although Staniel Cay is small, it has the basic needs a tourist might need. It has a church, library, post office, three small retail stores and marine supply store. There are many different beaches to be enjoyed on the island. If you are seeking solitude then the rule is; if someone is already occupying a beach, then just go to the next one.

Staniel Cay is protected by the Bahamas National Trust [1] so it is required for tourist to stop by the main entrance of the island and not go off exploring on their own, unless they have been staying on the island.

Get in [ edit ]

Getting to Staniel Cay is easy. Visitors to the island arrive by both sea and air. If arriving by air many visitors have departed from either Fort Lauderdale or Nassau.

The airport is served by several airlines.

• Dove Wings , ☏ +1-242-359-1491 .  
• Flamingo Air , ☏ +1-242-377-0364 .  
• Golden Wings Charter , ☏ +1-242-377-0039 .  
• LeAir Charter , ☏ +1-242-377-2356 .  
• Take Flight Air Charters , ☏ +1-242-362-1877 .  

Get around [ edit ]

Since the island is very small, it is very easy to get around whether is by foot or by golf cart which can be rented on the island. However, most of the major sightseeing destinations are on other nearby islands, so you will need to hire a tour or charter a boat to get to them.

See [ edit ]

Staniel Cay its known for the Thunderball Grotto. The Thunderball Grotto is one of the most outstanding snorkeling attractions in the Bahamas. It is also known for being the locations of movies such as Thunderball, Never Say Never Again and Splash. You can only get to it by boat, and have to swim to get inside. For more on Thunderball Grotto and other tourist destinations around Staniel Cay, see the Exuma article.

Do [ edit ]

Staniel Cay’s main focus is to make sure every person that visits the island leaves wanting to stay much longer. When it comes to recreation and activities all water activities are encouraged. Whalers, snorkeling, and kayaks rides are always on a “weather permitting” basis. Unfortunately, once equipment has been rented, no refunds are given due to weather conditions.

Staniel Cay offers a variety of activities for everyone. Besides its different beaches, the island offers scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, boating, fishing, golf carts and more.

• Many tourists enjoy the Thunderball Grotto for its “natural fishbowl” once the tide is low, many get to experience the beautiful corals and amazing sea life.
• Staniel Cays marine also offers a renovated marina, fuel, electricity, fresh water, ice, bait and a dock to accommodate boats and yachts.
• Staniel Cay also provides nightly entertainment through their local band who have been playing for several years.
• Staniel Cay holds church services during the week and a Sunday service which is very popular among the locals, who religiously attend.

Buy [ edit ]

Eat [ edit ].

Staniel Cay provides visitors with a choice of three restaurants, the Yacht club, Thunderball and the Happy People restaurant.

• Staniel Cay Yacht Club . Breakfast, lunch and dinner is served in the yacht club everyday, a combination of Bahamian and Continental Cuisine. It also has a bar. Located inside the yacht club, great service and a great time to meet people and enjoy every second on the island.  

Drink [ edit ]

• Big Dogs , ☏ +1 242-355-2111 . Here you can have a drink and swap stories. ( updated Feb 2021 )

Sleep [ edit ]

On Staniel Cay specific extra charges may be applied to the base accommodation rates. A 6% Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board levy is charged as well as ten percent Ministry of Tourism Hotel Tax and a 5% housekeeping gratuity.

• The Staniel Cay Yacht Club ( The Cottages ). 9 cottages with a water and sunset views. It also offers an eighteen-slip marina, a 3000 ft airstrip. The restaurant and island bar have been named by Jimmy Buffet as one of the “Ten Great Places for a Waterside Drink”. All cottages include appliances such as air conditioning, a coffeemaker and a refrigerator inside. They do not provide any cooking facilities. The cottages do not have individual telephones or television, but phone, fax, TV and internet service are available at the club house, located in the Yacht Club. Smoking is not permitted inside the cottages. Pets are also not permitted. The Staniel Cay Yacht Club has been part of the island since 1956.  

