History of the Bahamas
Historically, the Bahamas
Islands were originally the Spaniards called the Bahamas Baja Mar. Comprised primarily of limestone, the islands are mountain
plateaus that emerged from the Atlantic Ocean.The first
settlers ,known as Lukki-cairi, originated from South America. They wandered
around the Caribbean and finally arrived in the Bahamas around the 9th Century.
These settlers were also known as Arawaks and Lucayan. In 1492, Christopher
Columbus first landed in The Bahamas and referred to the natives as
Indians. In 1647, the next set of
settlers arrived in the Bahamas from Bermuda. English settlers left
Bermuda searching for religious freedom and formed the first British colony on
the Island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas.
Around 1600, the islands began
attracting Pirates like Blackbeard, Arthur Catt, and Henry Morgan. For
approximately 70 years, the pirates dominated the islands in what was known as
"The Golden Age of Piracy". Pirates spent their time luring unsuspecting ships
into the treacherous shallow waters for plundering purposes. Britain claimed the islands in
1670, but remained powerless against the piracy for almost 50 years. The first
appointed governor, Woodes Rogers, drove out the pirates in 1718 and it was at
this time that Britain recognized The Bahamas as a colony.
During Britain's war with Spain
and the American Revolution, Spain briefly retook the Bahamas in May 1782. A
year later, under the first Treaty of Versailles, the Bahamas once again became a
British colony. Following Britain's defeat in the American Revolutionary War,
southern loyalists brought their slaves to the Bahamas and grew cotton under the
protection of the British crown. In 1861, during the American Civil War, the
Union navy blockaded the islands in an attempt to cripple the Confederacy.Bahamians prospered by running Confederate cotton to English mills
and sending military equipment to Confederate rebels.
During the early 20th Century, prohibition and the "Roaring
Twenties" transformed the Bahamas into a base for rum running. When prohibition was repealed, the islands lapsed into economic hard
times.
Shortly after
World War II, tourism began to grow. For the first time, The
Bahama islands were being recognized for their aesthetic appeal. When Cuba was closed to
U.S. tourists in the 1950's, the Bahamas soon became a
popular vacation destinations.
Great Britain granted the
islands self-government in 1964 and changed their status from a colony to
a commonwealth in 1969. In 1973, The Commonwealth of the
Bahamas became independent within the Commonwealth of Nations, but retained
Queen Elizabeth II as the constitutional head of state.
Fun Facts
Cat Island is the 6th largest island in the Bahamas
Cat Island has 150 square miles of beaches, forests and other beautiful scenary
Cat Island has a population of 2,000
Customs Information
Private Planes
If you plan to fly your private plane to the Bahamas you will need the following items: 3 copies of the C7A Bahamas Customs Form, 1 Bahama Immigration Card per person, and Proof of Citizenship, whether it be a Birth Certificate, Drivers License, Pilot's License, or Photo ID.
Private pilots visiting the Bahamas should also be aware that there are no overtime Customs fee where the pilot declares that he or she does not receive any remuneration ad the flight is for recreational purpose. Also, there is no Transire C38 necessary for pilots cruising through the Bahamas for pleasure, a copy of the C7A is adequate. Furthermore, there is no departure tax for a pilot and co-pilot. The only tie down fee is for Freeport, Grand Bahamas Island and there is no landing fee for single engine private planes on a recreational trip except at Freeport, Grand Bahamas Island. A flight plan must be filed. This must be activated prior to entering the Bahamas and close after landing.
In order to depart from the Bahamas a private pilot will need the following items: 1 copy of the Bahamas Customs General Declaration Outward Form, C7. Turn in the Bahamas Immigration Card, and finally file a flight plan.
In addition, all passengers six years and older leaving the Bahamas will be required to pay a Government Depature Tax of $15.00 except in Freeport, Grand Bahamas Island, where an additional $3.00 airport security fee is applicable.
If you plan to fly your private plane to the Bahamas you will need the following items: 3 copies of the C7A Bahamas Customs Form, 1 Bahama Immigration Card per person, and Proof of Citizenship, whether it be a Birth Certificate, Drivers License, Pilot's License, or Photo ID.
Private pilots visiting the Bahamas should also be aware that there are no overtime Customs fee where the pilot declares that he or she does not receive any remuneration ad the flight is for recreational purpose. Also, there is no Transire C38 necessary for pilots cruising through the Bahamas for pleasure, a copy of the C7A is adequate. Furthermore, there is no departure tax for a pilot and co-pilot. The only tie down fee is for Freeport, Grand Bahamas Island and there is no landing fee for single engine private planes on a recreational trip except at Freeport, Grand Bahamas Island. A flight plan must be filed. This must be activated prior to entering the Bahamas and close after landing.
