southern boating

Carl and Yvonne Rolle are now fully open for
business. Rollezz Villas Beach Resort is located right
on the beach about one mile west of Joe Sound
Creek. They have eight units for rent and a charming
outside dining area serving drinks, breakfast, lunch,
and dinner. There is no doubt their hospitality will
make you want to spend more time anchored in Old
Bight. Call ahead for reservations at (242) 557-0005.
rollezz.com

North Cat Island

Bennett’s Harbour has several good places to

anchor and lovely beaches. Odette and Derek
manage Yardie’s, which is a short walk from the
government dock. Yardie’s has gas and serves
delicious meals and conch salad. Sammy T’s Beach
Resort, a little further north, is open for more upscale
food. Best to call ahead: (242) 354-6009.
Alligator Creek and the creek that runs in from

Bennett’s Harbour are beautiful places to explore by

dinghy or kayak. If you paddle up Bennett’s Harbour

near the end of the flood tide you can go all the

way through to Alligator Creek, then come out the

entrance and back around on the west side. This

large mangrove area is teeming with wildlife.

When the wind is east or northeast you can anchor

off Arthur’s Town or Orange Creek. Arthur’s Town

has a couple of good restaurants and is home to

the Rake and Scrape Festival, the island’s signature

yearly celebration of The Bahamas’ indigenous music

on the first weekend of June. People come from all

over to join in the

festivities.

Margaret

Cleare’s Orange

Creek Food

Store is a well-

stocked island

store with a

laundromat

attached. Be

careful going into

Orange Creek

in your dinghy.

The sandbar’s

constant shifts

can make it difficult to get in and out at low tide.

If the wind is east the anchorage in Port Royal

is nothing short of spectacular. Three things are

important here. The beach runs from the north end

of the bay, around Orange Creek Point, all the way

Words and photos by Stephen Connett

28 s SOUTHERNBOATING.COM s MARCH 2016

BAHAMASBAHAMAS

UPDATEUPDATE

Old Bight, Cat Island

Carl and Yvonne Rolle at Rollezz; stone turtle at Rollezz Resort