GUESTS

Below find all the information you need for an enjoyable excursion to Sweetings Fish Camp.

Getting to Sweetings from the States (Half the fun!)

We have tried just about everything to get to Sweeting’s short of taking a floatplane. It seems to always be an adventure and you need to prepare yourself for anything and everything that may happen. One of our members (Wally) actually made it from McLean’s town to Sweetings in the 8 hp Avon. We have chartered a plane from Lantana to our neighboring private island’s landing strip. We have taken a private boat a couple of times. We have used the Celebration Cruise ship out of Palm BEach and the “now defunct” high-speed ferry out of Palm Beach and Port Everglades. For me, Continental airlines via Fort Lauderdale seem to work the best. They have an early morning flight to Freeport and a late (5:30 pm) flight back.

Be cautious using Bahamas Air. It is a little less money, but we have had some hellish experiences with them when it comes to baggage handling and meeting departure schedules. Plane fare is about $300 and the cruise ship is about $200. When traveling by plane try to carry on as much as you can (luggage, wallet, car keys, etc).

Depending on date and time of arrival in Freeport, the driver will take you to the local Winn Dixie for food provisions. It is relatively expensive due to difficulty in obtaining stateside products. There is an airport duty free liquor store that opens at 9am (no Sundays) and prices are reasonable. There may be some staples at the house (cleaning supplies), but I wouldn’t count on much more than that. It is a 1 ½ hour ride from McLean’s Town back to Freeport. See below regarding eating on the island, as meals are prepared based on “catch of the day” only.

Items to bring

• 2 pair shorts

• 1 pair jeans

• 2 fish shirts

• 2 t-shirts

• Wind/rain shirt

• Bathing suit

• Topsiders

• Hat

• Wading Boots for walking the flats

• Sunglasses - Copper, Yellow or Purple

• Dob kit (careful with toothpaste - TSA will confiscate if carried on)

• Camera - charged or batteries

• iPod

• Passport

• Plane tickets

• Cell phone - bring yours, it may work (see Communications below)

• Chap Stick

• Sun block

• Insect repellant- there is some spray and mosquito coils in the kitchen drawer, but you may want to bring your own and you may want to bring a long sleeve shirt

• Cigars, lighter-filled

• Book, Playing cards

• Reading glasses

• Beverage - 2 liters of water, Jack Daniels, beer, wine

• Food - Granola bars, Snickers (contains 4 of the 5 primary food groups), tenderloins for grill

• Tackle - we have 2 spare spinning rods and reels in the supply closet, if you need to use them please clean with fresh water

• Fly fisherman - 8wt 9’ rod, fly box, 10# leader, Magnifiers

• Spin Rod fisherman - rod, reel (4000), Long shank hooks #8?, extra 10# line

Guides

Captain Phil Thomas is our Bahamian host and a partner. He will be your off island transportation and your go-to guy for any of your needs. He lives on the main island in McLean’s Town, but has several relatives on our island. He arranges your boating needs including bonefish guides, spear fishing, snorkeling and eco tours.

Lodging

We have established a $150 exit fee to be paid to Phil. He will arrange for cleaning and maintenance of the camp

Culinary arrangements

Herbert and his new restaurant is the way to go. He makes a great Bahamian dinner and will also fix breakfast and lunch. Complete dinner is $14.

Computerized Grill

This novelty was contributed to the fish camp by Brett. It is very simple to operate and by far the coolest grill I have ever used. Wood pellets are located in a greybag in the owner's closet. You fill the hopper on the left side, turn thermostat to desired temperature and flip on/off switch below. It will heat up rapidly and when temperature is satisfied the green light changes to an orange color.

Drinkable Water

All of our water is now purified. Back in 2010 the island installed and RO (Reveres Osmosis) plant. It not only cleans the fresh well water, it chlorinates and charcoal filters it. 30,000 gallons is stored back in the settlement then piped down the road. No one that I have spoken to has had a problem with it.

Air Conditioning

Comfort can be achieved by setting the thermostat at 78 degrees during the day, 74 degrees at night and 80 degrees when you leave.

Supplies/ First Aid

Besty place to look is in the Owner's closet.

Decor

You will notice the camp is a little sparse when it comes to the walls. Please feel free to contribute whatever you like.

Communication

BTC (An AT&T Company) attempts to provide cell service to the island.  We actually have a new cell tower on the island.  Careful – Roaming can cost $2.50/min and test is $.50/msg. Sometimes the house line (242) 353 2012 works. You can txt someone to call into it. Some rates from the States are down to $.07/min. There is also a wifi modem hooked up to it. The entry code is taped on the modem.

Entertainment Center

TV in Owner's closet. DVD player is in the TV Cabinet.

Rubber Electric Boat

This is another mode of transportation that we own. The boat can be carried by 2 guys and taken to the dock (please take care not to drag or bang into anything - it punctures easily). The electric motor and battery are located in the owner's closet . If the boat is deflated, the pump is located in the closet. You can fill all three locations in no time (maybe a good idea to carry pump with you, and make sure you pump up the floor). Motor runs a few hours at low speed and charges overnight. 

Other Recreation

Pool Table in purple bar - $.50 per rack. $2 per Kalick. Pool table at Herberts - $1.00 per rack, but sometimes he gives you a free shot of brandy.

Swim across the cut to the neighboring island to the South. If you walk 150 feet you will find a hammock.

In the closet are 4 folding chairs and a lounge chair. Set them up on the patio and enjoy morning coffee or afternoon sunset.

Sweetings Cay Commerce

Not a whole lot going on at Sweetings. We do have a couple of local churches, maybe 2 bar/restaurants (one indoor and one outdoor), and a few places to buy minor provisions: Mrs. Motts, Patsy’s and Herberts.