Private Beach House "The Boathouse" on 3 1/4 acres of private white sand beach
Location: Bennetts Harbor, Cat Island, Bahamas, Caribbean (Located on the 3 1/2 mile white sand beach at Pigeon Cay)
Accommodations: Beach House, 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath (Sleeps 2)
Description of the Cat Island vacation house rental
The Boathouse is a custom built, Bahamian-style home set on a privately owned 3 1/4 acre property. The acreage runs from the ocean to the bay with the house set back from the beach between the ocean and the Bay. The Boathouse is surrounded by water on three sides and has a path to the sugar, white sand beach with gin clear water. Jenn Air Convection oven/microwave, Jenn-Air Stove top, Ice maker, Select Comfort California King Bed w/ down pillows and 400-count. Egyptian Cotton sheets, fabulous outdoor protected shower, DVD, VHS, Film Library, Air-conditioning, Ceiling fans throughout, lending library, Seagrass furniture, Teak chaise lounges & dining area, IKEA cabinets. 12 foot decks all around. Walk to the Pigeon Cay Beach Club with access to beach bar & outdoor dining. Use of kayaks, canoe, and bicycles included in stay. A selection of grocery markets, restaurants and bars are nearby. Bonefishing in Pigeon Creek, Smith Bay & Orange Creek. U.S. owned vacation home with a local property manager/caretaker for assistance with car rentals,restaurants,sights,etc.
-The Boathouse is professionally cleaned and maintained
-Property manager on-island to assist with any questions or requests
-Free use of kayaks, canoe and bicycles
Location
The Boathouse is located on Pigeon Cay beach, in easy walking distance to the Pigeon Cay Beach Club. Our 3 1/4 acre property has a breathtaking, white sand private beach on the warm and gin clear water of the sea. Pigeon Cay is located on the leeward side of Cat Island making for calm waters & beautiful clean beaches. Our beach is located on a secluded, 3 mile beach which extends to Alligator Point. Pigeon Creek is a large salt water inlet which is behind the house and runs parallel to the beach. Pigeon Creek opens to the sea at Alligator Point and provides for exceptional kayaking in calm waters. You can kayak from behind the Boathouse, out to the sea at Alligator Point, & then back to our beach on the ocean. Sea turtles and large rays are frequently encountered while kayaking in Pigeon Creek. Bonefishing on the fly is exceptional in Pigeon Creek,and also in Smith Bay to the South and Orange Creek to the North. Restaurants & bars serving local fare (lobster, conch) are nearby.
Nearest Airports: New Bight Airport (TBI) at 19 miles & Arthur's Town Airport at 16 miles
Cat Island Overview
Untainted by tourism, Cat Island is the sixth-largest island in The Bahamas. The fishhook-shaped island; is some 48 miles long and 1 to 4 miles wide, and lies about 325 miles southeast of Miami. Named after the pirate Arthur Catt, it’s located near the Tropic of Cancer, between Eleuthera and Long Island. It has one of the best climates in The Bahamas, with temperatures in the high 60s during the short winters, rising to the mid-80s in summer, with trade winds making the place even more comfortable. With its pristine virgin beaches, Cat Island is one of the most beautiful islands in The Bahamas, and it is so little visited that it's inexpensive and still feels undiscovered. Many local historians claim that Cat Island residents were the first to see Columbus. The great explorer himself was believed by some to have been welcomed here by the peaceful Arawaks. Beautiful beaches offer an array of water sports. Visitors can go swimming or snorkeling at several places.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided: Down pillows and comforter. 400 count Egyptian 100% cotton sheets.
- Garage
- Beds
- King Bed: Select Comfort California King Bed
- Entertainment
- TV (No Cable/Satellite): Digital TV
- DVD
- VCR
- Video Library: Large library of VHS and DVD's
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library: IPOD Stereo Docking Station
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: Jenn-Air stovetop, Jenn-Air convection oven, Jenn-Air microwave, ice maker, commercial bar blender, vegetable/rice steamer,toaster,coffee maker,Farberware percolator + Ice cream maker
- Cooking Utensils Provided: Calaphon cookware
- Refrigerator: Refrigerator/freezer with ice maker
- Microwave: Jenn-Air
- Ice Maker
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill: Weber Stainless Steel 36,000 BTU Grill
- Deck/Patio: Decks are 12 feet wide on all 4 sides of the Boathouse
- Balcony
- View/Location
- Oceanfront: Boathouse is surrounded by water on 3 sides and is the only structure on our 3+ acres. It has an exceptional, and private white sand beach. The sand is like sugar and the water like gin.
