Staying at Shore Leave Cottage
Green Turtle Cay Communication and Connections.
We typically purchase cellular service on a flat rate, daily basis from our US supplier in advance of travel. Local phone service (land and cell) can be spotty and sometimes refuses to connect with U.S. cell phones. If you are having trouble, try WhatsApp, VHF radio, or call Taylor or IPM. They have pretty reliable service.
Internet service is provided for wifi access (50 GB; top-up can be arranged) the password is shoreleave
The Aliv wifi portable unit is next to TV. If not working unplug until lights on unit turn off then wait 12 seconds, plug back in. Wifi should reset. Don’t press power button. It’s tricky. If wifi does not turn back on the island internet may be down- please reach out to caretaker and she can advise further
You are welcome to borrow Shore Leave’s portable VHF radio. It is kept on the bookshelf to the right of the Murphy bed. Many residents, boating visitors, and businesses stand by on VHF channel 16, and if you listen for an hour you will learn the local customs for calling and transferring channels. Do not use channel 14 as it is reserved for the ferry captains and marina staff. We typically call on 16; once your party responds, propose a change to an open channel before conversing. Remember to return to 16 when your call ends.
It’s wise to keep an eye on weather and tides. Our go-to source is Barometer Bob
For Green Turtle’s bakery and restaurant specials, go to the Green Turtle Bulletin on Facebook or contact the restaurant directly. Most take reservations for dinner, and some will ask you to choose your main course. If you are looking for a particular item, ask if it is available on the island (not do you have it) Shop keepers know things :)
Health care. A nurse-run clinic operates in the New Plymouth settlement and the island’s fire department is on call for emergencies. A larger clinic operates at Marsh Harbor. Anyone with significant needs is flown to Nassau or the USA, so we always purchase travel insurance that includes medical evacuation.
Green Turtle Cay Volunteer Fire & Rescue: Matthew Lowe, Fire chief (242) 577-9068, Michael (“Mickey”) Sawyer (242) 577-4109
Green Turtle Cay Clinic: Nurse Hudson, On Call Number - (242) 810-7530
Green Turtle Cay Police: Cpl Saunders (242) 525-8686
For up-to-date information about services throughout Abaco, go to the Abaco Sun, www.AbacoSun.com.
Getting Around
The settlement of New Plymouth is an interesting, picturesque, and historic village with small stores, restaurants, and services. To visit the settlement, motor over, watching for channel markers as there are shallows near the harbor entrance and tie your boat at the public dock located inside Settlement Creek Harbor or on the outside at the small dingy dock near the main freight pier. A stern anchor is often needed to keep your boat safe and secure. Do not tie up on freight or ferry piers. This is a small community where good manners, on and off the boat, are noticed and appreciated. Watch your wake, cover-up in town, be respectful and kind.
Both Bluff House and Green Turtle Club maintain tie up spots for small boats who are visiting their facilities. Don’t block the ferry landings! Use a stern anchor to allow room for others. Show your appreciation by stopping in at the restaurant, bar, gift shop, or market.
If you have rented a golf cart, you will keep it at the Green Turtle Club cart area. From there you can follow the road into town or to the beach or if you want to really stretch your legs, and you have your hat and a bottle of water, start walking!
Ferry Schedule link Although we mostly use the ferry to get over to Great Abaco, you can ask them to take you from the cottage to GTClub or Settlement if you find yourself without a boat and need to get around.
Fuel. We supply sufficient propane for the grill and gas for the back up generator to meet typical needs for a week or two. Gasoline is pumped at Green Turtle Club (White Sound) and Sunset Marine (Black Sound) most days, depending on the season. Propane is currently being sold on Saturday mornings somewhere on the island. Confirm times and locations with Taylor Sawyer, our Caretaker before you head over with your tank. It is not uncommon for the island to run out of gas and/or propane so don’t let yourself run out before you fill up.
Trash: You must take your own trash to the settlement or club road dumpster. Only a tiny bag of trash can be left for Taylor at the end of your stay. Ask Taylor for the latest on town dumpster locations and possible recycling. We minimize trash by setting aside food scraps to feed the fish.
