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Andros island is the largest
of the Bahama islands, and while it sits just a short
plane ride away from southern Florida’s largest
city, it is mostly uninhabited and unspoiled, protected
from development by its shallow water shorelines and
lack of natural harbours. The island is actually several
islands separated east to west by the bights (curved
waterways), which provide access to some of the most
remote and wild flats habitat. The bights (North, Middle
and South) provide not only great fishing, but shelter
from winds that sometimes put guests at other lodges
at the fly-tying bench for the day.
The location of Mangrove Cay
was strategically chosen for access to mile upon mile
of prime bonefish water without ever having to trailer a boat or ride in the open ocean. The lodge sits on the east
side of the island and on the south shore of Middle
Bight. The site for building Mangrove Cay Club was selected
first and foremost with close proximity to numerous
flats in mind, and secondly, to give fishermen access
to the wild West Side. This legendary area is home to
some of the largest bonefish that swim in the Atlantic,
and is less than an hour’s boat ride from our
dock.
In summary, Mangrove Cay Club
sits poised to take advantage of the whole of the North
and Middle Bights of Andros island and the famous West
Side, and has channel access to the South Bight.
We began with a virgin coppice
and cut a road and beautiful setting out of
the rock and natural scrub. This in itself was a massive
undertaking. A great deal of thought then went into
the design of our spacious duplex cottages. We spent
time pondering what two keen anglers needed to be happy
and comfortable. The first priority was space, the second
was privacy and the third was minimal intrusion from
neighbours. For these reasons each of our four cottages is divided into two suites by a thick soundproof wall, and
separated from the other cottages by a screen of natural vegetation.
The eight suites accommodate a maximum of sixteen
guests which is a comfortable number to ensure high quality
of service. It is a short walk to the main house. As
one walks through the door, there is a small shop and
office to the right. Here you will find telephones and a laptop computer with high speed Internet access for your use. The rest of the main lodge is open
with a large bar and sitting area one end and dining
area and entrance to the kitchen at the other. There
are also bathroom facilities for ladies and gentlemen. The main house opens out
on to a large veranda overlooking Middle Bight followed by a few steps down to
the attractive wooden dock, where guests are picked
up by our guides each morning and dropped off in the
afternoon, and where many evenings are spent fishing
with a few drinks.
Our whole focus has been
on the comfort and convenience of our guests from a
functional fishing point of view. We are proud in our
belief that the time, effort and thought have paid great
dividends for our loyal guests.
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Once inside, one enters the sitting
room which is furnished with sofa and chairs and some small tables –
all ideal for laying out tackle and equipment or having
an impromptu party! To one side of the sitting room
is the bathroom with lots of shelf and hanging space
and a very large walk-in shower with plenty of shelving
for shampoos, razors etc. To the other side, through
double sliding doors, is a spacious bedroom with two
comfortable queen-sized beds. There are sliding doors
out on to the porch, which overlooks the Middle Bight.
It is not a problem to check the weather in the morning!
More about Accommodations...
Each bedroom is equipped with
a bedside table with a bright lamp, as well as a good-sized
hanging cupboard and chest of drawers. All our bedrooms
have air-conditioning. Each bed is made up with four large pillows
with a sheet, light blanket and tropical-weight duvet
allowing for a choice of layers for each guest. Each
room is supplied with drinking water, fresh ice and glasses every day.
All bathrooms have copious amounts
of towels, two waffle-weave robes, a hairdryer, electrical
outlet (electricity is standard US 110 volt), as well
as a full range of bathroom products.
With careful planning and attention to detail, we are able to keep our kitchen well stocked with the fine quality and variety of food and supplies that are available to us from Nassau suppliers. Fresh local seafood is the focal point of many of our dinner menus. Local fishermen really do pull up at our dock with their catch to allow our chef, Iyke Moore to make his selections. Lobster, grouper, snapper, conch and even stone crab claws all make regular appearances. Bahamian favourites, grilled entrées and classic cuisine are all prepared to Iyke’s high standards.
More...
Breakfast
Coffee made from freshly ground beans, and a selection of teas and juices are offered in the lodge from 6.30
a.m. onwards. A variety of cold cereals with fresh milk,
yogurt, fruits and freshly baked pastries (croissants,
biscuits, muffins) are offered along with hot breakfasts
of eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, grits and toast.
Lunch
Lunches are taken out on the boats, packed in a cooler
with plenty of ice. We invite guests to create their
own lunches from a wide selection, because as we know,
the best sandwich is one prepared by one’s self
with all the tiny eccentric likes and dislikes that
we all have. Lunch selections include a variety of sandwich
breads and rolls, tuna salad, freshly roasted turkey
breast, ham, salami or roast beef, with cheeses, lettuce,
cucumber and tomatoes. All of the condiments are laid
out buffet style to allow you to make your lunch to
your preferences. Freshly baked cookies and brownies,
fresh fruit and potato chips complement the selection.
When lunch is fried chicken and salad, this will be
packed in the kitchen for you. A jug of iced drinking
water will already be on the boat. Soft drinks or iced
tea complete the lunch menu.Dinner
Hors d’oeuvres are served at the bar during cocktail
hour. Stone crab claws, cracked conch (a Bahamian specialty),
grouper nuggets, crudités, and spring rolls made
with a variety of seafood are some of the items to regularly
appear.Dinner begins with a salad or
soup. Bahamian conch chowder and Iyke’s cream
of lobster are amongst the favourites of our guests.
In addition to Iyke’s repertoire of seafood, grilled
chicken or prime rib au jus are included in dinner menus.
All entrées are served with pasta, rice or potatoes
and vegetables. Our sumptuous homemade desserts, especially
Iyke’s key lime pie, are not often refused, but
a fresh fruit salad is the light alternative. To accompany
dinner, a selection of red and white wines is offered
by the bottle and by the glass. Dinner is followed with
coffee or tea, and liqueurs, cognacs and brandies for
after dinner drinks.
We are constantly seeking to
be fresh and innovative in our preparation and presentation,
and each year we make changes and additions to our menus.
Client feedback consistently praises Iyke and the products
of his kitchen. We feel this is the result of his high
standards and careful attention to the suggestions,
requests and preferences of our guests.
The thought that has gone into the building of the lodge
extends to the rest of the lodge equipment from rod
racks with freshwater hoses for each room to the boats
that we have on the water each day.
We researched the best boats
for our area taking into account the need for speed,
comfort and safety while travelling across large shallow
areas and some open sections of the Andros Bights.
Click HERE for Loge Equipment list
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