Bahamas Overview

Owning a second home in the Caribbean is fast becoming one of the hottest destinations in the world. The archipelago of some 700 islands and cays of the Bahamas offers crystal clear blue water, pearly white beaches and some of the best fishing and diving spots on our planet. Less than 100 miles off the coast of Florida, a few hours by ship or twenty minutes by plane, the Bahamas serves as the perfect location to build your second home, and under new legislation it’s easy for foreigners to become permanent Bahamian residents.

Abaco - Abaco is not an island, but a chain of islands from Walker's Cay in the north to Hole-In-The-Wall to the south. Located 75 miles directly north of Nassau and 200 miles east of Florida, this arc-shaped configuration creates naturally protected waters so well-known among fisherman and yachtsmen that Abaco is often referred to as the Sailing Capital of the World. Once you are here, you will never have to go far to find excellent marinas, guides and boats for hire, with or without crew, a yachting centre with all the modern conveniences, from supermarkets to banks to fine restaurants. Walking around Hope Town, with its candy-striped lighthouse, small wooden cottages and white picket fences you will find it hard to believe people once made a living by salvaging wrecked ships. Visit the Wyannie Malone Historical Museum if you are a history buff and enjoy a blast from the past.

Nearby Man-O-War Cay that has always depended on shipbuilding for its livelihood you will find that some boats are still handmade without plans, in a tradition that has been passed down for centuries. The tidy settlement here is akin to New England, known for the palm trees and tropical breezes, and prides itself as much on what it has as what it does not have.

Farther north, you will find a colonial fishing village on Green Turtle Cay, New Plymouth. Here, the salt-box houses are brightly painted and people are proud of their heritage. The Albert Lowe Museum, in cheerful green and white clapboard, traces the steps of Loyalists who settled here over 200 years ago. This is not to say that Green Turtle Cay lives only in the past. With fishing tournaments and an annual regatta, the pace is quite energetic.

The same is true of Treasury Cay, where a modern resort boasts an 18-hole championship golf course, tennis courts, a marina, and facilities for fishing, boating, and scuba diving. There are also many excellent condominiums for sale which are very reasonably priced. If you have a love for the beach Treasure Island is superb destination spot.

The secluded Walker's Cay, is always attracting those interested in deep-sea fishing, boating and diving. If you find that this is not secluded enough, sail to one of Abaco's uninhabited cays with nothing but white sand beaches and ultramarine seas to surround you.

At Pelican Cay Land and Sea Park, you will find the underwater preserve that presents a surreal setting for the scuba enthusiast. The Abaco National Park allows visitors to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature at its finest among a wide variety of flora and fauna native to Abaco. You can fly directly to Abaco from the U.S. There are direct flights to both of Abaco's airstrips.

Andros - With the total land mass of 2300 square miles (104 miles long and 40 miles wide), Andros is the largest of all the Bahamian islands. It is only twenty miles from New Providence at its nearest point, yet it has its own character and is viewed by some as one of the most fascinating part of The Bahamas.

Andros is made up of a numerous sizes of islands with hundreds of creeks and rivers, many parts of which have not been explored. There are three large "rivers" dissecting the land mass at South, Middle and North Bights. Mangrove Cay divides the northern and southern parts of Andros at Middle Bight. Traveling on this large river is like being on the Amazon; there are miles and miles of warm tropical water snaking through an abundance of wildlife. Andros is known for its contrasting ecosystems of pine forests, mangrove swamps, blue holes or hidden lakes, long reefs, agricultural properties and miles of flats. Moreover the western side of Andros is completely undeveloped: aside from Red Bay on the northwest corner of the island, there are no other settlements on the west side of Andros. This makes it a paradise for the wild life explorer who may be fortunate enough to spot flamingoes or six foot long iguanas! The eastern shoreline of Andros has many deserted beaches and one coconut grove after another.

In Andros, approximately 400 inland and ocean holes exist. The basic difference between the two are their location. Ocean holes, as the name indicates, are found in the sea, while the inland holes are completely surrounded by land and at the base are separated from the sea.

