Reel in Big Catches at Berry Islands

The Berry Islands string across roughly 100 cays north of Nassau with barely 700 residents, and the fishing pressure matches the population count—practically zero. Within sight of the Andros Barrier Reef, the water holds more than 160 fish species, yet you’ll share the flats and offshore channels with almost no one. This is the kind of place where the biggest decision each morning is which direction the tide is running.

Most anglers skip straight to the more famous Bahamian outposts, which means the Berry Islands stay quiet, uncrowded, and genuinely productive. Whether you’re after a blue marlin on the edge of the Tongue of the Ocean or a permit tailing across a sandy flat, this chain delivers without the flotilla of boats you’d find elsewhere. The catch is that access takes a little more planning—flights are limited, and the best fishing is spread across multiple cays that require a boat to reach.

Below is a quick look at the main fishing zones across the Berry Islands, organized by region. Each row covers a cluster of cays, what you’ll catch there, and how to access them.

Great Harbour Cay: The Laid-Back Launch Point

Great Harbour Cay is the largest island in the Berry chain and the most practical home base for a fishing trip. Its seven-mile eastern sand beach—known simply as Great Harbour Cay Beach—gives you a place to decompress after a day on the water, while the marina and a handful of resorts provide calm anchorages and basic supplies. The offshore fishing starts just north and east of the island, where the seafloor drops quickly into deep blue water, so you’re not burning hours of fuel to reach productive grounds.

If your crew is anything like ours, Michael will want to push north into the deeper Atlantic water first thing, while Lily and Ethan will be happier with the bonefish on the flats closer to shore. The Islands article on the Berry Islands notes that bonefish here average around five pounds, with potential catches up to thirteen pounds on the fly—solid enough to keep beginners hooked and experienced anglers interested.

Chub Cay: The Billfish Capital

Chub Cay sits at the southern end of the Berry Islands, fifteen miles from the Tongue of the Ocean—a massive azure basin that plunges six thousand feet deep. That proximity to deep water makes Chub Cay the undisputed billfish hub of the chain. Blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo all move through the channels east and south of the island, and the high-end marina here is the main departure point for offshore trolling trips.

The Islands feature on the Berry Islands highlights Captain Rick Murphy of “Sportsman’s Adventures TV Show” crediting the depth and fertility of the water for the size of the fish here. If you’re targeting marlin, plan your trip between February and April when the billfish run peaks. For a family trip, October offers better weather and the added bonus of peak bonefishing in the same region.

Northern & Offshore Cays: Remote Sport Fishing

North of Great Harbour Cay, a string of smaller cays offers the kind of remote fishing that most anglers dream about but rarely find. Whale Cay, a historic and mostly uninhabited island, sits where deep Atlantic currents pass close to shore, creating excellent conditions for trolling. Little Whale Cay, a private island nearby, draws tuna and mahi-mahi along its drop-offs. Sugar Beach Cay, Fish Cay, Gun Cay, Castle Island Cay, White Cay, Coco Cay, Bird Cay, and Shark Cay each add their own spin on offshore action—some with reef structure for bottom fishing, others with strong current lines where baitfish gather and pelagics follow.

These cays are best reached by boat from Great Harbour Cay or Chub Cay, and because they see minimal traffic, the fish are less pressured. The Kwalmag guide to Berry Islands fishing notes that Gun Cay, in particular, has strong currents and deep water where baitfish concentrate—ideal for trolling lines along current edges. If you’re short on time, prioritize Whale Cay and Fish Cay for the best mix of accessibility and productivity.

Central Cays & Hoffman’s Cay: Reef Fishing and a Blue Hole

The central Berry Islands offer a different rhythm. Here the seafloor rises into shallow reefs, coral ridges, and seagrass beds that hold grouper, snapper, and wahoo. Hoffman’s Cay stands out as much for its snorkeling as its fishing—pristine shores, turtles, rays, conch, nurse sharks, and starfish fill the shallows, and a six-hundred-foot-wide blue hole ringed by twenty-foot-high cliffs sits just inland. It’s one of those rare spots where you can catch a wahoo in the morning and dive a blue hole in the afternoon.

Leaf Cay, Rat Cay, Man-O-War Cay, the Crab Cays Cluster, Fisherman’s Cay, Ocean Cay, Sandy Cay, and Long Cay round out the central region. The Islands article on the Berry Islands describes Hoffman’s Cay as a snorkeler’s paradise, and the blue hole alone is worth the trip if you have divers in the family. For fishing, focus on the outer reef edges and deeper channels early in the morning or late afternoon, when the bite picks up.

