Welcome to you all. We do encourage all of you that come to Crooked Island and we wish you a safe nice trip. Please keep in mind that the Landrail point area stretching from Landrail all around the north point to Gun Bluff is private property. This includes the beach. You are welcome to anchor but please do not anchor in somebodies backyard. Just respect the privacy of the people who live there and everybody is welcome.
Size: 92 Sq. miles,
Highest Point: 155 Ft.,
Location: Lat. N22 47’ 00 – Long: W74 14’ 30
Distance from Nassau: 240 miles southeast.
Crooked Island, Acklins Island, Long Cay, and outlying Samana and plana cays make up the Crooked Island District. A 50-mile barrier reef rings the entire island chain, offering drop-offs beginning at about 50 feet and plunging to 3600 feet in the Crooked Island Passage. Crooked Island is about 250 miles southeast of Nassau.
These 3 islands inhabit about 600 people. The main airport is in Colonel Hill and there is a private 2000' airstrip at Pittstown. This airstrip will be 3500' in September.
The three principal islands form a rough triangle enclosing the shallow Bight of Acklins. Columbus sailed down the leeward side of the islands in 1492, passing through the Crooked Island Passage, which later became a major highway for Spanish treasure
fleets. Columbus called the islands the 'Fragrant Isles,' perhaps because of the aromatic scent of the cascarilla tree's bark, also called 'Eluethera bark.'
In the late 18th century the islands, like their northern neighbors, were settled by Loyalist from North America who tried to establish a cotton industry. About 50 plantations were founded, using more than 1000 slaves. By the 1830s depleted soils, weevils,
and emancipation doomed the plantations forever. The white land-owners left. The black labours remained and turned to be subsistence fishing and farming. Their descendants still fish, ten the land, and draw an income from stripping cascarilla bark and
selling it to the manufacturers of Campari liquor. These southerly islands are relatively backward. Tourism is almost nonexistent. But other adventurer's com calling: Cubans and Haitians make the desperate run for a new life. The islander's idiosyncrasies
are related in Out Island Doctor, the autobiography of Evans Cottman, A Yankee teacher who fell for the Crooked and Acklins spell in the 1940s and set up here, where he was adopted as a doctor. Many of the adult islanders were youngsters back then and
scamper about in various chapters.
The island's irregular shoreline is indented with deep inlets and sounds and lined by beautiful beaches. The main road runs along the north shore. Inland, briny lagoons and swamps cover much of the island. The rest is scrub and dense pockets of woodland that have never been cleared. Bird watchers are in for a treat! Herons, ospreys, egrets, mockingbirds, Finches, wild canaries, hummingbirds, and flamingos abound. And lepidopterists can spot approximately 28 endemic subspecies of butterflies. Spring is a very good time to visit.
About 60% of the islanders are Seventh day Adventist, the rest are Baptists and Presbyterians. From Friday sundown to Saturday sundown, the island virtually comes to a halt.
For me personally the most interesting site of the island is the west side. Here you find the private houses and a little town called Landrail point. About 70 people inhabit this little town. In this town you will find the dock for the mail boat 'United Star'. Once a week the boat brings the goods you order from around the world to Crooked. All the stuff you bring in comes through Nassau. Landrail Point has a gas station, several guest houses and a tiny supermarket. Also it has a very little harbour where you can bring your boat. Do not bring boats bigger than 26 feet otherwise the harbour is full. It is only a place to hold little Boston Whalers and where you can fill up your tanks.
Crooked Island Landrail point harbourCrooked Island Landrail point harbourCrooked Island Pitstownpoint landings.
The latest development is Out Island Inn. This gorgeous and well maintained lodge is the only major lodge on the island and has its own web site.
This book I turned inside out for information about the Bahamas. Unfortunately I still have the first edition. I do not know if the second edition contains more information about Crooked than this site but I am sure this book is a MUST HAVE for everybody who travels to the Bahamas. You can order this book at Amazon. If the link does not work go to Amazon.com and search for the title.
This book is from a man who was on Crooked Island in the early seventies. Sand in my Shoes is the authors semi-autobiographical account of the disasters and victories encountered when this young suburban Englishman adjusts to his new life as a school teacher on Crooked Island in the Bahamas. His name is Stephen R. Griffiths. The price for the book is $ 12 plus packing and postage. You can contact him to order this book.