- Communications
- Telephone: There is a phone in the Boathouse and all calls on-island are included.
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- IKEA Kitchen with Jenn Air Convection oven/microwave, Jenn-Air Stovetop, Ice maker, Select Comfort California King Bed w/ down pillows and 400ct. Egyptian Cotton sheets, fabulous outdoor protected shower, DVD, VHS, Film Library,lending library, Air-conditioning, Ceiling fans throughout, Seagrass furniture, Teak chaise lounges & dining area. Stainless Steel 36,000 BTU Weber Gas Grill. 12 foot decks all around. Clothes washer and dryer. Walk to the Pigeon Cay Beach Club with access to beach bar & outdoor dining. Use of kayaks, canoe, and bicycles included in stay.
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Not Suitable for Children
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Restaurants
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Shelling
- Swimming
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Spelunking
- Other Activities
- Kayaking Pigeon Creek, located just steps behind the Boathouse, makes for a peaceful, quiet trip through an aquatic wonderland. The creek is a nursery for sea turtles, baby sharks, bonefish, manta rays and other small fish. Paddlers can see them cruising along the sandy bottom or darting in and out of the mangrove trees. If you have never kayaked before, this is the place to learn. Our ocean kayaks are wide and stable and do not restrain your legs or body. They are easy to get in and out of and it is easy to learn for first timers. Boating/Sailing & Diving/Snorkeling Uninhabited cays, hidden coves, annual regattas. Diving Coral reefs. Blue holes. Walls. Caves. Shipwrecks. Dolphins. The variety of islands in The Bahamas presents a variety of diving experiences. Beginners and experts are welcome. Deep Sea Fishing is a thrill with huge tuna, wahoo,dolphin, snapper and marlin. Bonefishing "on the fly" is exceptional in Pigeon Creek,Smith's Bay & Orange Creek.
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
$1350/week for up to 2 guests. No children or pets allowed.
A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking to guarantee dates.
90 days notice of cancellation to receive refund of deposit; however, your deposit
can be fully credited to a future booking within one year, based on availability.
Tax Rate: 10.0%. Visa, MasterCard & American Express accepted for balance.
Also check for more details and information on our website.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Sarah and I love traveling and have been visiting Cat Island for 14 years. I grew up exploring the Out Islands of the Bahamas by boat, and have ventured throughout the islands regularly since 1967. We bought this spectacular beachfront property in the late 1990's, but finished building the "Boathouse" in January 2007. We moved back to the USA 2 years ago after living 3+ years in Costa Rica and another 3 years living in Mexico. Both our boys are currently away in college.
Why the Owner Chose Bennetts Harbor
Cat Island is truly an unspoiled paradise. The people are wonderful and still wave to everyone as they pass. The Boathouse sits on a beautiful white sand beach with water clear as gin. The beach runs for 3 miles, but you can spend days without seeing another soul (read the guest comments). Snorkeling, scuba diving and "bonefishing on the fly" are among other favorites.
Our property is 3 1/4 acres and is surrounded by water on 3 sides. You can launch the kayaks or the canoe behind the house on Pigeon Creek and paddle around to our beach on the ocean. Leslie Kennedy lives on-island and manages the house for us. She will greet you upon your arrival and familiarize you with the house. The Boathouse is professionally cleaned and maintained and Leslie is available to answer any questions you may have or provide assistance with anything you may need.
The Unique Benefits of this Beach House
The use of kayaks, canoe and bicycles are included with your stay at the Boathouse. There are 2 single kayaks and a tandem to choose from. You can bike for miles on the sea road or ride on the main road to Bennett Harbor for lunch at Sammy T's, Ducky's or Derrick's conch shack.