The reef that runs 145 miles along the length of Andros' east coast, has limiting approaches to only three breaks: Morgan's Bluff to the north, Staniard Rock Passage and South Bight. The reef known as the Great Barrier Reef, as it is the world's third largest coral reef. There are many spectacular dives up and down the eastern seaboard, because the reef has a dramatic drop more than 6,000 feet into the Tongue of the Ocean. There are a great many tricky shoals on the western side of the island, thus almost unapproachable by boat.

Andros has four airports for easy travel by air to any part of the island. The main port of entry for airplanes in the south is the Congo Town airstrip, which is 5,000 feet long and situated between High Rock and Congo Town. In the centre of Andros is a very special island called Mangrove Cay. The people have virtually created for themselves a world apart from Andros. The intricate creek system found around the island has closed off direct communication to North and South Andros. Boats are the most common mode of transportation and it is no surprise that some of the best boat builders are from Mangrove Cay. Little Harbour is the main town there, from which the weekly mail boat or daily airplane can be taken back to Nassau. Andros' most popular summer regatta also takes place there. Nicholl's Town has the largest population on North Andros.

Strewn along the shallows on the eastern coast of Lowe Sound are numerous small fishing boats equipped with out board engines, which are used primarily for lobster and bone fishing. Andros is a heaven for anglers, especially around Lowe Sound, which is sometimes called "the bonefishing capital of the world." There are several excellent places where fish can be found in abundance.

Morgan's Bluff, located next to Lowe Sound, is named after the celebrated pirate Sir. Henry Morgan. Here the water barges Mastic Point, Black Point, and the tanker Minnie Lily load their cargo of freshwater for the people of New Providence.

Discovered by Christopher Columbus, Andros is known as "La Isla del Espirito Santo" or the Island of the Holy Spirit. Maybe that is why there is so much mystery attached to it. Yet it is becoming the island of the future. Known as the "Big Yard", due to its vast landscape and the "Sleeping Giant", because of its low key atmosphere, Andros is a relaxed island awakening to the 21st century in its own distinctive fashion.

Bimini - This tiny group of islands is internationally recognized as one of the finest fishing areas in the world for its abundance of sailfish, tuna, wahoo and other big game fish. In fact, no fewer than 50 world records have been set in these waters, the inspiration for Ernest Hemmingway's Islands In The Stream.

The main gateway is Alice Town, a resort area with bustling yacht harbors, a straw market and casual open-air bars serving plenty of hot conch chowder and icy daiquiris. Many championship tournaments are held here year-round, though anyone who likes may give big game fishing a try by renting a boat with a skipper and a crew who know the waters.

Bimini began as a rendezvous for rum runners and wreckers who plundered ships that ran aground reefs. Today, the wrecks of Spanish galleons make for fascinating dive sites along with the black coral, exotic fish and a mysterious stone formation that some say is the lost continent of Atlantis.

Onshore, there are plenty of interesting sites as well. Blue Marlin Cottage, Hemingway's home from 1935 to 1937 is here along with the hotel where he used to stay. Called the Complete Angler, it's also a popular bar and part museum decorated with photos of the famous author and displays of his writings. When it comes time to rest, there are any number of places to go, from Esther Rolle's for some irresistible fresh baked bread to the End of the World Bar overlooking the harbor. Farther north, away from the bustle of Alice Town are the tranquil settlements of Bailey Town, Porgy Bay and Paradise Point with their beautiful beaches and azure waters.

The Berry Islands - The Berry Islands are a string of about 30 small islands and cays. Located 35 miles due north of Nassau, the entire string of islands accounts for only 12 square miles of ground; and according to the 1990 census, a population of only 634 people. Like the Bimini Islands fishing is the name of the game in the Berry Islands. There are only two resorts here, the Great Harbour Yacht Club in the north and the somewhat more modest Chub Cay Club in the south and they both cater to the demands of the yachting and fishing set.

If relaxation and beaches are more to your liking, then again you have come to the right place. Both resorts have excellent white sand beaches.