Please keep in mind that you will be visiting a very remote area. You need to understand that to avoid trouble. For example ,if something breaks there may not be a replacement or spare part. This could be a tire, the toilet, potatoes, gas etc. But do not worry. Remember. You are in paradise and everything will work out. I have met many people from around the world and I must say that the people on Crooked Island are very nice and always try to help an other. Also keep in mind that people are not used to the stress we live in. An appointment can be forgotten, or people may not show up on time. Learn to accept this and you will find an Island without crime and, yes, you can leave your door unlocked at night.
This is a big problem on the island. Batelco has improved their service a lot lately, but sometimes the phones do not work. They also have cell phone service at the moment, but I doubt if you bring your own it probably will be of no use. Check with your telephone company if they have a contract with the Bahamas. Even better is to buy a satellite telephone if you visit remote areas regular. I would suggest the Iridium phones. I have one and I pay $1.50 per minute and a monthly fee of $20. That is not expensive compared to the rates you normal pay in the Bahamas.The following number is for the telephone station on Crooked Island.
Tel +1 242 336 2590 fax +1 242 344 2502
In Landrail Point you will find 3 good grocery stores, a hardware store, a souvenir store, and a gas station. (see shops for more information)
There is no big shopping. There is only one main road and that's it. You need to bring with you most of what you would want or need. The lodge at Pittstown Point Landings, has a little shop with some clothing but at present I do not know if it is open. So if you need fishing gear or other things for your enjoyment bring it with you. If you book a trip with the guides for fishing or diving, equipment will be provided. For food out of Nassau see groceries below.
Please feel welcome in worshiping our Lord with us on Saturdays at 11 am at the seventh Day Adventist Church here in Landrail Point.
Yes, Landrail point even has a tiny library. If you like, take a look. This building was the school at landrail Point.
You will find some high quality restaurants in the Landrail area. Look at links. Only Pittstown serves alcohol. But you can bring your own in the other restaurants. The restaurants are non smoking.
Money.
The Bahamas have the Bahamian Dollar and it has the same value as the US dollar. Of course the banks will have other rates if you change money. But in general 1 US dollar is 1 Bahamian dollar. The lodge at Pittstown accepts credit cards. There are no banks at Crooked Island but the post office near the police station may provide basic banking transactions. The guest houses, restaurants, guides etc. accept cash or cheques, no credit cards.
The island police consists on one person. A 'great whale of a man' called Constable Elijah.
Tel +1 242 344 2197
Name me one tropical paradise where you do not find them. I have been around all the Caribbean and I have seen them everywhere. But yes... they are around. Especially in the rainy season. What can you do about them?..... lots of rum.....good idea:) Repellent? hmmmmmmmmm........I am used to them so I do not use anything. Do not itch and try to ignore them. Be more alert on days with little or no wind.
Crooked Island does not get as much rain as the northern islands and it will get very hot in the summer. In the winter ( December - March) you could take an extra pair of pants or a sweater but... normally it's over 80 so it is only for the evenings. But just to be safe, bring a sweater and an extra pain of pants to avoid a chilly evening. Otherwise you would be stupid if you carry more than a handbag with clothes. On the entire island there are no dress codes, fancy hotels, or resorts so be wise and leave all the extra at home. So my advice for 1 week:
1 casual pants (jeans or jogging or whatever) and 1 sweater if you think you will shiver.
1-2 bathing suits, underwear for a week, shirts for a week, socks? ok...take 2 or 3 pair.,
2 or 3 shorts, a belt, the shoes you wear on the plane..... what more......repellent, medical stuff including any prescriptions, toiletries...I think you get the idea. If you want to have it, bring the essentials with you because you cannot expect to find in on Crooked Island. Better to be safe than sorry. In case of emergency there is always some one who can wash your clothes.
The hurricane season starts from June until November with September and October as peek months. We are not direct in the hurricane belt but in the past a few major hurricanes made some damage.
First of all the private planes. Pittstown Point Landings offers a huge 3500' runway (ready in September, at present 2000') where private planes can land. There is a small fee $...... we still need this info. From there on you will stay in the lodge or in a private guest house. There is no fuel and Customs on the Island. Then of course you can take the mail boat but I would not recommend this kind of travel. Well..... if you are an adventurer you might try. It is a long trip down there. About 12 hours or so. The mail boat is the United Star. Call dock master +1 242 393 1064 for more information.