Southern & Remote Cays: Solitude on the Flats

The southern reaches of the Berry Islands are less developed, less fished, and arguably more rewarding for anglers who value solitude alongside their catch. Whale Head Cay sits in quiet waters with minimal boat traffic, offering reef edges and deeper channels where baitfish concentrate. Big Fish Cay has strong currents that attract larger pelagic species. Flat Cay and Little Sand Cay offer classic shallow flats for wading and sight-casting. But the standout here is Bonefish Cay—a classic shallow-water destination with sandy flats, tidal channels, and mangrove edges where bonefish move with the tide.

If your family leans toward fly fishing, this is the zone to target. The Kwalmag guide to Berry Islands fishing notes that Bonefish Cay works best on rising tides when the fish push onto the flats to feed. October is the peak month for bonefishing across the Berry Islands, according to the Islands feature, so time your visit accordingly. For families, this is where Ethan can wade the flats with a lightweight rod while you work the deeper edges—everyone stays within sight and the action is steady.

Timing Your Trip and Getting There

The Berry Islands sit outside the main hurricane belt’s worst impacts, but the best window for fishing runs from mid-December through mid-April, when the weather is stable and the water is clear. Billfishing peaks February through April, while bonefishing hits its stride in October. If you’re planning a family trip that mixes fishing with beach time, aim for March or April—the weather is warm, the fish are active, and the crowds are nonexistent.

Getting to the Berry Islands

Multiple airlines offer flights from Fort Lauderdale to Chub Cay and Great Harbour Cay throughout the week, according to the Islands guide to the Berry Islands. Charter flights from Nassau and Paradise Island to Great Harbour Cay are also available. Once you’re on-island, you’ll need a boat—either a rental skiff for the flats or a charter for offshore work. Most lodges can arrange a guide and vessel, but book well ahead during peak seasons.

Gear Essentials

The research recommends multiple rods—9-weight, 8-weight, and 7-weight—with a 9-weight as backup. Bring at least two reels and lines suited for saltwater trolling and flats fishing. Polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and long pants and long-sleeve shirts are essential, especially on the flats where the sun reflects off the water. For flies, pack bonefish flies in sizes #4–#8, mantis shrimp and crab patterns for permit, tarpon toads or cockroach flies for tarpon, and needlefish flies for barracuda. If you’re looking for a reliable way to navigate the cays and track your fishing spots, a GPS smartwatch like the Garmin Fenix 8 Solar gives you charts, tide data, and route logging in one waterproof package—handy when cell service drops out.

Before You Go — Berry Islands Fishing

Do I need a fishing license for the Berry Islands?

Bahamas fishing regulations require a license for non-residents. Your lodge or charter operator can usually handle this, but confirm ahead of time. Spearfishing and lobster collection have separate rules.

Can beginners fish here, or is it only for experts?

The Berry Islands work for both. The flats around Great Harbour Cay and Bonefish Cay are forgiving for beginners, while the offshore channels around Chub Cay demand more experience. Hire a guide if your family is new to saltwater fishing.

What’s the biggest downside of fishing the Berry Islands?

Limited infrastructure. You won’t find tackle shops on every corner, and most cays have no facilities at all. Bring all your gear, spare parts, and enough food and water for each day on the water.

Are the Berry Islands safe for kids?

Yes, with common sense. The flats are shallow and calm, perfect for wading and shore fishing. Offshore trips can get rough—check the forecast and keep trips short for younger children. The beaches are uncrowded and easy to supervise.

How do I book a fishing charter?

Most charters operate out of Great Harbour Cay and Chub Cay. Contact the marinas directly or book through your lodge. Expect to pay a premium during February–April billfish season. Captain Experiences lists recent Bahamas fishing reports that can help you gauge current conditions before you book.

Fishing the Berry Islands Your Way

The Berry Islands don’t advertise themselves, and that’s exactly the point. A hundred cays, seven hundred residents, and more fish than boats—the math works in your favor if you’re willing to put in the planning. Whether you’re chasing a blue marlin off the edge of the Tongue of the Ocean or watching your kid land their first bonefish on a sandy flat, the Berry Islands deliver the kind of fishing trip that stays with you. For more on mastering the flats with a fly rod, check out our guide to bonefishing in the Bahamas.

References

Islands. “The Berry Islands Are an Underrated Bahamas Destination for Fishing.” Islands, 2024. ↗

Kwalmag. “30 Berry Islands in the Bahamas for Deep Sea Fishing.” Kwalmag, 2026. ↗

Captain Experiences. “The Bahamas Fishing Reports.” Captain Experiences, 2022. ↗

If you’re planning a wider Bahamas trip, our guides to finding secret sandbars and secluded beaches and chartering a private yacht for a Bahamas escape pair naturally with a fishing trip to the Berry Islands. For families who want to mix fishing with underwater exploration, our guide to diving and snorkeling in Lucayan National Park covers the best cave systems and reef sites in the region.