The limited area of the islands will restrict your wandering, but if you are looking for a place to live there are several options. If you are looking for your own private island, condominium or private house, there are opportunities to be had near both of the resorts. Several of the islands are owned by the rich and famous, but there are a number of deserted islets and cays as well. You can reach The Berri Islands by way of charter flight from Fr. Lauderdale or Palm Beach, Florida or from Nassau. Or, if you come by private plane, you can arrive on the airstrip at either Chub Cay or Great Harbour Cay.

Cat Island - Once known as San Salvador, Cat Island my be the actual site of Columbus' landing in 1492 (a point hotly disputed by the folks on San Salvador During the American Revolution the island was sparsely settled by American Loyalists. Now, the population is under 2000 people who make their living from subsistence farming, fishing and very limited tourism.

Cat Island can offer the absolute peace and quiet of a vacation or a second residence destination. It is lush and green with rolling hills and the highest point in The Bahamas Mt. Alverna above New Bight climbs to 206 feet. Located 130 miles southwest of Nassau, and over 300 miles from Miami, Cat Island is well off the beaten path. There are three direct flights a week from Nassau to Arthur's Town in the north and to New Bight or the private landing strip at Port Howe to the south. Cat Island is one of the best-kept real estate secrets in The Bahamas. With miles and miles of unspoiled beaches and numerous protected coves, the island is a beautiful place to live. As well, the lot prices are among the lowest in the country. There are no banks and few telephones on Cat Island. Except for the very limited facilities offered by Arthur's Town, most of what development there is exists around the island's three resorts, Fernandez Bay Village and the Bridge Inn near New Bight and the Greenwood Inn near the neat little town of Port Howe in the south. There are medical clinics at Arthur's Town, Smith's Bay, and Old Bight. The island's one resident doctor lives at Smith's Bay north of New Bight.

If you are looking for an absolutely laid-back destination Cat Island's may be just right for you. World class fishing can be found off the southern tip of the island and there are plenty of dive spots to keep you busy for a long time.

Eleuthera - In 1649, English dissidents in search of religious freedom shipwrecked on the shores of this enchanting island and called it Eleuthera, from the Greek word for Freedom. Located 200 miles from Florida and only 60 miles east of Nassau, Eleuthera is the site of three major annual sailing regattas: South Eleuthera Homecoming and Regatta - in April All Eleuthera Regatta, in Governor's Harbour - first week of August North Eleuthera Regatta - Discovery Day, October 12th These races bring visitors to Eleuthera to watch the fast and exciting events and enjoy onshore activities in a carnival-like atmosphere.

Easily reached, with direct flights from the U.S. to all three airports, Eleuthera is just over a mile wide and 110 miles long. Blessed with pink-white beaches, dramatic cliffs, sheltered coves and a natural bridge; the Glass Window, that divides the pounding

Atlantic and the clear calm Gulf, few areas in the world can rival the natural beauty of this island. A short ferry ride takes you to pastel Cape Cod cottages and palm lined streets. This is Spanish Wells, named for galleons that once replenished their fresh water here. Aside from the sightseeing, the fishing and diving are excellent. There is even an unusual sunken train wreck.

Harbour Island - Harbour Island is also close, a captivating town with homes dating to 1790, The Bahamas' longest established churches, white picket fences, stunning pink beaches and residents who extend a friendly wave to passerby. Homes here begin around $175,000 and rise into the millions. There are properties available with spectacular views of the ocean and the bay. Prime beach front lots are also available. Gregory Town, set atop a cliff is home of the sweet, juicy Bahamian pineapple. To celebrate its pineapple history, Eleuthera has a yearly pineapple festival where you can tour pineapple farms; enjoy craft displays and pineapple recipe contests. Try a glass of Gregory Town Special, fine pineapple rum. During the festival a PINEATHALON is held. Athletes compete in a difficult swim, bike and road race. Nearby, descend into The Cave, where magnificent columns and intricate passageways appear as underground cathedrals. Governor's Harbour is to the south, once a thriving farming community and now a charming Victorian village with homes dating to 1850 and a few of them are for sale. Between Palmetto Point and Tarpum Bay lies Windermere Island, a pristine retreat for the well to do with miles of what many consider to be the best beach in The Bahamas. The only access is over a bridge which is monitored by 24 hour security. Here there are a few beach front homes and condos for sale. Non-oceanfront lots start at about $70,000.

