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. The Boathouse is very private, and it is the only house on our property. All living and entertainment space is upstairs, with the garage, and washer/dryer downstairs. 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
- Boathouse Beach - Our Palapa (newly constructed as of December 20, 2009)
Guest Comments (15)
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #171628
There have been 17530 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2008.
This listing was first published here in 2008.
Date last modified - February 08, 2010
Positive Rating
Idyllic retreat Lilian and Pierre L , Toronto, Ontario, Canada Review Submitted: January 15, 2010 My husband and I were in need of some R & R, and the Boathouse on Cat Island fit the bill perfectly. We stayed for two weeks, in Feb and March, but I can envision staying for months and years. The Boathouse is exactly as described and pictured, a very comfortable, beautiful and environmentally conscious place, perfect for one couple. The view in all directions is simply stunning. The house is very clean, everything works well, the owners kindly phoned us several times from the US to make sure that we were happy, and the property is maintained by the owners of the Pigeon Cay Resort nearby. We ate at the resort every second or third night; there was a set menu (no choices) but the food was outstanding and the ambiance friendly. All the guests (perhaps 10 people) mixed and ate at one large table. The beach is superlative, and in fact Cat Island is ringed with beautiful beaches, some of which have outstanding snorkeling. We usually had the beach to ourselves, picture a wide expanse of soft pink sand, gradual easy entry into the warm, calm caribbean waters. If there had been someone else on the beach, it would have been crowded by Cat Island standards. Wish for surf? Dramatic surf is a short car ride away on the Atlantic side. Cat Island is a great destination for the independent travellers who like to organise their own activities and enjoy lots of contact with the friendly local people. Shop at the local grocery stores, and arrange for delivery of your fresh veggies and fruits to your door, meet the salesman who is also the local preacher, one of many because the inhabitants are very religious. There is no crime to speak of, and we felt safe everywhere. Restaurants? ask and you will be directed to many small eateries where the menu might be limited, but the food was always delicious. Scuba diving is available. What we did not find in Cat Island: crowds, noise, traffic jams, casinos, large resorts, cruise ships, organised activities/tours, nightclubs, room service. There is no shopping to speak of, either. If you can do without these things, you will be happy at the Boathouse in Cat Island.
Positive Rating
The Boathouse, Molly S.,Jackson, Michigan Date of stay: December 20-28,2009 The Boathouse was exactly what the website pictures promised and more. It even felt roomier than the pictures indicated. Every item you've chosen for the house is of the highest quality. I never looked for a thing that wasn't available: flashlights, lighters, kitchen utensils, etc. The linens were wonderful and plentiful. We loved going through the guest binder and learning the ins-and-outs of Cat Island: where to eat, how to get around, sights to see, history, activities... Your insight there is priceless. We spent many hours on the Pigeon Cay beach and took long walks. I think we probably saw other people maybe a dozen times in the week we were there, but it was usually the same 3 or 4. No one ever bothered us or disrupted our peace and enjoyment in any way. We felt like we were in our own romantic world. The water was amazing; the sand like powdered sugar. The palm frond tiki hut even sheltered us from passing rainshowers. Leslie was a very nice hostess for a Christmas Eve meal at their resort. She also easily arranged a rental car for us, even had it delivered there at the resort. The Cat Island experience is very unique and one I will always remember. I'm sure we will visit again, although probably in the spring or early summer to avoid some of the inclement weather that can muddle up the winter season. I also have a few couples from work who are interested in the Boathouse, and I'm sharing great reviews with them, too. One of the couples is a pair of avid divers who spend lots of time around the Caribbean. Although they usually travel resort-style, they also seek out a getaway like your place every year or two. Watch for the Baldwins from Michigan, I bet they'll be your guest someday. In closing, a lot of friends and family have asked would we do it again. I have said, without hesitation, yes! You have a lovely getaway spot on a special island. Thank you so much for allowing us to be your guests. We look forward to a chance to stay again.
Positive Rating
Cat Island/Boathouse Dennis & Sandra D, Southeast Texas Review Submitted: August 11, 2009 Date of Stay: July 2009 This was our 1st trip to the Bahamas and it was a leap of faith to go to an outer island based only on reviews. A storm knocked out the phones and we stayed during a week that Pigeon Cay was closed, so having a vehicle all week was the way to go. With phones and Pigeon Cay open for meals, I believe all we needed was a 2 or 3 day rental. We bought the items we needed for breakfast and light meals and started to the house. The one major road was fine and the ocean views were stunning. The houses and restaurants were close to the road; small structures and kept up in a minimal manner. Our first impression was that these were not inviting places to visit. That impression would change. The Boathouse is unique: the downstairs area is for storage and laundry, the wrap around porch includes the shower area, the kitchen/living room area, and the bedroom/toiletry area. All the double doors will lock in an open position so the whole house is open to the wind. When we arrived a nice breeze was blowing so we opened the doors and started to experience the uniqueness. The breeze was wonderful even in late July and the sounds you hear are of the wind and the waves. It was a wonderful way to sleep and to wake up. We could see a few houses on the beach side, but the Boathouse is the only home on the estuary side. With the complete realization of an outside bathing area, and everything in the home in great shape, including the AC, we had everything we needed. The beach is the most beautiful beach I have been on. Pigeon Cay is a short walk to the left as you enter the beach and you quickly walk past the homes on the right to a completely natural beach area. The beach turns to volcanic rock before you reach Alligator Point which is one of the most beautiful spots I have seen. We visited the other island resorts and beaches. All of them were absolutely spectacular, but with the Boathouse, a beach that seemed to have no end, and Alligator Point, I never saw anything that made we wish I had another spot. We came to Cat Island knowing it was an outer island and we could face some issues. The phones being down and having to use some bug spray were the most that came our way. The actual largest issue we had came on our last day when time returned as a weight on our shoulders. A whole week of tropical paradise and it was ending. We snorkeled and walked the beach one last time. Would we go back? Absolutely! Would we stay at the Boathouse? Absolutely!
Positive Rating
Relaxing Mattie and Philip Austin, TX Review Submitted: July 18, 2009 The boathouse was amazing. We were very pleased to learn that all the reviews and descriptions are right on. This was just what we were looking for, a quiet place in a beautiful location. Our favorite thing about the boathouse is definitely the outdoor shower, it was absolutely wonderful. We have never before looked forward to taking so many showers! It was great during the day with the ocean breeze and at night with all the stars. Oh the stars, it was awesome to see so many stars! The wrap around deck made it easy to find the best place to lounge. The majority of the cooking was done at the house and it was great to eat outside all the time. We loved the beach, it was perfect, the sands are white, the waters are turquoise, and you can see to the bottom of the ocean floor. Most days we were the only ones at the beach! It is the perfect place to simply relax. Leslie was great, she was very nice and very helpful. The people there are very friendly. For a self-sufficient vacation, we could have not asked for more. We loved it!
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