Acklins Island Lodge
The southern Bahamas really begin at the end of the Exuma chain where the smaller cays curve into Long Island. From here south, many of the cold weather fronts that affect the famous more northerly islands of Andros, Grand Bahamas and Abaco lose their punch and dissipate into harmless cirrus clouds. These southern islands include Crooked and Acklins Islands situated just southeast of Long Island, with Ragged Island and the Jumento Cays to the southwest and Inagua Island even further south. These islands can often be visited in January, February and March when winds and cloud cover can shut down the more famous northern flats. There is no doubt that Acklins Island offers some of the best bonefishing in the Bahamas. Huge, white sand flats reveal, at times, staggering populations of bonefish. With the majority of the flats providing excellent wading on hard-bottomed, crushed coral and packed sand, Acklins Island is truly one of the last great, unspoiled bonefisheries in the Bahamas.
Angling Destinations was the first company to explore the island’s fishing potential. Over six years ago, we began booking a live-aboard yacht. A year later, we started working with a small inn on the north end of the island. From this, Grey’s Point Bonefish Inn, adventuresome anglers could now explore the island with a modicum of comfort and organization. Many of our clients have told us these adventures aboard our mothership and at the inn at Grey’s Point were the finest bonefish trips they’ve ever experienced. But what has been bonefish heaven for many anglers has been just too rustic and rough around the edges for others. This has been a real dilemma for us and has required a careful assessment of anglers’ expectations and needs, especially with groups where perhaps not all members “knew what they were getting into”. While many anglers were totally willing to forgo many amenities in exchange for good fishing, others felt they needed better guides and accommodations in order to fully enjoy and explore this island.
We now feel that this dilemma of a great fishery in, for some anglers, too rustic a setting, has been solved with the opening of Acklins Island Lodge.
This beautiful new lodge was built on a hill to provide both a panoramic view and a cooling, insect-erasing breeze. The lodge features 5 private, air-conditioned rooms with private baths and will accommodate 8 anglers. The clubhouse and dining room are nicely appointed with comfortable furnishings, a fly tying desk, full bar, and a wrap-around deck. A state-of-the-art reverse osmosis water system provides fresh water showers and clean drinking water straight out of the tap! A great deal of attention is paid to the menu, which features fresh grouper, dolphin, wahoo, and lobster.
Three Bay Skiffs with brand new engines are used by the guides. These three skiffs are very comfortable and deliver you to the flats with quiet speed. There are also two smaller skiffs with Johnson 25 hp engines, which are ideal for stashing in the “back country” for access to many secret spots. Finally, there will be by Fall 2003, a 22’ offshore boat available to explore the potential of the numerous patch reefs and coral heads or even the untouched offshore trolling opportunities for wahoo, dolphin, and tuna. If you choose, you can spend the day by combining fishing, snorkeling and spear fishing. You will just have to remember to take an afternoon break and picnic over freshly grilled lobster and fish on a deserted white sand beach.
We first met many of AIL’s guides years ago when we had our live-aboard catamaran in Acklins’ Bight. We found these guides to be knowledgeable, patient, friendly and always able to put us on fish. These guides will work closely with on-sight manager, Les Knowles, to insure that every detail of your stay is attended to.
So come south and experience a superb variety of saltwater fishing opportunities on one of the most remote and unfished islands in the Bahama chain. And while you’re at it, stay at one the most comfortable lodges you’ll find on any of the out islands. This place promises to be a real winner!
PACKAGE RATES/ PERSON 2007
Double Occupancy Single Occupancy Days Fishing / Nights
$1,260.00 $1,475.00 2 / 3
$1,765.00 $2,180.00 3 / 4
$2980.00 $3760.00 6 / 7
$2000.00 Non-Angling Rate Per Week
There are only two flights on Bahamasair into Acklins Island each week. These flights are on Wednesday and Saturday. Three-day trips run Saturday to Wednesday, and six-day trips run Saturday to Saturday.
The flights to and from Acklins Island do not always run exactly on schedule. Please leave plenty of time between connections, especially on your return flight. The Bahamasair flight lands both at Colonel Hill on Crooked Island and at Spring Point on Acklins Island. Make sure you are booked into Spring Point and that you exit the plane on Acklins Island and not Crooked Island. Also, listen closely to the flight announcements while in Nassau. Bahamasair often announces Crooked Island but not Acklins Island.
Beer and some liquor is available on the island. If you want a specific brand or blend, it is best to bring it with you. There is no tackle available on the island; make sure you bring everything you need. This is a very remote area and although every effort is made to provide all amenities and services, we urge you to bring a flexible attitude along with your gear.
Terms and Conditions
Your reservation requires a one half (50%) deposit to hold your space. This deposit is due within 14 days of your booking space. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be applied to a future trip in any following 12 month period. Final payment must be made 60 days in advance of the start of your trip. Credit cards are accepted; however, there will be a 4% service charge for the use of a credit card.
Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters acts only as agents for contractors or owners and outfitters, airlines, charter air, and ground transportation carriers or other services. Payment of funds for fishing and other Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters trips shall be deemed acceptance and consent of the following conditions. Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters or any of its affiliates or associated companies shall not be held liable for any loss or damages howsoever caused or arising from services provided by hotels or lodges, outfitters, guides, means of transportation or other services. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the traveling client at all times.