Connect [ edit ]

Stay safe [ edit ].

Staniel Cay is protected by Bahamas National Trust, it is prohibited to touch, hurt, or eat any creatures or other wild life.

Go next [ edit ]

Boating trips to Pig Island as well as Lizard island are offered or travelers are able to rent boats and go explore on their own. Both islands are located adjacent to Staniel Cay. The left over food from the restaurants at Staniel Cay is saved and used to feed the pigs at Pig Island.

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Snag-A-Slip Booking

Staniel Cay Yacht Club

+1 (242) 355-2024

[email protected]

http://www.stanielcay.com

Monitored: 16

Staniel Cay, Exuma Cays, BAH | N 24° 10.350' / W 076° 26.750'

Staniel Cay, Exuma Cays, BAH

• Website (2)

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Marina Login

Contact Request

Your request has been sent to the dockmaster at Staniel Cay Yacht Club

View All Reviews

John Morfit

Vessel Type: Sail LOA: 47' Draft: 4.0''

Eric Ramsey

Vessel Type: Sail LOA: 39' Draft: 4.0''

James Waters

Vessel Type: Power LOA: 60' Draft: 4.0''

Vessel Type: Power LOA: 55' Draft: 4.5''

Douglas Way

Vessel Type: Power LOA: 44' Draft: 3.5''

Call ahead to confirm as prices are always subject to change.

Under 100': $2.50/ft, Over 100': $3.00/ft

Moorings Offered

Yes, 21 moorings

Payment Methods

VISA / MasterCard / Discover / CASH

Staniel Cay is located approximately 75 miles Southeast of Nassau and 50 miles Northwest of Georgetown. The approaches from both the banks (West) and The Exuma Sound (East) are relatively straightforward. However, we strongly recommend a good, recent chart for first-time visitors.

Approach / Dockside Depth

6.0 / 12.0 ft.

Largest Vessel

Total Slips

Transient Slips

SCYC is a boutique hotel and full-service marina. Our marina offers fuel (independent fuel-dock with high-speed pumps), electricity (single and three-phase), fresh water, ice, bait, liquor, WiFi, etc.A We have 18 secure slips that accommodate skiffs to mega-yachts.A Even at low tide the dock can accommodate drafts up to 12 feet and yachts up to 185 feet. We also have 13 intimate bungalows, one beautiful 3-bedroom villa, a renowned restaurant, and a casual, friendly bar. We have received the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence consecutively from 2010-2017. With a 3000' airstrip on the island, twice-daily flight service makes guest transport, crew change, provisioning, and parts delivery convenient and easy.A

Diesel Price

$5.650, tax not included

Metered Electric

Dockside Water

Dockside Phone

Dockside Cable

Dockside WiFi

Internet Access

Pet Friendly

Liquor store

Marine Store

Post Office

Noteworthy:

Swimming Pigs (yes, really), Thunderball Grotto (incredible snorkeling in a hollow island - filmed in James Bond's Thunderball), beautiful, intimate beaches, small Bahamian Village and shops, and friendly people - visitors and locals alike!

For special offers at SCYC, click here and look in the Promotions & Packages column. For upcoming events at SCYC, click here.

Staniel Cay Yacht Club can be contacted at: Phone: (242) 355-2024 Email: [email protected] VHF: 16 We normally have transient slips available, but please contact the marina the day before or early the day of arrival to secure a slip.

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Is golf catching on in Russia? Jack Nicklaus’s designers have certainly been busy there

Golf is played in more than 200 countries and territories around the world, but until fairly recently, Russia wasn’t one of them.

Its introduction to the game came just 30 years ago with the opening of the country’s first course, Moscow City Golf Club, a nine-hole layout on the fringes of the capital.

At the time, Russia was still part of the Soviet Union. But while the Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, gave his blessing to the project, the real driving force was the Swedish golf star, Sven “Tumba” Johansson, who announced his plans to build the course while floating on a boat down the Moscow River, whacking golf balls into the water under the bemused watch of party apparatchiks.