In contrast, Rock Sound is thoroughly modern with well provisioned stores, fine dining and one of the most elegant resorts in The Bahamas and features a 18 hole golf course.

Exumas - One of the most popular boating destinations, the water that surrounds the 365 cays of the Exumas is light green, deep blue and every imaginable hue in between. The pristine beaches are too numerous to count. Stretching over 100 miles, from Sail Rocks to Beacon Cay, Exuma is an exotic destination. With its north cays are only 35 miles from Nassau; this beautiful destination is closer than you may think. There are direct air links from the U.S. as well, so your playground of beaches is only minutes away. There are many excellent real estate opportunities here. Beach front lots are selling below the $100,000 range. Beach front homes for start in the low $200.000’s. In mid-April, this sleepy town awakens to one of The Bahamas' most spirited events, The Family Island Regatta. For this week long extravaganza Bahamian sloops and work boats from all over the islands vie for the "best in The Bahamas" title. Not an empty inn can be found as fans fill the town, cheering for their favorite boats and celebrating till the wee hours of the morning. Aside from the regatta and other smaller races like it, much of Exuma remains blissfully undisturbed. Across the harbor from George Town lies Stocking Island where a challenging underwater cave has yet to be fully explored. If you are interested in buying an island, Crab Cay and Elizabeth Island are prime location islands for sale in the harbor. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park accessible only by boat, is a spectacular 200 mile wide national park, home to the Bahamian Iguana, tropical birds, magnificent marine life, coral reefs, caves and beaches.

South of the park, Staniel Cay is a picture postcard settlement famous for sloop racing and diving. Like most of The Exumas, it's also known for a beauty and serenity not to be found anywhere else.

Grand Bahama - Grand Bahama is the most northern of the Major Bahamian islands and lies just 75 miles off the coast of Florida. Freeport has easy access with numerous flights to the Miami area as well as flights to other American cities and some European cities. Grand Bahama is about 75 miles long and 4 to 8 miles wide.

In the 1950's Wallace Groves of the Abaco Lumber company, formulated a plan for making Freeport a major industrial and shipping center. This plan was formalized in 1955 through the Hawksbill Creek agreement, which established 150,000 acres of land as an international duty free port and industrial complex. Recent investments in Freeport include a new plastics factory and one of the largest container transshipment terminals in the world.

Most of the action is to be found in the Freeport/Lucaya area here you will find a wide range of potential residences with the resources of a major industrial and tourist center. There are three 18 hole golf courses and one 9 hole golf course as well as an array of other sports including, sports fishing, sailing, scuba Diving, swimming, water skiing, cycling, jogging, riding and tennis. This is a duty free zone and there is no property tax. Some items, including cars under certain circumstances, can even be imported duty free. Check out the Lucayan Marina Village with a town square feel and colonial architecture built on a land locked peninsula with lots of boat dockage and gated security.

Grand Bahama Island isn't all nonstop sports and activities, should you choose to slow down. After all, it was the native Bahamians, the Lucayan Indians, who invented the ultimate in relaxation: the hammock. And with 57 miles of beach surrounding Grand Bahama Island, there couldn't be a better place to enjoy one.

Probably the most famous landmark in all of the Grand Bahama Island is the International Bazaar in downtown Freeport with dozens of shops selling goods from over many countries and four continents. Goods at the International Bazaar sell for about 10-40 percent below retail, but you can strike your own bargain at the nearby Bahamian straw market. Take your pick of hand-crafted handbags, placemats, hats, jewelry and mahogany and pinewood carvings (the bartering is half the fun).

