I know this is an Abaco Board...

[Shelby]

but does anyone know if a similar thing exists for Cat Island? My partner and I are heading there over the Christmas holidays and we need some information about the general safety of the island.

We had heard nothing but positive things about Cat Island, but I've come across one former resort owner who's spreading information on the Net about all sorts of crime, corruption and murder on the island. He makes it sound as if you're taking your life in your hands to go there. I'm pretty sure it's just fear mongering (after all, he is hawking a book, and for all the positive input we've heard about Cat Island, his is the only negative!) but I have to admit, I'm now a little concerned for our safety.

I know that there's a certain amount of crime everywhere -- we've spent quite a bit of time in Nassau! But we were hoping for a safe, peaceful experience! I'm going to speak to the resort we're booked at, but I can't imagine they'll come clean if there is some sort of problem...

If anyone has any info they can provide, or knows of any sort of Cat Island bulletin boart where we could go for information from folks who know and love it as much as you all love Abaco, I'd much appreciate it.

Thanks for listening!

Shelby

[AbacoPeach]

That's probably Harald who has this weird hate obession with the Bahamas. Just ignore it. There is a great trip report by Eva H. about her trip to Cat Island on Travel Talk Online (traveltalkonline.com). Just go to the "Caribbean Forum."

[Eva H.]

Thanks, Peach, for touting my report. I do indeed have a report of my 2004 trip to Cat Island in the General Caribbean section of www.traveltalkonline.com (http://www.traveltalkonline.com/). And a report of my 2003 trip is on my webpage at www.homestead.com/islandtime/MainPage1.html (http://www.homestead.com/islandtime/MainPage1.html). I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Shelby, I am a big fan of Cat Island. In fact, I've just been back from my last trip for a mere three weeks, so the memories are still fresh.

In any event, it sounds like your concerns are prompted by some rantings of the former owners of the Cutlass Bay Club. While there is undoubtedly a kernel of truth to the events they (claim to have) suffered, I'm sure there is a lot more to the story that isn't told. Whatever the truth is, these events happened several years ago, and would have absolutely no impact on your visit.

As for general safety, I can hardly think of a safer destination in the entire West Indies. We never locked a door during our visits, and there is never a need to (we never even had a key to our cottage at Fernandez Bay Village). While we certainly didn't leave anything valuable in plain sight (not that we had anything other than cameras and some cash), I hardly felt like it was necessary. While the people of the island seem poor by USA standards, there is nothing of the resentful attitude you may encounter elsewhere. On an island with a population of a few thousand, everyone pretty much knows everyone else, and there is no incentive to commit crime nor any ability to get away with it.

This is not to say that Cat Island is crime-free. Bad stuff happens everywhere from time to time, and you can't let down your guard completely. However, aside from other Out Islands, I've never felt as safe and secure on an island as I've felt on Cat Island.

Enjoy your trip!

[Baltimore Bob]

To my knowledge no board exists on Cat Island similiar to the Abaco Board.

We spent two weeks on Cat this past June just south of Arthur's Town in Bennett's Harbour. As Eva stated, the island population is small and everyone knows everyone else. The owner of the grocery store even knew where we were staying from the car that we were driving. Felt perfectly safe on the island. I suspect any negative comments on the internet are in reference to Cutlass Bay Club also.

I would be cautious during times when there are a high number of visitors such as the 'Rake N' Scrape' festival and Regatta. Otherwise just exercise normal precautions.

[Shelby]

Thanks, folks for your comment. We're feeling a whole lot better about the situation. You're right -- crime is everywhere... and if we've successfully navigated Nassau for years, we should be able to handle Cat Island. Thanks for helping to put our mind at ease!