Exumas: The Director’s Cut...base for the Medellin Cartel in the 1980s, serving as a stop-off...
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Staniel Cay Yacht Club ▲ Curtiss C-46 plane wreck ▲ Thunderball Grotto ▲ Chat ‘N’ Chill Beach ▲ IF YOU GO BAHAMAS TOURISM www.bahamas.com CHAT ‘N’ CHILL +1 242 336 2700 www.chatnchill.com MACDUFF’S +1 242 357 8846 www.macduffs.net STANIEL CAY YACHT CLUB +1 242 355 2024 www.stanielcay.com Courtesy of Staniel Cay Yacht Club Wikipedia © Carlos Leder Mark Winder Scott Stolnitz ■■■■ SWIMMING PIGS, JAMES BOND-WORTHY CAVES, and tantaliz- ing teal water that many will argue is the prettiest in the world are just a few reasons the Exuma islands are some of the most popular cruising and charter grounds in The Bahamas. But their charms are not limited to guest enjoyment — if you ever find yourself way- laid here with a down day, these islands hold plentiful curiosities and diversions for crew. One way to see the well-trodden cruising grounds in a different light is to take a film location tour, scoping out the various sites that have starred on the big screen. Start at Staniel Cay, heading out at daybreak to beat the crowds at the famed Thunderball Grotto. A mere unassuming rock from the exterior, the hollowed-out island glows inside as early morning light filters through the crevasses in its ceiling. The cave earned the named after scenes from the 1965 Bond film Thunderball were shot here, and 007 returned in 1983 for Never Say Never Again. Snorkel around the fish-filled grotto, playing Bond in your own movie with an underwater camera. Thunderball Grotto also appeared on the silver screen in the 1980’s hit Splash and in 2005’s Into the Blue with Jessica Alba. Take the tender north to Norman’s Cay for more movie location exploration. The island was an important base for the Medellin Cartel in the 1980s, serving as a stop-off point for drug smuggling and homeport for hedonistic exploits. The real-life film location starred in the Johnny Depp movie Blow, and Depp loved the Exumas so much that he bought an island not far from here. Chilled with the new Netflix hit Narcos lately? Norman’s is also referenced in this TV show about Pablo Escobar, though anyone who has seen the show knows that they get the island’s style wrong, showing a jungle enclave rather than the low-slung, beachy paradise that is Norman’s. Remnants of its sinful past can still be found today, perhaps best seen in the sunken carcass of a Curtiss C-46 Commando airplane, which was carrying a shipment when it crashed off the island, and now makes an unusual snorkeling site. After working up an appetite snorkeling, head ashore for a burger at the famous MacDuff’s. Though the establishment has graduated from a sleepy beach bar over the years to something a bit more refined, it’s worth a visit for the delectable burgers and boat drinks. If you’re more inspired by swashbucklers, perhaps you’d prefer heading to another Johnny Depp film site. Scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean were filmed off Sandy Cay, near Little Exuma (not far from George Town). This sandy spit is accessible only by yacht and is the perfect place to pull up for an impromptu sandbar party. Break for lunch or drinks at Chat ‘N’ Chill on Stocking Island, perhaps enjoying the Sunday pig roast. Either way, end the day back at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club bar wetting your whistle, and if the timing is right, joining in the raucous fun of one of the club’s legendary costume parties (the James Bond Casino Royale soiree would be a perfect fit for the film theme), or have fun at the Cinco de Mayo, July Fourth, and Halloween bashes. No matter what, kick up your heels, down a cold Kalik, and unwind in the enchanting Bahamian Out Islands of the Exumas. DW Exumas: The Director’s Cut By Risa Merl DOWNTIME APRIL 2016 DOCKWALK.COM 76
Transcript of Exumas: The Director’s Cut...base for the Medellin Cartel in the 1980s, serving as a stop-off...
Staniel Cay Yacht Club ▲
Curtiss C-46 plane wreck ▲Thunderball Grotto ▲Chat ‘N’ Chill Beach ▲
IF YOU GO
BAHAMAS TOURISMwww.bahamas.com
CHAT ‘N’ CHILL+1 242 336 2700www.chatnchill.com
MACDUFF’S+1 242 357 8846www.macduffs.net
STANIEL CAY YACHT CLUB+1 242 355 2024www.stanielcay.com
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■■■■ SWIMMING PIGS, JAMES BOND-WORTHY CAVES, and tantaliz-ing teal water that many will argue is the prettiest in the world are just a few reasons the Exuma islands are some of the most popular cruising and charter grounds in The Bahamas. But their charms are not limited to guest enjoyment — if you ever find yourself way-laid here with a down day, these islands hold plentiful curiosities and diversions for crew.
One way to see the well-trodden cruising grounds in a different light is to take a film location tour, scoping out the various sites that have starred on the big screen. Start at Staniel Cay, heading out at daybreak to beat the crowds at the famed Thunderball Grotto. A mere unassuming rock from the exterior, the hollowed-out island glows inside as early morning light filters through the crevasses in its ceiling. The cave earned the named after scenes from the 1965 Bond film Thunderball were shot here, and 007 returned in 1983 for Never Say Never Again. Snorkel around the fish-filled grotto, playing Bond in your own movie with an underwater camera. Thunderball Grotto also appeared on the silver screen in the 1980’s hit Splash and in 2005’s Into the Blue with Jessica Alba.
Take the tender north to Norman’s Cay for more movie location exploration. The island was an important base for the Medellin Cartel in the 1980s, serving as a stop-off point for drug smuggling and homeport for hedonistic exploits. The real-life film location starred in the Johnny Depp movie Blow, and Depp loved the Exumas so much that he bought an island not far from here. Chilled with the new Netflix hit Narcos lately? Norman’s is also referenced in this TV show about Pablo Escobar, though anyone who has seen the show knows that they get the island’s style wrong, showing a jungle enclave rather than the low-slung, beachy paradise that is Norman’s. Remnants of its sinful past can still be found today, perhaps best seen in the sunken carcass of a Curtiss C-46 Commando airplane, which was carrying a shipment when it crashed off the island, and now makes an unusual snorkeling site.
After working up an appetite snorkeling, head ashore for a burger at the famous MacDuff’s. Though the establishment has graduated from a sleepy beach bar over the years to something a bit more refined, it’s worth a visit for the delectable burgers and boat drinks.
If you’re more inspired by swashbucklers, perhaps you’d prefer heading to another Johnny Depp film site. Scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean were filmed off Sandy Cay, near Little Exuma (not far from George Town). This sandy spit is accessible only by yacht and is the perfect place to pull up for an impromptu sandbar party. Break for lunch or drinks at Chat ‘N’ Chill on Stocking Island, perhaps enjoying the Sunday pig roast.
Either way, end the day back at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club bar wetting your whistle, and if the timing is right, joining in the raucous fun of one of the club’s legendary costume parties (the James Bond Casino Royale soiree would be a perfect fit for the film theme), or have fun at the Cinco de Mayo, July Fourth, and Halloween bashes. No matter what, kick up your heels, down a cold Kalik, and unwind in the enchanting Bahamian Out Islands of the Exumas. DW
Exumas: The Director’s Cut
By Risa MerlDOWNTIME
APRIL 2016 DOCKWALK.COM 76