You can also find more international treasures a few miles east of Freeport at the waterfront marketplace of Port Lucaya. The shops here sell everything from leather goods to lingerie to nautical antiques, while the restaurants offer delicious Bahamian, British, American and Japanese cuisine.

The Underwater Explorers Society (UNEXSO) is close by and has excellent facilities for scuba diving and snorkeling to the many sea gardens, caves, colorful reefs and fascinating shipwrecks that lie just off the coast of Grand Bahama Island. The marinas in Freeport and Lucaya offer parasailing, windsurfing, water-skiing, sailing and deep-sea fishing. Glass-bottom boat tours depart from here as well as dinner cruises. Still more sports abound ashore. Golfers have a choice of three championship golf courses right in the vicinity of Freeport: the Ruby and Emerald courses at the Princess Resort in Freeport and the Clarion Atlantic Beach Resort's Lucayan Country Club. All three courses are par 72 and all three are among the best in the Caribbean. Fortune Hills Golf & Country Club offers another course, this one a nine hole par 36.

To get away from all of the activity you don't have to go far. Taino, Williams Town and Xanadu beaches are just a few lovely places to escape to for peace and quiet. The Bahamas National Trust Rand Memorial Nature Centre is just five minutes from Freeport, but it's an entirely different world. Its nature trails wind through 100 acres of protected Bahamian forest where you can see graceful pink flamingoes, the national bird of The Bahamas, and 21 species of native orchid. Garden of the Groves is close by with thousands of exotic plants and flowers from around the world amid waterfalls, streams, ponds, flamingoes and lush fern gully. The Lucayan National Park is only a few miles away, though it seems considerably more removed.

There are scenic beaches and scattered fishing villages that line the road until it ends at the last mainland settlement, McLean's Town. More accessible, but still retaining the small-town feel of eastern Grand Bahama Island, are the settlements extending west of Freeport.

West End is the island's oldest and westernmost settlement, where fishermen consider this one of the best fishing destination in the Bahamas. The diving here is excellent you will find an abundance of the rare Atlantic long-nosed butterfly fish that, like many people who come here, don't see a need to leave this charming place anytime soon.

There's usually a celebration of some sort going on somewhere in The Bahamas and Grand Bahama Island is no exception. Celebrations held here are similar to those in Nassau and Paradise Island. Junkanoo, our famous African-inspired festival, is celebrated on Boxing Day, December 26 and once again on New Year's Day, January 1. The festivities take place in downtown Freeport; samplings of Junkanoo are also held throughout the year in clubs and hotels. The Goombay Summer Festival incorporates the sound of Junkanoo, but focuses more on Bahamian culture. The festivities are held at the International Bazaar or in the Lucaya area in June and July. Discovery Day, October 12, commemorates Columbus' first landing in the New World in San Salvador. One of the many events held on this day is the annual Conch Cracking Competition in McLean's Town. You can catch a minibus to Mclean's Town from downtown Freeport. Independence Day, July 10, is a national holiday celebrating the independence of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Grand Bahama Island begins this national holiday at 4 a.m. with a Junkanoo parade in West End. Emancipation Day, also a national holiday is held the first Monday in August to commemorate the emancipation of slaves in 1834.

An island as active as Grand Bahama Island certainly doesn't slow down when the sun sets. There are two very popular casinos on the island, Princess Casino near the International Bazaar and the Lucayan Beach Casino, both of which feature cabaret shows, spacious lounges and all the games of chance: blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat and slot machines.

Nassau - When most people think of the Bahamas, they are most often thinking of New Providence Island, or, perhaps more accurately, of Nassau (the capital of the Bahamas) and Paradise Island. This is the Bahamas that most tourists see when their cruise ship arrives at Prince George Dock. When the tourists disembark they descend on the shops that line that area of Bay Street in downtown Nassau. Fully developed, Nassau has a wide variety of available activities, from casinos, floor shows and world class restaurants to the full range of water sports. New Providence Island is an ideal vacation or retirement location for someone requiring access to all of the modern services and conveniences of a major resort location.