As if that weren’t entertainment enough, there was the club’s groundbreaking ceremony, in late 1987, where the motley assortment of celebrities in attendance (Mike Tyson, Sean Connery and Pele, among them) solidified golf’s status in the country as a little more than a curiosity.

That was then, this is now.

In the world’s ninth most populous country there are more than a dozen 18-hole courses, a handful of nine-hole layouts and myriad projects in the works.

The most recent to be completed is Raevo Golf and Country Club, outside Moscow, a Jack Nicklaus Signature design that opened earlier this month.

Nicklaus Signature courses are relative rarities that come at a cost and carry prestige, but Raevo is not the first in the Moscow area. It’s the third, giving the city and its surrounds a greater concentration of Nicklaus Signature courses than any major capital in the world.

This depth charge of Russian golf course development has been propelled in large part by economic shifts that have generated great reservoirs of private wealth. But the boom has also happened in the face of an inconvenient fact: Russia is not an easy place to grow the game.

Aside from having next to nothing in the way of golf tradition, the country enjoys little in the way of a golf season. Winters are long. Summers are short. Turf can have a tough time taking root. If you’re itching to play on a Moscow getaway, you should aim between mid-May and mid-October.

Throw in rocky, clay-based soil — far from the friendliest for course construction — and you understand why Russian sporting culture features more slap-shots on ice than chip shots around the green.

Yet golf progresses.

Over the past decade-plus, Dirk Bouts, a design associate with Nicklaus Design, has made about 80 trips to Russia, spending long stretches on the ground consulting on course renovations and overseeing new construction. During Bouts’s early visits, the majority of golfers he crossed paths with were expats. In more recent years, that demographic breakdown has turned on its head.

“The first time I went, golf’s presence was pretty much non-existent,” Bouts says. “But you see it taking root. It’s becoming more democratic. You have people making a decent visit. Now, it seems like every time I go back, there are more Russians out on the course.”

Just as picking up the game involves a learning curve, so does building courses in a fledgling golf market. The first Nicklaus Signature course in Russia was Tseleevo Golf and Polo Club, which opened in 2008 outside Moscow after a drawn-out five years of construction — a process prolonged by inexperienced Russian contractors working challenging terrain with outmoded equipment.

By 2014, though, when it came time to cut the ribbon on Skolkovo, the second Nicklaus Signature design outside the capital, the work crews were more seasoned, the equipment upgraded and the entire process streamlined. The job took four years. It’s since gotten more efficient. The start-to-finish work on Raevo was a comparatively scant three years.

The resulting course is a sylvan beauty that spills through a woodsy landscape, west of the capital, with natural creeks and lakes as ornamentation, and gentle hills and valleys that lend plenty of movement. Stretched to the tips, the course plays 7,245 yards, plenty of heft to handle tournaments. The turf is creeping bentgrass, and the sand-capping and extensive drainage beneath it is designed to stretch the golf season to its fullest.

“Instead of mid-May to mid-October,” Bouts says, “we’re hoping for something more like mid-April to end of October.”

This month marked a soft opening for Raevo, as the clubhouse is not yet completed. When the grand opening takes place, celebrities will no doubt be in attendance, Nicklaus among them.

Don’t expect Mike Tyson.

Golf in Russia has gotten serious.

1661 NE 4th Street

Bend, or 97701, open sun- thurs  11am-9 pm fri & sat  11am-10pm  , mtyc is well-mannered  dog friendly   .

Welcome to Midtown Yacht Club

But where are the boats?

Fortunately we aren’t that kind of yacht club.  

You won’t find any stuffy dinner jackets or snobby members at this club.  

Come by Midtown Yacht Club and enjoy a cold beer and great food cart snacks for a reasonable price.  You’ll find good people and no hassle with a relaxed vibe.  We don’t have a dock to moor your boat, but you won’t need a membership and we aren’t fussy around here.