In order to depart from the Bahamas a private pilot will need the following items: 1 copy of the Bahamas Customs General Declaration Outward Form, C7. Turn in the Bahamas Immigration Card, and finally file a flight plan.
In addition, all passengers six years and older leaving the Bahamas will be required to pay a Government Depature Tax of $15.00 except in Freeport, Grand Bahamas Island, where an additional $3.00 airport security fee is applicable.
Private Boats
If you are planning to go to travel to the Bahamas on your private boat, there are a few Customs formalities. Vessels clearing into the Bahamas are required to pay a flat fee of $100.00 to cover all customs, immigration costs, and a fishing permit for 1 visit. If there are more than 4 people traveling on the vessel, there will be a charge of $15.00 per additional person. There are no additional or overtime charges. All vessels will receive a Temporary Curising Permit for 12 months, which may be extended up to an additional 2 years for a fee of $500.00 per each additional year.
Margarita Beach Rentals recommends that you obtain and save your receipt. Our representatives also recommend that each crew member should review the expiration date of his or her immigration permit and renew prior to leaving the country.
Activities During Your Stay
Scuba Diving
If you are planning to go to travel to the Bahamas on your private boat, there are a few Customs formalities. Vessels clearing into the Bahamas are required to pay a flat fee of $100.00 to cover all customs, immigration costs, and a fishing permit for 1 visit. If there are more than 4 people traveling on the vessel, there will be a charge of $15.00 per additional person. There are no additional or overtime charges. All vessels will receive a Temporary Curising Permit for 12 months, which may be extended up to an additional 2 years for a fee of $500.00 per each additional year.
Margarita Beach Rentals recommends that you obtain and save your receipt. Our representatives also recommend that each crew member should review the expiration date of his or her immigration permit and renew prior to leaving the country.
courtesy of Google Maps
Activities During Your Stay
Cuisine
The Bahamas has excellent cuisine. If you enjoy fine dining, Margarita Beach Rentals recommends the following restuarants: Greenwood's Resort, Hawk's Nest Restaurant, Ocean View Restaurant, Bluebird Restaurant, and New Bight Sailing Club.
The Bahamas has excellent cuisine. If you enjoy fine dining, Margarita Beach Rentals recommends the following restuarants: Greenwood's Resort, Hawk's Nest Restaurant, Ocean View Restaurant, Bluebird Restaurant, and New Bight Sailing Club.
Scuba Diving
Reefs, wrecks, coral gardens and naturally occuring walls are only a few of the remarkable things that you can see while diving with the PADI certified divers from "Greenwood's Resort" and "Renold Butler's Bow Leg Fishing Charters" during your stay.
In addition, Cat Island is known for its Blue Holes. Cat Island Bahamas Blue holes are geological anomalies. These blue holes are part of an underwater cave system, linking freshwater lakes with the ocean. The holes are deep limestone craters filled with beautiful blue water.
In addition, Cat Island is known for its Blue Holes. Cat Island Bahamas Blue holes are geological anomalies. These blue holes are part of an underwater cave system, linking freshwater lakes with the ocean. The holes are deep limestone craters filled with beautiful blue water.
Casinos
The Bahamas has a few casinos, including Nassau Marriot Resort and Crystal Palace Casino, Atlantis at Paradise Island Resort and Casino, Resort at Bahamia, and Our Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort.
The Bahamas has a few casinos, including Nassau Marriot Resort and Crystal Palace Casino, Atlantis at Paradise Island Resort and Casino, Resort at Bahamia, and Our Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort.
Fishing
The Bahamas are home to several species of game fish. Whether if you are new to the sport or an avid fisherman, there are plenty of opportunities during your stay to partake in a fishing trip that you will never forget!
Our caretaker on Cat Island, Renald Butler, has several fishing charters. If you are interested in deep sea fishing, we reccomend Renald Butler's Bow Leg Fishing Charters. Otherwise, if you are more interested in a less intensive experience we reccomend Renald's inland Bone Fishing Charters.
The Bahamas are home to several species of game fish. Whether if you are new to the sport or an avid fisherman, there are plenty of opportunities during your stay to partake in a fishing trip that you will never forget!
Our caretaker on Cat Island, Renald Butler, has several fishing charters. If you are interested in deep sea fishing, we reccomend Renald Butler's Bow Leg Fishing Charters. Otherwise, if you are more interested in a less intensive experience we reccomend Renald's inland Bone Fishing Charters.
