Staniel Cay

When you think of reasons to party in the former British West Indies, few are better than Emancipation Day. And few ways of marking the occasion are better than getting out onto the iridescent waters of the Exumas and watching a classic boat race like the Black Point Regatta. Running from Staniel Cay to nearby Black Point, this race has been gathering local sailors and their traditional sloops together for the past 42 years every Emancipation Weekend. (Why just have a day when you can have a whole weekend, right?)

Located on Staniel Cay, Staniel Cay Yacht Club is a great starting point for exploring the lesser-known cays. You can fly on a small Cessna Grand Caravan from Fort Lauderdale to the yacht clubs air strip. Once at the yacht club, you’ll get to relax in your own waterfront cottage with views of the marina and translucent waters. Enjoy some tasty conch fritters or the fresh catch of the day in their restaurant, have a strong glass of rum punch or explore the nearby cays and Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park in your own 13-foot Boston Whaler (each cottage gets their own). For a true yacht club experience, rent out their 75' Hatteras “Temptation” yacht.

Kalik, kalik, kalik, kalik. Say it a few times in a row and you might notice the name of this local brew sounds a lot like the clunky clank of the cowbell – one of the most recognizable instruments used in The Bahamas’ most famous cultural celebration, Junkanoo. When you land in Staniel Cay, swing by the historic Staniel Cay Yacht Club for a Kalik at the bar. It’s arguably THE national beer, though you also should try Sands & Strong Back, before moving on to fruity, liquor-based local beverages, like the Bahama Mama, Yellowbird, Goombay Smash, Gully Wash, etc. Need I go on?