We enjoy cooking and have equipped the Boathouse with a Jenn Air Convection oven/microwave, Jenn-Air Stovetop, Ice maker, and a 36,000 BTU Stainless Weber. There is Calphalon cookware, a Waring commercial blender, and an ice cream/sorbet maker. There are 12 foot decks which encircle the entire house perfect for reading, relaxing, cocktails, or just taking in the incredible views. Ceiling fans are installed throughout the house and on the decks (11 in total). Although rarely needed, the house is also fully air conditioned.
Property Photos
- Private Beach House "The Boathouse" on 3 1/4 acres of private white sand beach - Cat Island, Bahamas Vacation Rentals
- Our beach with gin clear water and sugar white sand - Cat Island, Bahamas Vacation Rentals
- IKEA Kitchen with JennAir stovetop,JennAir Convection Oven & Microwave,Ice Maker - Cat Island, Bahamas Vacation Rentals
- Living Area with Seagrass furniture,Sisal rugs,library,DVD,VHS,Stereo
- Fabulous Outdoor Protected Shower with plenty of hot,hot water
Guest Comments (11)
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #171628
There have been 15009 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2008.
This listing was first published here in 2008.
Date last modified - November 11, 2009
Positive Rating
"AWESOME HONEYMOON!" Robin & James E., Harleysville, PA, Date of Stay: March 22-28,2009. "Cat Island is beautiful. The people are friendly, the atmosphere is laid back, the food is delicious, and the scenery is gorgeous. The Boat House is an awesome place! We went there for our honeymoon. It was a bit of a risk to pick a honeymoon destination based soley on pictures and reviews posted on the internet, but it turned out to be a great choice. The reviews were accurate. The pictures don't do it justice though. It is even more beautiful in person. The Boat House is was a very comfortable place to stay. Very well thought out with everything you need. Very private and romantic, yet just a short walk from Pigeon Cay Resort. Getting there was easy. Lesley & Ned (At Pigeon Cay) arranged for a taxi to pick us up at the airport, and we stopped at the grocery store on our way to the house. You could spend every day relaxing on the beach... or you could do what we did. Every day we packed a lunch and either hiked, biked or drove somewhere. We swam and snorkeled by the resort, biked over to the North Shore to go fishing, and took the canoe down the creek. Every day was an adventure. We were only there for a week, and we ran out of time before we ran out of things to do. Next tme we're going for at least two weeks! We are definitely going back!!"
Positive Rating
Mark, I just want to say that the Boathouse was exactly what Lauren and I were looking for in a secluded,romantic honeymoon. The beach was one of the most gorgeous I've seen and definitely the most private. We have done other "touristy" vacations around the Carribean and I have to say that this was MUCH more relaxing and I can honestly say we enjoyed it much more than a resort type vacation. I really loved the wrap around porch on the house and of course the "open" floor plan. We did a whole lot of relaxing, just laying around in the lounge chairs upstairs. We loved the bed as well, can't wait to get one at our house! I have passed your info to some of my friends that are getting ready for their honeymoons and are looking for some real "one on one" time. I can honestly say I really want to return to Cat Island maybe for 2 weeks this time. Thank you for lending us your beautiful home. DJ
Positive Rating
The Boathouse on Cat Island was the best Ray & Susan McD Surry, Maine May 31 - June 7, 2008 My husband and I were very pleased and not one bit disappointed with our accomodations on Cat Island. The Boathouse was perfect. It was all we were looking for and more. The description of the property was very accurate, we loved having Alligator Creek on one side and the beautiful beach on the other. The house was exceptionally clean and well maintained. Ned and Leslie at Pigeon Cay were great, they know it all about good customer service! They helped us arrange for a car, told us where to get groceries and just really helped us with everything. Everything at Pigeon Cay is very relaxed and friendly. We felt like "family" so to speak. The beaches were pefect, clean, private. We had kayaks, canoes, bikes all at our disposal. Ned even let my husband use one of his fishing rods when his got broken. The people on Cat Island were wonderful, very warm, friendly and sincere people. We felt very safe everywhere we went and all the people really wanted us to enjoy our stay on their island. The food was wonderful, even the meals we cooked ourselves. We plan on going back again next summer. If you are looking for a very quiet, serene place to just get back in touch with nature and humanity you need to try the Boathouse on Cat Island. The house was like living under the stars. It was all a wonderful experience.
