Off the southeast coast of Eleuthera is the 70 mile long Cat Island. Approximately 325 miles from Miami it is a quiet, sleepy family island. Cat Island is full of hills and boasts the highest elevation of the Bahamas. The highest point is 200 feet above sea level and it is brimmed with cliffs as well as tropical forests. This island has much deeper soil than most of the other islands of The Bahamas, which is actually tops of sand dunes from ancient plains. Plants and animals are typical of the West Indies and mainly migrated from the same. The population is approximately 1,700.

It is believed that Cat Island was discovered by Columbus and was initially named San Salvador. Thereafter the name was changed by Parliament to Cat Island, after Arthur Catt a buccaneer who buried treasure there.

This island is unspoiled by modernization on a whole and is covered with churches offering interesting architecture. Monsignor John Hawes designed four himself, two of which are said to be his finest works, one being at the highest point on the Island. Sightseers must not miss Mount Alvernia on top of Corner Hill and should also make a point of seeing Devaux House plantation and outbuildings.

American Loyalists tried unsuccessfully to establish a series of plantations in the 1700s: the ruins of their plantation Great Houses still dot the area.

Cat Island is extremely fertile and residents make a living from the traditional slash-and-burn farming method. Cascarilla bark is gathered and shipped to Italy where it becomes a main ingredient in medicines, scents and the Italian aperitif called Campari.

Cat Islanders are very mystical in their beliefs of Obeah, or Obi, culture-a mild form of white witchcraft or voodoo.

Sidney Poitier, a Bahamian, is from Cat Island. He was born in Miami as his parents had visited there at the time of his birth. He had very little formal education and moved to Miami at the age of 15 to live with his brother. His poor treatment as a black man in the racial United States was a shock after coming from a majority black country and led him to strive to find and make opportunities for other blacks.

There are breathtaking beaches, caves, ruins, ancient camp sites, coral reefs and much more which remains unspoiled by modernization. This is a haven to explore. The seas around Cat Island abound with fish, crawfish, sea turtles, reefs and offer so much.

Map of Cat Island

Information courtesy of: www.thebahamian.com