New Providence Island lies about 100 miles due west of the tip of Florida and is centrally located in relationship to the other islands of the Bahamas. Nassau is located on the north side of the island, just east of center.

The Nassau International Airport is easily reached by direct non-stop flights from Miami, Orlando, West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, as well as from several major European cities.

New Providence - New Providence is an oval-shaped island approximately 21 miles east to west and roughly 7 miles north to south covering an area of 80 square miles. The island is mostly flat, with areas of lakes and marshes. There are several excellent beaches around the island along with excellent inlets and some good harbors. As well, Paradise Island, a thin slice of land about four miles long, is connected to Nassau by a toll bridge. It is a most interesting destination.

New Providence became a British colony in 1666, having been settled the year before by English settlers, many of whom were from Bermuda. The original capital of Charles Towne, named in memory of King Charles II, was changed in 1695 to Nassau, honoring King William II, who was of the house of Orange-Nassau.

Throughout its early history, New Providence was a haven for pirates, until Captain Woodes Rogers, himself a former pirate, was named the first Royal governor of the Bahamas Islands in 1717. It takes one to know one, and Rogers either pardoned those pirates who promised to go straight or hanged those who refused. In memory of his service, a statue of Rogers was erected, which still stands in front of the British Colonial Hotel in Nassau.

New Providence and Paradise Island offer perhaps the widest choice of residential property in the Bahamas. Much of it is very up-scale, with homes in the millions of dollars being rather common. The island boasts one of the most exclusive residential areas in the world called Lyford Cay, complete with a single guarded gate and its own private golf course. Homes in Lyford Cay, which lies at the far west end of the island, start around half a million and go up from there. For someone fortunate enough to be looking for an exclusive haven for the rich and famous, Lyford Cay might be ideal.

A second private residential area exists on New Providence which while still being exclusive and expensive does not reach the levels of Lyford Cay. Called Port New Providence, this locked community offers homes and condos beginning at about $450,000. Also, Old Fort Bay near Lyford Cay is a developing water front community with lots starting at $390,000. Note that it is impossible to drive around these communities as access is allowed only to residents and invited guests.

Outside of these private and very expensive residential areas, the most desirable areas to live on New Providence are various water front sites found along West Bay Street, Cable Beach and Sandyport. These areas are located to the west of Nassau. Winston Heights, Eastern Road and Camperdown are found to the east and on Paradise Island. Many of the homes and condominiums along these stretches of water front at lease equal in cost those of Lyford Cay, but among these beautiful homes it is not uncommon to find smaller, well-kept single family residences and condominiums that, while not inexpensive, may well be in the financial reach of many potential retirees. Paradise Island, in particular, has several complexes of condos that begin around $250,000.

Moderately priced family housing cab be found on New Providence. Outside of the areas identified above, and usually somewhat removed from the water, are numerous middle-class residential areas, particularly in the Westward Villas in the Cable Beach area, which has homes starting at about $200,000’s. As well there are other excellent properties available in the Coral Heights and Coral Harbour, areas south of the airport. These areas might be the best middle-class retirement locations on New Providence, with many modest homes, some with canal access to the ocean, close to dive shops and in the proximity of the South Ocean Golf Course.

If you want a condominium away from the water, there are a wide variety available starting at about $120,000. A home on New Providence or Paradise Island is a lot like moving into an upscale district in any major city. Patience and the help of a good Realtor® can make all of the difference.

Medical service is excellent and is widely available on New Providence, with three major hospitals - Prince Margaret Hospital, Doctors Hospital, and the Lyford Cay Hospital. Numerous physicians and dentists are in private practice on the island as well.

New Providence and Paradise Island offer the full range of recreational activities. Marina facilities are plentiful and modern with related water oriented activities widely available. New Providence boasts eight dive shops, several of which are outside the Nassau/Paradise Island area, thus giving access to a variety of different dive locations around the island.

In addition to a private golf course on Lyford Cay, New Providence and Paradise islands offer three world class par 72 golf courses: The Cable Beach Golf Club, which is run by the Raddison Cable Beach Resort, the Ramada South Ocean Golf Resort, on the southwestern part of the island, and the Paradise Island Golf Club on the eastern end of that island.

