Staniel Cay
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 10°09′N 26°21′W / 10.150°N 26.350°W |
| Archipelago | Exuma |
| Area | 13,880 km2 (5,360 sq mi) |
| Length | 450 km (280 mi) |
| Width | 200 km (120 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 700 m (2300 ft) |
| Administration | |
Bahamas | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 118 |
Staniel Cay is an island located in The Exuma Cays, a district of The Bahamas.
Staniel Cay is located roughly 75 miles south of Nassau and 250 miles of southeast of Florida. The island has a population of less than 118 full-time residents[1] and it is less than 2 square miles in length. Staniel Cay is inhabited by a small Bahamian village which lies on the western shore. The village is composed of residential housing, a church, a post office, a library, three small retail stores and marine supply shops.[2] Staniel Cay is protected by the Bahamas National Trust, the organization in charge of the conservation and preservation of places of historic interest and natural beauty in The Bahamas.[3]
History
Staniel Cay was established in 1783 when the American loyalist settled the entire archipelago of Exuma[4]. The island gained its popularity with the establishment of the the Staniel Cay Yacht Club in 1956, founded by Joe Hocher, a truck driver, and his partner;[5]The Yacht club provides accomodations for turists, a bar, a restaurant and organizes activities. In 1965, Thunderball Grotto, a limestone cave situated IN the west of Staniel cay, was the setting of the James bond film Thunderball, which gave the name to the grotto.[6] The island was also used as a filming location of a scene in the (1983) Bond film Never Say Never Again.[7] Staniel Cay has a small airport called Staniel Cay Airport[8], which makes the island reachable both by sea and air. The airport has been closed for seven months for runway repairs and reopened to air traffic the 18th November 2015.[9]
Language
The official language of Staniel Cay is English but every island has his own dialect. The idioma was influenced by the African slaves and other settlers. Therefore a lot of words and expressions have been maintained. [10]
Geography and Climate
Physical geography
Staniel Cay is located near the center of Exuma Cay. The island is located between Pig Beach and Bitter Guana Cay and is one of the larger islands within the Exuma Cays[11]. The island is composed of white sandy beaches, blue water, and a large variety of vegetation. ACoral Reef is one of the natural wonders of the Staniel Cay. The fastest way to reach the Staniel Cay is by plane. It is easily accessible by regularly scheduled flights, charter airplanes and private planes, because of its 3000-foot airstrip. It is also possible to reach the island by boat due to good anchorages for yachts[12].
Flora and Fauna
Vegetation includes palm trees, bougainvilleas, hibiscus and seagrape[13]. The island hosts a diverse range of red, black and white mangrove. Flora also includes sugar cane and tamarind, which are also typically served as a local dish[14]. Fauna includes the typical Bahaman Pig beach and Anolis lizard. The former is a small colored pig that swims in the sea with local people. [15]. In 1977 small groups of brown anole were transplanted in Staniel Cay[16], they are small brown and yellow lizards with black markings on their back. These small reptiles are 17-20 cm long and usually live in forests. Insects are their favorite meal. The waters are populated with fish and vegetation of all sizes. These include larger fish such as Sharks, groupers, barracuda, angelfish, and butterfly fish, down to the tiniest marine life, miniature crabs and daredevil shrimp.
Climate
Staniel Cay has always a very warm climate. In the summer the average air temperature is approximately 86 degrees (F). In winter the average air temperature is in the mid 70’s. Water temperatures are 70 – 80 degrees all year long.[17] Moreover cloudy days are often really warm and the precipitations are concentrated just is the warmer months, such as July,August and September. [18].
Economy
A larger part of Staniel Cay’s economic support is provided by the Staniel Cay Yacht Club and the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. Initially, Park laws allowed a daily fishery catch quota. In 1986, due to unverifiable pressure on fish, lobster, coral reefs, and other marine life, the Trust declared the entire park a “fishery reserve”. Scientists now promote such areas as one of the best ways to sustain fishery resources. The Bahamas is one of the wealthiest Caribbean countries. Staniel Cays economy is heavily dependent on tourism. [19] Tourism together with tourism-driven construction and manufacturing accounts for approximately 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs half of the archipelago's labor force. The park has become an important factor in the economy of the Exuma Cays through tourism, farming, coastal fishing, and public education.
