Hurricane Matthew hit The Bahamas on October 5 and 6, as a category 3 and 4 storm. In about two weeks, Old Bahama Bay Resort & Yacht Harbour on Grand Bahama Island will reopen.
Grand Bahama Island was hit quite hard. Hurricane Matthew made landfall along its western tip the evening of October 6. Within an hour, meteorologists clocked a sustained wind of 64 mph, with gusts over 100 mph. Freeport reported sustained winds of 100 mph, with gusts to 121 mph as the eye moved through. Old Bahama Bay got off lucky. This, despite losing electricity and water service. “Old Bahama Bay was fortunate that no major damage was inflicted by wind, rain, or storm surge to the condos or Dockside Grille,” says John Macdonald, president.
Come December 19, the marina and resort will reopen for business. Due to minor impacts stemming from the storm, the management renovated both the pool and Dockside Grille. There’s also a new guest shopping deck, featuring local vendors.
Old Bahama Bay’s marina has 72 slips, for yachts and megayachts to 120 feet. The depth at mean low tide is eight feet. Twenty-four-hour security and on-site customs and immigration also make it an attractive option. A fuel dock, bait for sale, and beachside beverage service also please guests onboard and ashore.
Also of note, Old Bahama Bay was the first Bahamian facility to receive a Blue Flag award. Blue Flag sites must meet strict environmental, educational, and safety standards. Furthermore, the facility participates in the Shark-Free Marina program. The voluntary initiative strives to protect sharks worldwide. It encourages marinas catering to anglers to ban the landing of any shark within their confines. Fishermen therefore cannot bring a shark into Old Bahama Bay for trophy or photographic purposes. Nor can they cut up a shark, whether for the meat, fins, or jaws.
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