Positive Rating
Charming house ! Bob17 Berlin / Germany. April 26- May 3, 2008 First, I have to apoligize for my bad english and hope everybody understand what I mean. Now I try to describe the experience we made at this very charming and romantic house. There's everything you need. The description of the house and the amenities was accurate. Everything was clean, enough towels and beach towels. Beach chairs and umbrella were also available. The caretakers were awesome, we got everything we need from them (fish, car). The beach was perfect, best beach I've ever been. If you want to see something from the island or go shopping you need to rent a car. The largest supermarket and liquor store is by the airport. Recommended for: Romantic Getaway
Positive Rating
Bill & Kathy R. Highland Park, Illinois March 15-22, 2008 "Spectacular !" "The Boathouse is exactly as described. It is quiet (except for the birds and the breeze), very well appointed, and is a perfect spot to rest, unwind and enjoy Cat Island. The house has all of the amenities, including an awesome Weber, and a Select Comfort bed (now I have to get one for home!). The beach is one of the most beautiful in the world, and on a busy day - we saw 3 other people! The bonefishing was great, but not for the flyfishing beginner (wide open flats white sand flats - skinny water - big fish (all singles or doubles) and no place to hide from the wind. Cat Island is beautiful, quiet and friendly - and the Boathouse is a great place to enjoy this one-of-a-kind destination. We'll be back!"
Positive Rating
Stephen & Andrea C. Saint Paul, MN March 1-15 , 2008 Mark and Sarah: Our choice of the Boathouse was instantaneous: love at first sight. The moment we saw it on the web, we knew we wanted to stay there. We've traveled extensively around the Caribbean and the continental coasts, and our trip to Cat Island was one of our favorite vacations because we loved your house so much. It may sound corny, but we truly appreciate that you are willing to share such a wonderful and unique accommodation with others. The doors stayed wide open for the whole stay to allow us to enjoy the breezes and hear the birds. The primary pleasure of the island was its remote feel and easily found solitude. We rented a 4x4 and drove all over during our two week stay. Exploring the variety of beaches on both sides of the island was a lot of fun. We like to collect shells and beachcomb; Andrea found a glass float for a fishing net and some spectacular King Helmet shells on the Atlantic beaches. We also had wonderful afternoons at Fine Bay north of Greenwood and Port Royal near Orange Creek. The off-road driving is a little risky and challenging, but we found it quite rewarding. Most of all we enjoyed having these spectacular beaches all to ourselves for hours at a time. Our canoe paddles on the creek were also a highlight. I'm an experience canoeist but the creek presented some unusual challenges. We saw dozens of sea turtles of all sizes, as many as eight stingrays at a time, and blacktip sharks swimming underneath our canoe. It was truly exciting. We also enjoyed driving the Pigeon Cay road out towards the tip of Alligator Point (parking just short of the sand pit), then walking out to the mouth of the creek, and finally swimming across to the beaches full of shells. We really liked the heavy teak furniture on the deck, especially the substantial pads on the lounge chairs. They're the best we've ever experienced. The outside deck shower was fantastic and we may even try to find a similar shower head for our soon-to-be remodeled bathroom at home. Great touches. We liked the collection of books (and movies) and even read some of your offerings instead of the ones we brought with us. The music CDs were fun and I would encourage you to keep adding to the collection. We cooked all but a couple of our meals. We also found the Orange Creek grocery preferable to the one in New Bight (including a bottle of the local conch salad dressing of sour orange with vinegar and chilis). We've written so much because we believe you're sincere in wanting comments and we've tried to offer them in a spirit of truly helping others enjoy the Boathouse. If we return to Cat Island, we shall stay at the Boathouse and no where else. Sincerely, Steve and Andrea
Positive Rating
Jane and Owen B Plainfield, Vermont February 16 -March 1, 2008 Hi Mark and Sarah, Where to begin...everything was fantastic in Cat Island - especially the Boathouse. The CD's were great - all of our favorites and we had a blast just dancing on the deck, sitting in the chairs, reading, relaxing. Most days we were the only people on the beach. Leslie and Ned were great - there if we needed anything but wonderfully respectful of our space. - Great shower - Awesome bed, linen, pillows, towels - all top notch - Kitchen fully equipped - The most comfortable lounging chairs we've ever sat in - Views we never got tired of looking at - got up everyday before the sun rose just to take in as much as possible We took over 500 photos so as soon as I get them all sorted out, I'll send you a link to my Picassa site. You have a beautifully designed house. Simple, yet elegant. Thank you so much for providing such a wonderful spot for our anniversary. Owen & Jane
