The Green Turtle Cay: Rebuilding And Resilience

Green Turtle Cay is a small island off the coast of Great Abaco, in the Bahamas. It is known for its beaches and turquoise waters, which attract tourists and provide ideal conditions for lobstering, the island's main industry. The island's only settlement, New Plymouth, was founded in the 18th century and has retained its original architecture, with steep-pitched roofs and clapboard houses. New Plymouth is also home to several restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as a museum featuring the works of noted Bahamian artists. In recent years, Green Turtle Cay has faced challenges, including the impact of Hurricane Dorian in 2019, but it remains a popular destination for those seeking a quiet, idyllic island escape.

What is Green Turtle Cay known for?

Green Turtle Cay is a tiny island located in the Abaco archipelago of the Bahamas. It is known for its lush, tropical beauty and turquoise waters. The island is considered part of the "`Abaco Out Islands'" and is 3 miles (4.8 km) long and half a mile wide. It was named after the once-abundant green turtles that inhabited the area.

The island's history is fascinating and has shaped its unique cultural landscape, a mix of Bahamian, British, and Loyalist influences. The early history of the island can be traced back to the Lucayan people, a branch of the Taino community who inhabited the island before the arrival of European explorers. The modern history of Green Turtle Cay is tied to the American Loyalists who fled to the island during the American Revolution in the late 18th century. They brought their slaves, building and agricultural techniques, and shipbuilding traditions, which led to a thriving local economy.

Today, Green Turtle Cay is known for its beaches and full-service hotel resorts with boat marinas, such as Bluff House and the Green Turtle Club. It is a popular destination for tourists seeking a blend of history, natural beauty, and modern amenities. The island's main industries are lobstering and tourism.

Some popular attractions on Green Turtle Cay include Miss Emily's Blue Bee Bar and The Treasure Chest Gift Shop & Souvenirs. The island also boasts historic sites and festivals, such as the Island Roots Heritage Festival, which celebrate its unique past. New Plymouth, the main settlement on the island, features unique architecture and the Loyalist Memorial Sculpture Garden, a Bahamian National Monument honouring prominent Bahamians.

How is Green Turtle Cay accessed?

Green Turtle Cay is one of the barrier islands off mainland Great Abaco, in the Bahamas. It can only be reached via ferry or boat from the mainland. There is no airport on the island. The ferry, called the "BOLO", runs from anywhere on the island to a dock on the mainland, serving the airport at Treasure Cay. From there, there are connecting commuter flights to Miami, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Nassau.

The island's main settlement, New Plymouth, can be easily accessed from the roadstead anchorage near-shore, or from the marina/moorings in Black Sound. The island is 3 miles long and 0.5 miles wide, and can be walked across in under 15 minutes. While cars are allowed, golf carts and bicycles are the usual mode of transport and can be easily rented.

The island is a popular destination wedding venue and is known for its beaches and full-service hotel resorts with boat marinas. It is also a stopover point for southbound vessels during rough seas in the Whale Cay Passage.

What is there to do in Green Turtle Cay?

Green Turtle Cay is a small island off the east coast of Great Abaco, in the Bahamas. With its uneven coastline, deep bays, secluded inlets and beaches, there is plenty to explore.

One of the most popular activities is snorkelling. The water is relatively shallow, and the coral gardens are teeming with colourful sea life. The beaches also offer some of the finest shells in the Bahamas, and there are often deserted islands to explore, such as Fiddle Cay to the north, and No Name Cay and Pelican Cay to the south.

New Plymouth, at the southern tip of the island, is an 18th-century settlement with the feel of an old New England sailing port. Clapboard houses with pretty trimmings line the narrow streets. The Albert Lowe Museum is also located here, where you can browse the exhibits and view beautifully crafted model ships and artworks.

For dining, Miss Emily's Blue Bee Bar is a popular choice, serving up Goombay Smash, the national drink of the Bahamas. There is also the Green Turtle Club and Marina, which offers freshly caught Abaco seafood with a new menu nightly, and Pineapples Bar and Grill, which serves Caribbean and seafood dishes.

There are several resorts on the island, including the Bluff House Beach Resort and Marina, which has its own private beach, and the Green Turtle Club and Marina, which is the only resort within walking distance of the beaches on the Atlantic side of the Cay. Boat and golf cart rentals are available, and fishing and scuba diving are also popular activities.

What is the history of Green Turtle Cay?

Green Turtle Cay is a tiny island located in the Abaco archipelago of the Bahamas. It is one of the barrier islands off mainland Great Abaco and can only be reached by ferry or boat. The island is 3 miles long and half a mile wide. It was named after the once abundant green turtles that inhabited the area.

The early history of Green Turtle Cay dates back to the era of the Lucayan people, a branch of the Taino community, who inhabited the islands before the arrival of European explorers. The peaceful existence of these native communities, who were fishermen, farmers, and traders, was disrupted by the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the late 15th century, which led to their enslavement and eventual extinction due to diseases and harsh conditions.

In the late 18th century, American Loyalists—those who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution—started to settle in the Bahamas, including Green Turtle Cay. They fled the newly independent United States and brought their slaves, building, and agricultural techniques. This led to a boom in the local economy, particularly in cotton and pineapple cultivation. The Loyalist influence can be seen in the unique architecture of the older homes in New Plymouth, the main settlement of Green Turtle Cay, which was founded in the 18th century.

The Loyalists also introduced shipbuilding, which became one of the primary industries of Green Turtle Cay. The island's natural harbors were ideal for constructing and maintaining boats, and the island gained a reputation for its skilled shipwrights. Other important activities included fishing, sponging, and later, smuggling during the Prohibition era in the United States.

In the late 20th century, Green Turtle Cay's economy shifted from agriculture and maritime industries to tourism. Today, the island is a sought-after destination, offering visitors its rich history, beaches, and natural beauty. Conservation efforts have also become a focus, with various marine reserves and environmental projects aimed at preserving the unique ecosystems surrounding the island.

What is the population of Green Turtle Cay?

Green Turtle Cay is a tiny island located in the Abaco archipelago of the Bahamas. It is one of the barrier islands off mainland Great Abaco and can only be reached by ferry or boat as there is no airport on the island. The population of Green Turtle Cay is approximately 450 people, with the main settlement being New Plymouth, founded in the 18th century. The village can be walked through in less than 15 minutes, and while cars are allowed, golf carts and bicycles are the usual mode of transport. The architecture of the older homes in New Plymouth is unique in the Bahamas, with steep-pitched roofs originating with settlers from New England.

The island was named after the once-abundant green turtles that inhabited the area. In 1977, Key West, Florida became a sister city to New Plymouth. New Plymouth features a Loyalist Memorial Sculpture Garden, a Bahamian National Monument with 24 busts of prominent Bahamians and a central pair of life-sized bronze figures of loyalist women, sculpted by James Mastin.

The population of Green Turtle Cay reflects a mix of cultural influences, including roots in Britain, Africa, and the Bahamas itself. The island's modern history can be traced back to the 18th century when American Loyalists, those who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution, settled in the Bahamas. These Loyalists brought their slaves and introduced their building and agricultural techniques, leading to a boom in the local economy.

Lobstering and tourism are the main industries of Green Turtle Cay today. The island is known for its beaches and full-service hotel resorts with boat marinas, such as Bluff House and the Green Turtle Club. Conservation efforts have also become a focus in recent years, with various marine reserves and environmental projects aimed at preserving the unique ecosystems surrounding the island.

Frequently asked questions