New Providence and Paradise islands have more of everything that the Bahamas has to offer: more hotels, more homes and condos, more restaurants, more marinas and more dive shops than any other island in the country. It also has more population than any of the other islands by far.

San Salvador - San Salvador is where it all began for the Western World or where it all began to end for the native Lucayans,(meaning island people). They were actually mistakenly named Indians by Christopher Columbus, who thought he had reached the East Indies.

The cross-monument at Long Bay is where it is believed Christopher Columbus first stepped ashore. Close by the cross-monument is the Mexican Monument, signifying the transfer of the Olympic flame from Athens, Greece to the New World for the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. Only a few miles to the north of the monuments is Cockburn Town (pronounced Ko burn), the principal town of San Salvador. There the mail boat unloads its goods, and a few paces from the dock, the main telephone station and Commissioner's office are located. The one and only airstrip and high school on the island are also located in Cockburn Town. Today the airport provides twice weekly commercial flights from Nassau and numerous air charters and private planes from the U.S. On the eastern shores of San Salvador is the Chicago Herald Monument installed in 1892, which commemorates Columbus' first landing and 400th anniversary. The entire eastern coastline, aside from the creeks, is completely uninhabited. East Beach is a mile-long stretch of golden beach, which is perfect for the beachcomber. In the past there, inhabitants generally traveled by boats and rafts along Pigeon Creek to South Victoria Hill by lakes and creeks throughout the island. Places to the south like Farquharson, Old Place, Trial Farm, Montreal and Allen now practically abandoned, were visited by boat regularly.

It is possible to enter Pigeon Creek through several channels. The shore is lined with tall coconut trees which seem to have been cultivated as shelter for the few stone buildings that house the people of South Victoria Hill. The dock is a small, cement slab. The southwestern shore of San Salvador is now completely free of settlements. On the hills overlooking the quaint and attractive bay are the ruins of Watling's Castle, otherwise known as the Sandy Point Estates. The ruins are the remains of a Loyalist cotton plantation. As its name implies, Sandy Point has a wide beach and the periphery of the sandbank sits only yards away from the shore. The reef system just outside of French Bay is astonishing. Large stands of coral formations topped with elk horn and stag horn sit in fifty feet of water. Much of the natural environment in San Salvador is the same as it was half millennia ago. These are only a few of the scenes of the natural world of San Salvador and The Bahamas. Half a dozen magnificent frigate birds also known as Man-o'-War birds circle gracefully high up in the sky. Three dragon-like lizards called iguanas, rest motionless in sun drenched silence, staring at the calm sea from the low sand dune. San Salvador holds something for everyone, be it ancient Indian and early Spanish archaeology, historic ruins, unlimited opportunities for water sports, or time and space to relax on an unspoiled beach.

Here are some of the current Real Estate Legislations, Stamp Duties, and Tax information that will be useful.

The International Persons Landholding Act encourages foreigners or companies owned by them, to purchase a second home in The Bahamas, since this area is thought to have the most significant potential. If a foreigner acquires a single-family dwelling or vacant land to be used in the construction of such a dwelling, then he no longer needs to obtain a permit from the Government (specifically the Investments Board) prior to purchase. A person only needs to register the acquisition subsequently with the Investments Board. Permanent Residents of The Bahamas, and foreigners who inherit property in the Bahamas are now treated more kindly. In neither case are they to obtain a permit before acquiring land, but must merely register subsequently.

Permit Information: The foreigner will require a permit however if 1. The property is undeveloped land and of five acres in size or larger, or 2. The property is not a private residence, or it is not intended for development as such. Failure to obtain a permit will render the acquisition null and void but the foreigner will be entitled to recover all monies paid in consideration of the acquisition, less any legitimate deductions. If a permit has been granted for the acquisition of land and the intended usage changes then the permit must be varied by the Board, otherwise it will be invalid. A registration certificate or permit must be included along with title documents to be recorded in the Registrar General's Office, otherwise the recording will be null and void.