Positive Rating
Tim & Hettie K Charlotte, North Carolina August 4-11, 2007 Mark, We loved Cat Island. We have never, ever, met friendlier people anywhere. The highlights: The beach was wonderful. The views from the deck were superb. The outdoor shower was a real treat. It's on our "must have" list for our own island home someday. We grilled on the Weber each of the nights we were there. The breezes were delicious and the sunsets were spectacular. The kitchen was great. Being able to cook to such a level - either on the Weber or using the induction cooktop or the convection/microwave - is a real plus. Having local contacts for fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood was very helpful. Having a fridge with an icemaker was awesome. The linens and the bed were great - beyond the level of what we've found before in a private out-island home. The bed was the most comfortable we’ve ever experienced in our 20 years of island travel. That’s a real perk. I was very, very happy to have a telephone. A working phone is on my list of must-haves... not so much so I can make a call, just from a peace-of-mind standpoint knowing someone at home could reach me if the need arose. We took some DVDs and also enjoyed a few from your collection. Everything was in great working order. We also made the side-trip to the Hermitage and spent a few hours on one of the windward beaches. Both excursions added to our enjoyable week and I would recommend them to anyone visiting the island. We had a great time and we loved Cat Island. We'll be back. I don't know if I'd previously mentioned that I used to write for Caribbean Travel & Life magazine - and I look at every trip recap with some of that travel- writer/researcher perspective. What made this a memorable trip? What could have made it better? What would someone else think of the island and the accommodations, etc.? What homework did I fail to do before I got there? I do think it takes a special attitude and hardiness to appreciate the out islands. There are tremendous payoffs you get in exchange for not having room service or guided tours or a maintenance man on-call. I would choose an out island trip - including a little "roughing it" - over a 4-star resort any day. I'd take that deal tomorrow! So no worries at all. We came home with big smiles. Thanks for all your help and info - and for giving us a great launching pad for our 2007 vacation. I hope our paths cross someday. Best, Tim K Charlotte
Positive Rating
Ryk & Allison Toronto,Ontario May 25-June 1, 2007 "Hi Mark, Well, we’re back home now after a truly enjoyable stay. The Boathouse is a marvelous design which really suits the location. We found that the easy transition from the “indoors” space to the veranda provides the feeling of being in a much larger home. You have obviously given the design a great deal of thought and it has worked out very well. Being in the commercial real estate development industry, I couldn’t help but wonder how you managed to find labor on the island that was able to adapt to the challenges of a rather unique form of construction. You have thought of everything—the manuals, the maps, the Cat Island booklet, a reasonable selection of movies and books (we enlarged the latter slightly), a great BBQ, good kitchen appliances, a huge cistern for rainwater (treated to ensure that the water was potable), beautiful and comfortable outdoor furniture, an unbelievably comfortable bed and, my personal favorite —a composting toilet. Combined with an amazingly pristine and almost deserted beach, clear warm water, friendly locals and virtually no commercialism, we had a refreshingly restful and rejuvenating stay. Thank you for everything—we sincerely enjoyed it all." Ryk
Positive Rating
Beverly & Brian D Connecticut USA April 22-29, 2007 "Hi Mark, Brian and I had a wonderful time staying at your house on Cat Island last week, very peaceful and relaxing. The house was very comfortable(LOVED the views from the deck and the outdoor shower), everything went generally very well (Leslie is a treasure!) And even if an extended stay isn't possible, we definitely intend to spend as much Time there as we can, coming a little better prepared (cash, food, niceties, etc.) next time. Also a car is a necessity for us at least a couple of times a week, so I need to work on that as well. We can't wait to go back!" ---- Beverly