LITTLE HARBOUR CAY ISLAND HISTORY

It's an ill wind that blows nobody good, and this is exactly what happened at Little Harbour Cay, Berry Islands, Bahamas. Chester Darville and his family rode out hurricane Andrew in the settlement that was originally founded by his grandparents. The original houses were built in the late 1930's and the early 40's by the founding families to their own ideas, without plans, much like early American settlers. These houses, that were kept in good repair, escaped the fury of Andrew, unscathed. In the late 1980's several new houses were built in the village, by licensed builders from Nassau. They were all totally destroyed by Andrew. Unfortunately, Chester had decided to ride out the hurricane, with his family, in one of the new houses, instead of the older, tried and proven original houses built by his father. As the entire roof blew off, in one piece, walls began to blow away, the entire family retreated to the bathroom to ride out the rest of the blow. Not much different from the experiences reported from south Dade County, but at this point the story changes.

About a year and a half prior to the hurricane, Chester Darville had obtained a license to operate a bar and restaurant at Little Harbour, but like so many of us, he never got started on his "dream." The experience of Andrew built a fire under him, and he decided that this was going to be the first day of the rest of his life, a new life, without procrastination. He would clean up the wreckage of the village, and build his "dream," a bar and restaurant high up on a hill overlooking one of the prettiest and most picturesque harbours on the Bahamas. By early June 1993, Chester, with the help of a visiting yachtsman, had the frames up and was starting with the roof. He built several picnic tables, all equipped with colorful umbrellas, and is now serving very tasty meals under the stars. Food and service are excellent and everyone is welcome.

Chester is a volunteer of BASRA - the Bahama Air Sea Rescue Association - and always stands by on VHF Ch. 68 to be of service to visiting yachtsman. He is also an excellent pilot, fishing and snorkeling guide and is a very happy and cheerful person always ready to make your visit to Little Harbour a most enjoyable experience. His hospitality is hard to find anywhere today, and is very refreshing. 

Boats drawing over three feet will have to wait on the tide to get into the harbour, and Chester is always happy to go out and meet you and pilot you in on the appropriate tide. 

Any cruise to the Berry Islands would be incomplete without a visit to Flo's Conch Bar and Restaurant at Little Harbour. Chester named the restaurant after his mother - the cook - Florence.