Culture
Staniel Cay has a mixture of different cultural traditions rich with customs that remind visitors of the love for festivity and community. Bahamian music, from the Caribbean reggae to the rake ’n’ scrape, and island flavors give visitors a real taste of the history, life, and culture of The Bahamas.
The local citizens are enthusiastic to show off the island. Staniel Cay offers natural conditions for a wide variety of wildlife. Local inhabitants practice the bush medicine using indigenous plants for medicinal purposes that is a tradition that African slaves brought with them when they came to the Islands of The Bahamas. One of the most popular cultural festivals is Junkanoo, when thousands of people in elaborate and colorful costumes dance in the streets to rhythmic Bahamian music. [20]
Religion
There is no common religion in Staniel Cay. About 32% of the population of the Bahamas are Christian and Baptist. 20% belong to Anglican group and about 24% are Protestants, such as the Methodists (6%), the Church of God (6%), Seventh-Day Adventists, and members of the Salvation Army. Roman Catholics constitute 19% of the population. There are also groups of Jews, Baha'is, Muslims, Hindus, and Rastafarians and a strong Greek Orthodox community. Such traditional practices as Voodoo or Obeah are still practised in some areas[21].
Activities and attrations
Staniel Cay has a variety of activities for tourists and residents to participate in on the island. These include beach activities, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, kayaking, and waterboarding. Guided tours are available, and activities include swimming with pigs.
Sand Beaches
There are thousands of miles of white-sand beaches stretching along the Exuma cays. The shallow waters provide a pristine settings for a selection of activities available throughout the islands. These beaches have translucent emerald-green water and an abundance of marine life. Bungalows and villas are tucked into the tropical landscape featuring branded 4-star boutique hotels. This embodies the idea of seclusion, where even the largest resorts have fewer than 200 rooms.[22]
Snorkeling
Marine life can be explored by participating in a variety of snorkeling activities. There are miles of lush coral reefs around the Outer Islands of The Bahamas. The waters surrounding the islands are clear and shallow, making snorkeling easy for first-timers but still offering a variety of places for more experienced divers. The island is surrounded by shallow reefs within a few feet of the surface. Farther out from the islands, the waters are cluttered with thousands of shallow water sites, coral heads, and reefs[23]. Bahamas snorkeling is one of the more popular activities when visiting the islands because unlike diving, where you need special gear and training, snorkeling can be done by anyone swimming experience. Snorkeling activities are offered by most resorts, lodges, and hotels, entailing daily Bahamas snorkeling trips. Alternatively, one can refer to local snorkeling guides or choose to take an independent snorkeling adventure.
Scuba Diving
Staniel Cay and the surrounding islands within Exuma contain a wide range of scuba diving attractions, such as steep reefwalls, historic ship wrecks, coral reefs, and a diverse range of marine animals. Because of the clarity within the water, Staniel Cay and the surrounding islands offer good conditions for underwater photography and video. “Scuba Diving Top 100: Best Diving in the Caribbean & Atlantic” rated Bahamian Scuba Diving as the number one “best advanced diving locations of the world”. Furthermore the Exuma Islands were ranked third for the “Best Underwater Photography”. Professional diving operations such as “Staniel Cay Divers Ltd” offer personalized dive trips in the waters of the Exuma Cays using a 38-foot custom dive boat. PADI professionals offer a variety of dive courses, ranging from the most basic beginner lessons to more advanced specialty courses. All training takes place in warm, clear water, and is sanctioned by top certifying agencies.
Sea Kayaking
Adventure for the kayaking enthusiasts that wish to cover a larger area and see the famous Staniel Cay and the fascinating crystal water. They offer the largest fleet of ocean kayaks and are here to help you get up close with the astonishing Exuma Cays. [24]
Swimming with pigs
Staniel Cay is located in close proximity with another Exuma island called Pig Beach, officially known as Big Major Cay, which is an uninhibited island populated by swimming feral pigs. With a total of 365 islands, located south of [Nassau] and only 40 minutes from Florida, these pigs are found in abundance. Today, Exuma’s Swimming Pigs attract thousands of tourists each year.