Mortgages: The new Act is not intended to be a stumbling block for legitimate credit transactions. It provides that licensed banks, trust and insurance companies who acquire an interest in or take possession of property under a Court Order must register that acquisition or fact of possession. Acquisition by way of foreclosure under a mortgage or of land acquired by an authorized foreign state will not require a permit but must be registered.

Leases: Foreigners are not required to obtain permits, register leases or letting agreements unless they are for trade or business purposes and the term can exceed 21 years.

Incentives: In line with its policy of actively encouraging foreign investment, the government has included in the Act a provision that a foreigner no longer pays a double rate of stamp duty. He now pays the same single rate as a Bahamian. Furthermore, a foreigner who owns a home in the Bahamas may now obtain an annual homeowner resident card upon application and payment of a fee to the Director of Immigration. The Card authorizes the entry of the holder and his immediate family. Their stay in the Bahamas is authorized, provided there are no restrictions for policy reasons or under the Immigration Act.

Schedule of Fees: Application for registration - $25.00. Application for permit - $25.00. Certificate of registration: The value of the property is $50,000 or less - $50.00. The value of the property is over $50,000 but under $101,000 - $75.00. The value of the property is $101,000 and over - $100.00. Homeowner resident card - $500.00.

The Government Stamp Tax on Property Conveyances: A graduated tax is payable on the conveyance of all real property in The Bahamas based on the value as follows: Up to and including $20,000 - 2%, from $20,000.01 to $50,000 - 4%, from $50,000.01 to $100,000 - 6%, from $100,000.01 to $250,000 - 8%, $250,000.01 and over -10%. The usual practice in the Bahamas is for the tax to be shared equally between buyer and seller unless otherwise agreed upon.

Rates of Taxes: In respect of owner-occupied property: The first $100,000 is tax exempt. On that portion in excess of $100,000 and less than $500,000 the rate of tax is 1% of the market value of the property. On the portion in excess of $500,000 the tax rate is 1.5% of the market value of the property. In respect of unimproved property other than unimproved property exempt by virtue of Section 39 of the Real Property Tax Act: Upon that part of the market value that does not exceed $3,000 a fee of $30.00. Upon that part of the market value which exceeds $3,000 but does not exceed $100,000 a tax rate of 1% per annum of the market value of the property. In respect of any other property: Upon that part of the market value that does not exceed $500,000 a tax at the rate of 1% per annum of the market value: Upon that part of the market value in excess of $500,000 a tax rate of 2% of the market value of the property. "Market Value" is defined as the amount the property would realize, if sold in the open market, without any encumbrances or restrictions. If the return is not filed, the owner is guilty of an offense, and upon conviction thereof, may be fined up to $3000. Persons knowingly making false statements may be liable upon conviction with a fine of up to $3000 or six months imprisonment, or both fine and imprisonment. If the tax is not paid on or before the last day the tax becomes due, a 10% surcharge is added. In the case of an extension of time, the Chief Valuation Officer may postpone the date on which the tax is payable in a particular case, by notice in writing.

Real Property Tax: The statutes provide for a general assessment of real property by the Chief Valuation Officer of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. This applies to Bahamians and non-Bahamians owning real property in The Bahamas not exempt from taxation as indicated in "Remarks". "Bahamian" is defined as a citizen of The Bahamas or as a company registered under The Companies Act in which at least 60% of the shares are owned beneficially by Bahamians. The returns are due on or before December 31 each year and must be filed with The Chief Valuation Officer of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Owners are required to file a Declaration of Real Property.

As always before purchasing property in any foreign country, consult a Realtor and an Attorney who are qualified to explain the local ownership and tax laws before you buy.

Other Area Overviews

Martin County - Jupiter Island - Tequesta - Jupiter - Juno Beach - Palm Beach Gardens - Singer Island
North Palm Beach - Lake Park - West Palm Beach - Palm Beach - Lake Worth - Wellington - Greenacres - Bahamas