ABOUT RUM CAY IN THE ISLANDS OF THE BAHAMAS


WHERE IS RUM CAY? HOW BIG IS IT?
Situated roughly 20 miles east of Cape Santa Maria and 20 miles southwest of San Salvador, the island of Rum Cay covers about 36 square miles – the islands dimensions are approximately 9 miles long and 5 miles at it’s widest point. The topography of Rum Cay is mostly flat with several sequences of rolling hills, none more than 120 feet in elevation.


RUM CAY – A LITTLE ISLAND HISTORY
Historians write that Rum Cay was originally known as Santa Maria de la Concepcion – so named by Christopher Columbus, the island was most likely renamed Rum Cay by virtue of a shipwrecked West Indies vessel laden with none other than a cargo of Rum! Once a thriving island community whose chief export was salt – mined specifically for the cod fishing fleets of Nova Scotia – Rum Cay’s once prosperous economy succumbed to hurricanes in 1908 and 1926. For years following those devastating storms, pineapples became the chief export with cattle farming operations running a close economic second. Peak population occurred during the salt mining era when somewhere in the neighborhood of 5,000 people inhabiting Rum Cay. Today, fewer than 80 folks call Rum Cay home, most in the Port Nelson area where Relentless Sport Fishing and the Coral House are located.
WHAT FACILITIES ARE IN RUM CAY?
Sumner Point marina is our base. Our private dock is directly behind the Coral House along a closed canal at the end of the marina. Two approaches service Sumner Point marina and are well marked but require watchful eyes to avoid coral heads and shallow sandbars. The dock at Sumner Point offers dockage, moorings, fuel, electricity and ice. Gas golf carts are available for $60/day from Josie's Jalopies.


The town of Port Nelson has a small store, a few restaurants and bars (there's even a pool table). These little haunts are fun places to sample laid-back island life while making new friends. If you opt to try one of the restaurants it’s best to call ahead, normal business hours mean little here.