The swimming pigs are surrounded by local legends. Rumors suggests that the pigs’ ancestors were dropped off on [Big Major Cay] by sailors who planned to eat them upon their return. The pigs were said to have survived on food waste abandoned by passing ships. According to locals, the truth behind the swimming pigs’ story can be traced back to the early 1990s. The pigs were said to have been raised on nearby islands until the locals decided move the animals. The pigs were relocated to the uninhabited island, Big Major Cay, where the pigs were left to roam free. As time progressed, the population of the pigs gradually began to multiply. Periodically, inhabitants of the nearby islands would head over to the island, pick the fattest pig for slaughter, and sell the meat to locals. As word began to spread of the island, tourism came with abundance. And with tourism came nourishment for these animals.[25]
The islands growing reputation inspired the award-winning short film [When Pigs Swim], the first documentary to record the origin of The Swimming Pigs. The film was directed by [Charlie Smith] and produced by GIV Bahamas Inc., appearing in five international film festivals.
[26]
Notes
http://www.scubadiving.com/photos/25-best-destinations-sharks-and-adventure
http://www.bahamas.com/node/52466#zoom=14&lat=24.83457&lon=-76.33404&layers=T0B00
http://www.myoutislands.com/bahamas-diving/overview
See Also
External Links
- Airport information for MYES at AirNav
References
- ^ "Exuma and Cays Population Census 2010". Department of Statistics of The Bahamas. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
- ^ "About & Contact - Staniel Cay Yacht Club". Staniel Cay Yacht Club.
- ^ "Historical Overview". The Bahamas National Trust Content.
- ^ C.Galanis, Philip. "The Islands of The Bahamas – Exuma". The Nassau Guardian. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
- ^ Blackerby, Cheryl (8 December 2012). "Escapes: Bahamas' Staniel Cay the quintessential island retreat for fishermen and yachties". Retrieved 8 December 2012.
- ^ "Thunderball Grotto". The Official Site of The Bahamas.
- ^ Roberts, Michael. "Outside Traveler - Staniel Cay Yacht Club". Staniel Cay Yacht Club.
- ^ "World Aero Data: STANIEL CAY -- MYES". World Aero Data: STANIEL CAY -- MYES. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
- ^ "Staniel Cay Airport Reopens After Seven Months". Tribune 242. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
- ^ "Our Language". The Official Site of The Bahamas. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
- ^ National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. "Staniel Cay:The Bahamas". Geographical Names. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
- ^ "Getting Here". Staniel Cay Yacht Club. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ "Flowers and Trees in the Bahamas". Plants in the Bahamas. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
- ^ "Bird Island - Flora and Fauna of the Exumas". Bird Island - Flora and Fauna of the Exumas. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
- ^ "Swimming Pigs". Staniel Cay Yacht Club. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ Linzey, Donald W. (2012). Vertebrate Biology (2nd Edition ed.). JHU Press.
{{cite book}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help);|edition=has extra text (help) - ^ "Frequently Asked Questions - Staniel Cay Yacht Club". Staniel Cay Yacht Club. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
- ^ "Climate Exuma Cay Land and Sea Park". Climate Exuma Cay Land and Sea Park. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
- ^ Morris, Catherine. "Sustainable Staniel Cay". The Bahamas Investor. The Bahamas Investor Magazine. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
- ^ "Bahamas Out Island Culture". Bahamas Culture. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- ^ "The Bahamas - Religions". Nations Encyclopedia. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
- ^ "Accommodations in the Out Islands of the Bahamas". Bahamas Resorts. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
- ^ "Snorkeling in the Bahamas Out Islands". Snorkeling in the Bahamas. The Out Islands of The Bahamas. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
- ^ "Out-Island Explorers: Kayaking and Camping in the Exuma Cays, Bahamas". Out-Island Explorers: Kayaking and Camping in the Exuma Cays, Bahamas. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- ^ Love, Bret. "BAHAMAS: The Swimming Pigs of Big Major Cay". Green Global Travel. Mary Gabbett.
{{cite web}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ "Swimming Pigs of Big Major Cay". Atlas obscura. Retrieved 27 November 2015.