They fly on Wednesday and Saturday in the morning around 8:30 am. So if you come through Nassau you probably will have to stay one night in one of the hotels. The ticket cost aprox. $210 for an adult roundtrip (25% off for child) and you can book
online at www.bahamasair.com.
They will first stop at Acklins Island so do not get out there.
Depending on what kind of holiday you booked, the lodge or my house, transportation will be provided. You will picked up at the Colonel Hill airport by the caretaker if you will be staying at my house and if you are staying at the lodge, they will
arrange transportation for you. In either case, its is a short car ride to where you will be staying.
On Crooked island there are 3 grocery stores. They have all the basic needs for you. Most food is sold in cans. But weekly the mailboat brings fresh vegetables, fruit and meat. If you want to have fresh items you will have to order them and get them as soon as possible if the mail boat arrives. Otherwise you are to late. The other thing you can do, and this is what I always do, is fax your order before your arrival to one of the stores.
Landrail point has a little clinic with a nurse. In case of emergency you will be flown out to Miami or Nassau. Always pack some standard items in your luggage.
The nurses name is Ms. Carol. She does house visit on Wednesday. On Thuesday and Friday she will be in Landrail Point and Monday and Thursday she will be in the clinic at Colonel Hill. Basic fee is $30 for non residents. After 5 pm an extra $30 will be charged. The clinic has all the basic needs.
I cannot say what will happen? But everything can happen.
The biggest danger is the sun. Always protect your skin and head. Use a high factor like 50. Even more important for children. Drink tons of water and be wise with alcohol. Walk slowly and leave the stress at home.
Crooked island has no dangerous land animals. See the wildlife section for more information about the animals I describe here. There are a 3 or 4 little snake species but they are harmless. The normal things like
wasp, bugs, you will find on Crooked,
too, but the wasps and stinging insects have never bothered us. There seem to be little scorpions too, but I never have seen one. Be careful and stay out of the bushes.
There is a tree called Poison Ivy that you can find in the entire Bahamas. If you touch these, your skin will burn for about 2 weeks.
Swimming under normal weather conditions is safe. There is no strong current at the beaches. Please check with the locals if you do not trust it. Do not put shiny things on your feet and hands and take off your watch and rings when you go in the water.
These items seem to attract barracuda although they mostly come over to look out of curiosity but just take this precaution.
Shark are around in big numbers. They normally do not come very close to the beach and if they see you or a boat the mostly swim away. PLEASE DO NOT FEED OR CLEAN FISH ON ANY
BEACH!!! Do this on your boat out on the ocean or on the dock at the harbour.
If the wind comes out of the west ( it seldom does ) and you are staying on the west side of the island there could be sea ants in the water. These are very tiny creatures that like to crawl into your bathing suit. This could give you a rash and it
itches for several days. If they are around do not swim or swim nude. ( if nobody sees you of course ) Ask the locals about the conditions.
Put shoes on if you enter the water and you are not sure what is under your feet. This is a general rule, not only for Crooked. Even if you see white sand a stingray can be buried under. If you wade the flats for fly or spin fishing, shuffle
your feet to walk and do not step. You could step on one. Normally they will be gone before you are near. They are gorgeous and harmless creatures but if you step on them you could get hit by there tail. THAT HURTS. You definitely will need medical care
after it. In some areas you will find the beautifull Sea Urchins. But if you step on these and my son can tell you this, you have to go to the medics. These spines you can not take out in one piece, they just break off.
Spear fishing is fun but if you do not know the area, take a guide with you or least go with another person. An extra set of eyes is a good idea. Do not think that just because you don't see the shark that they are not around. Before you know it you have 6 of them around you looking with very hungry eyes at your bleeding fish on the spear. Get the fish or lobster as soon as possible out of the water and into the boat.
Please do not be scared ok? Just use your head and be cautious. This is some general info I would have told you if would go to any Island in the Caribbean.
For me, my wife and my two little children Crooked Island is safer than crossing the streets here in Amsterdam on a normal day of the week.
If you are in the rare occasion that you are stung by a scorpion, stingray, or step on a Sea Urchin the best treatment is to put the part of your wound in the hottest water your skin can handle. This helps although the method is pain full. Do not cut your skin or tie ropes around legs or arms. This can cause infection and it does not help at all. Just seek medical attention. You will not die. It will hurt though. I will try to gather some information in English later how to treat.