NASSAU, The Bahamas — In the biography The Queen of Whale Cay, author Kate Summerscale writes that Standard Oil heiress Marion “Joe” Carstairs left London at the age of 34 to become the self-appointed ruler of Whale Cay, an historic private island located in the Berry Islands in The Bahamas. For nearly 40 years thereafter, Carstairs happily spent her days smoking cigars, racing motor boats and entertaining the likes of The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and legendary actress Marlene Dietrich.
Although Carstairs sold the island and moved to Miami, Fla., in 1975, her legacy lingers as do the homes and infrastructure she built during her “reign.” Today, the island’s nearly 12 miles of coastline continues to attract worldwide attention for its celebrated fly-fishing, big game fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving, but also the sanctuary it continues to offer.
“The Bahamas has long been known as the top private island retreat in the world,” said George Damianos, President of Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty, which has the exclusive listing for the property. “But it’s not simply the crystal-clear water and year-round sun that is attractive to investors, it’s the fact that private islands in The Bahamas offer seclusion and security combined with the ability to stay closely connected to the world. Miami is only a 30-minute flight away.”
Situated between the Bahama Banks and Tongue of the Ocean, Whale Cay’s total acreage is estimated to be 711 acres and includes a 4,000-feet paved airstrip which can accommodate charter flights and small private jets. Additionally, on the northern side of the cay, there’s a two-and-a-half-mile long natural waterway that, if dredged, could provide excellent anchorage and marina for boats.
“Whale Cay is one of the largest, contiguous, fee simple islands in the Caribbean,” Damianos said. “And with no Crown Land, the island is uniquely unconstrained for development.”
For more information about this exclusive listing, please contact George Damianos at (242) 424-9699 or (242) 362-4211 or via email at George.Damianos@SIR.com.
Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty has been an industry leader since 1945 specializing in the listing, marketing and sale of luxury and waterfront properties. With 11 offices throughout The Bahamas, Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty boasts the most experienced and successful team of real estate professionals, consistently ranking among the top producers in The Bahamas real estate industry
About Sotheby’s International Realty
The Sotheby’s International Realty network currently has approximately 21,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in over 930 offices in 69 countries and territories worldwide. Each office is independently owned and operated.
About Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty
Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty has 11 offices located throughout the islands of the Bahamas, providing unsurpassed market knowledge of Abaco, Eleuthera, Exuma, Nassau, Paradise Island, Ocean Club Estates, Lyford Cay, Old Fort Bay and Private Islands. Head office 75 Shirley Street, Nassau. For additional information, please contact 242-322-2035 or info.Bahamas@SIR.com.
