Shell Museum sponsoring a shelling adventure to Chub Cay
Dr. Gary Schmelz and Anne Joffe will be leading a Bailey Matthews Shell Museum-sponsored trip to Chub Cay from Oct. 27 to Nov. 3. This will be a rare opportunity to see the Berry Islands “up close and personal,” using small boats to visit remote islands dotted with beautiful shells untouched by human hands.
This will be a “last chance” type experience as the property will revert to private ownership in February of 2010.
Just to the northeast of Andros, on the northeastern edge of the Great Bahamas Bank lie the Berry Islands, a stirrup-shaped chain of 30 cays and numerous smaller islets covering about 30 square miles. Chub Cay, perhaps the most spectacular of the out islands, sporting white sand beaches, brilliant blue seas and a unique sense of tranquility, is at the southernmost tip of the Berry Islands just 35 miles west of Nassau.
The Berry Islands are best known for their proximity to the “Tongue of the Ocean,” a deep 100 mile long oceanic trench separating the islands of Andros and New Providence. The depth of the water drops from 115 feet along Andros’ east offshore barrier reef to over 6,000 feet. Marine life is prolific with an abundance of coral reefs, world-class billfish, bonefish, dolphins, turtles, lobster, queen conch, milk conch and nerites.
The cost of the trip is $1,997 for double occupancy and $2,347 for single occupancy. This price includes air fare, a room with two double beds at the Chub Cay Club, breakfast and dinner daily, pre-trip orientation, welcome drink, golf cart, access to three beaches, an infinity pool, a guided main-island hike and three boat trips to small shelling islands. You must be a Shell Museum member to participate and a passport is required.
For additional information or to make a reservation, please call Diane Orvis Thomas, the Museum’s public programs specialist, at 239-395-2233.