Big Whale Cay: Historic Shores and Wild Cruising in the Berry Islands

Big Whale Cay is one of the most intriguing islands in the southern Berry Islands, combining secluded beaches, shallow Bahamian banks and an unusual history that sets it apart from the neighboring cays. Located close to Chub Cay and Little Whale Cay, the island sits between brilliant turquoise shallows and the deep waters bordering the Berry Islands, creating an excellent setting for swimming, snorkeling, fishing and quiet exploration by yacht. The Bahamas tourism authority highlights Big Whale Cay for both its historic lighthouse and its private airport.

Unlike the resort atmosphere of Chub Cay, Big Whale Cay feels considerably more private and undeveloped. Long stretches of coastline remain free from major tourism infrastructure, while Femme Beach is one of the island's best-known sandy shores. The surrounding flats are also associated with bonefishing, and the island's lagoon provides additional sheltered water for smaller boats.

For yacht charter guests, Big Whale Cay is particularly appealing as part of a wider southern Berry Islands itinerary. Chub Cay lies nearby with a full-service marina and port-of-entry facilities, while Little Whale Cay, Bird Cay and the surrounding smaller islands can be explored during short cruising days. The nearby Chub Cay Wall also extends toward Whale Cay, giving divers access to one of the Berry Islands' most dramatic underwater landscapes.

Navigation around Big Whale Cay requires the usual care associated with cruising the Berry Islands. Extensive shallow banks surround much of the island, while reefs, sandbars and rapidly changing depths make good daylight particularly valuable. Larger yachts should remain in adequately charted deeper water and use tenders for exploring the coastline, beaches and lagoon areas.

The contrast between the shallow bank waters and the much deeper ocean nearby is one of the defining characteristics of this part of The Bahamas. Captains should rely on current charts, depth soundings and visual navigation when moving between Big Whale Cay, Little Whale Cay and Chub Cay. Big Whale Cay does not provide the same developed yacht facilities as Chub Cay, so fuel, provisioning and formal marina services are generally better arranged at Chub Cay before exploring the surrounding islands.

Big Whale Cay offers potential anchoring areas around its protected bank-side coastline, with sandy sections providing useful holding in settled conditions. The island also has a lagoon that has historically been used for boat mooring, although access and suitability depend heavily on vessel size, draft and local conditions. Larger charter yachts are typically better suited to remaining farther offshore and using their tenders for the final approach.

As with many Berry Islands anchorages, wind direction should determine where a yacht stays. Locations exposed to the open ocean can quickly become uncomfortable when swell builds, while the shallower bank side generally provides calmer water in prevailing easterly conditions. Because Big Whale Cay is privately owned, anchoring nearby should not be assumed to include unrestricted access ashore.

Big Whale Cay has one of the most colorful histories in the Berry Islands. The island became closely associated with Marion Barbara "Joe" Carstairs, a wealthy British powerboat racer who settled there during the 1930s and transformed Whale Cay into an extraordinary private community. Carstairs built roads, homes, a store and a lighthouse, and the island became known for hosting prominent international visitors during its most glamorous period.

Remnants of that era remain part of Big Whale Cay's identity today. Historic residences, the lighthouse and Big Whale Cay Airport are still among its most recognizable landmarks. The airport is officially listed as a private aerodrome, reinforcing the cay's secluded character and making the island feel very different from the more developed charter stops elsewhere in The Bahamas.