Places to Play. We usually take visitors to Ocean Beach, Coco Bay, and Gilliam Bay here on the island. You can easily walk or golf cart to Ocean Beach and Coco Bay from White Sound Harbor. Gilliam Bay, called Sand Dollar Beach by many, is best reached by small boat via the Sea of Abaco. Check the cruising guide maps and navigate carefully. We have a large plastic zip bag up by the guides to keep it dry if you take a guide with you on your boat. Many a small boat has run aground on bonefish flats and at the entrances to the sounds. You can also take a cart to Gilliam Bay - the path has been extended down to the tip of the island. Try not to get stuck. Don’t drive on the beach.
Trips to the reef or off island can be arranged or accomplished yourself when weather allows. Know your landmarks. Stay sober and alert. The north end of Manjack is very popular. Guides take folks up there to “pet” the rays and swim with the sharks. If that makes you nervous, stay off the beach shallows. There is some fun protected snorkeling on the point of land at the north end. Watch the current and tide.
To learn about the Abacos through photos and maps, and for adventuring to nearby islands, we recommend Steve Dodge’s spiral bound book, The Cruising Guide to Abaco (available in advance of your visit on Amazon and some bookstores). At Shore Leave Cottage, you are welcome to use what we leave on the bookshelves, including excellent guides to Bahamas reef creatures and fish.
If you are looking for beach and bay info - this is a good source - https://www.seaturtlecreative.com/potcakeparadise/green-turtle-cay-beaches-and-bays?fbclid=IwAR0EHuB9UaJB9ABc02nI9RuI-qm2_xqY5JOJqVvk4QVKGu4_C1CszCWXSpA
Amanda Diedrick’s hardcover book Those Who Stayed covers the history of Abaco and Green Turtle Cay with lovely art prints and historic photos. You may find it for sale on the island. From home, purchase it on the Abaco Sun website.
Strategies for Living in a Little Cottage
When we first arrive, we bring everything into the screened porch. We suggest that you empty your bags and stow your belongings. Clothes fit in the hall closet and shelves. Small personal items can go in the plastic baskets in the bookcases next to the Murphy bed. Shower kits and cosmetics go to the bathroom vanity. There’s space on the screened in porch for your empty bags, shoes, and rain jackets. Rain often comes down sideways in the Abacos, so anything left on the outer porch benches will likely get soaked if you aren’t visiting in a dry spell. Keep items close to the wall if they are stowed on the porch. Small spaces get chaotic quickly so a bit of time spent figuring out where to put things is time well spent at the start of your stay.
Porch Shelving Units. Not pretty but very practical. The shelves are good for sandals and shoes, empty suitcases and duffels, and small items for grab and go – hats, sunglasses, boat keys.
Porch Lockers. These contain household supplies such as cleaning supplies and a vacuum, paper goods, and games. A wet locker holds jackets, rain gear, and our family’s child-sized lifejackets and water toys. You are welcome to use and replace contents of the lockers. Woe to the person who fails to replace paper goods or other essential supplies.
Closet. There is a large hanging closet in the hallway with deep shelves above.
Bathroom. The vanity (with hair dryer) and medicine cabinet over the sink are available for your use. The medicine cabinet on the opposite wall contains the family’s supplies. You are welcome to use them if needed; please replace if you get the opportunity.
Bed. The Murphy bed is easy to pull down and pop up but keep hold of it so it doesn’t bang around. Some put it up daily while others leave it down most of the time. You choose.
Store pillows in the cabinet above the frig when the bed is closed. The rest of the linens just stay on the bed, using the straps to hold them, and the mattress, in place.
There are fold-up tables tucked into the sides of the cabinet for your eyeglasses, water, etc. Fold them flat before closing the bed.
Reading lights – clamp it the fold-down table or to a bed door.
Chargeables. Power surges are not uncommon on GTC so we recommend you unplug devices if you are not there to mind them. Always unplug when there is lightning and thunder.
And just like that, you’re home!
Kitchen Tips:
Our advice is to open every cabinet and drawer to have a look around. Duck down to view the back of the cabinets where some things are stored on shelves. We keep larger kitchen equipment in the screened porch locker - so if you are looking for a bigger pot, pitcher, or tray, check there. Otherwise, it’s pretty standard stuff. The electric cooktop gets really hot, watch it carefully. The microwave vent doesn’t go to the outside so don’t expect it to help you if you burn something. Open a door into the screen porch if that happens.
We have a small toaster oven, a regular toaster, a coffee maker, and a coffee grinder. If you don’t see them, look in every kitchen cabinet. It’s there somewhere.