Accommodations

The Delphi Club overlooks an idyllic beach called Rolling Harbour on the east coast of Great Abaco, about half an hour south of Marsh Harbour.

The Great Room at the centre of the house features an enormous dining table (which can seat twenty-four people), a discreet honesty bar, abundant comfortable seating and, again, stunning views from its many glass doors. With fine antiques and an overhead gallery full of fishing paraphernalia, the Great Room is full of character and atmosphere.

The adjacent library is well-stocked with a wide choice of books and features (with some reluctance) the Lodge’s only TV.

Six of the Club’s eight bedrooms are on the ground floor. There are two more on the third floor. All have lovely ocean views and there is a choice of super-kingsize beds or queensize twins.

Outside, the landscaped gardens feature bougainvillea, frangipani, oleander, hibiscus, ficus and a wide variety of palms and other shrubs. There’s an attractive infinity pool and patio with comfortable sun loungers.

Or guests can just completely chill out in the pool garden, on the beach or on one of the Club’s large verandahs, perhaps with a cool glass of Meursault, enjoying one of the world’s most pleasant climates and most beautiful seascapes.

Note that the Club is not a hotel in any conventional sense. Its atmosphere and the way in which it is run are more akin to a private country house party, elegant yet informal – and very relaxed.

Cuisine

The Club’s food is some of the best in the Bahamas.

The head chef has worked in several top restaurants in Europe and the Caribbean. His food is simple, fresh and delicious, making optimal use of local ingredients. And the Lodge has an exceptional wine list that is very fairly priced.

The Lodge is run in the style of a country house party, where the characters change from time to time. Everyone generally eats together at one big table from a set menu, with limited choices. There are no bell hops or room service – it’s just a relaxed gathering of kindred spirits in a spectacular location with the best of everything. 

The Fishing

Whether wading alone on the flats, paddling a kayak or poling gently through the mangroves in a guided skiff, fishermen will enjoy many opportunities to cast to these most powerful but stealthy of fish.

The Delphi Club’s guides are all experienced professionals and there will be few excuses for anglers not nailing a handful of bonefish from two or three pounds and up. While blank days can happen (in cloudy or windy conditions spotting the fish can be tricky), the bonefish are always there, year-round and feeding. And unsuitable weather rarely lasts for long.

The excitement and anticipation of bonefishing has no equal in the flyfishing world. Stalking these spooky fish in beautiful shallow waters, casting delicately to a cruising shadow and then trembling with tension as the reel screams out line to a fantastically powerful five-pounder is one of the most complete fishing experiences.

And visually bonefishing is a glorious enterprise, with diverse wildlife on the flats, stunning colours and frequently exquisite weather. Even if the fish are moody and disinclined to play, the whole experience of being out on the water, far away from civilisation, is deeply rewarding.

Bonefishing is a year-round activity, although it is generally best in good sunny weather, with not too much wind, when visibility is optimal. The Bahamas has a very benign climate throughout the year, with average monthly low/high temperatures ranging between 65 and 88 degrees farenheit.

As with any fishing, one can be unlucky with the weather for a few days, but cool, overcast or windy spells rarely last long in the Bahamas. Difficult weeks are possible, especially in the winter, and there are occasional hurricane threats in the summer. But for the great majority of the time the conditions for bonefishing are good or excellent

Gear and Equipment

Rental rods are available at the Club, as well as other items from the Club Shop.

.Rods - Bones: 9ft, 8-9 wt*®

- Permit/other: 9ft, 10-11wt

.Reels (with very good drag system)

.Lines (floating WF)

.Leaders (10-15lbs)

.Flies

.Poppers & steel traces for other species

.Brimmed hat (with dark underside)

.Sunglasses (top quality polarized, 2 pairs)

.Fishing pliers

.Snippers/scissors

.Small floating fly box

.Wading shoes (or old trainers)

.Boat socks (to prevent burnt feet)

.Fingerless stripping gloves

.Bandana/face buff*

.Small tape measure

.Band aids (for line burns!)

.Lightweight long fishing trousers

.Lightweight shirts, long sleeved

.Small waterproof boat bag

. Available in the Club shop.

. Rental rods are available

Recommended Clothing

Check list for packing

.Sun block (high protection)

.Sunglasses

.After-sun

.Swimming gear

.Rain jacket

.Light fleece jacket

.Bug repellent

.Antihistamines & after-bite cream

.General clothing

.A light sweater

.Medications

.Toiletries

.Spare spectacles/lenses

.Books

.Passport

.Driving licence

.Credit cards

.Cash

.Camera & charger

.Laptop & charger

.Mobile phone & charger

.iPod/iPad & charger

.US plug adaptors

.Travel insurance documents

.Air tickets

. All relevant contact numbers

Traveling Here

Abaco is easily reached by air. There are regular direct flights, often more than once a day, into Marsh Harbour from the following destinations.

Nassau – Bahamasair & SkyBahamas

Miami – American Eagle

Fort Lauderdale – Silver Airways

West Palm Beach – Silver Airways & Bahamasair

Orlando – Silver Airways

White Plains, NY – Wild Cat Touring (regular charter, twice a week)

All these options allow great connectivity with all the major US airlines’ domestic networks. Most flights are under one hour in duration.

From Europe, there are regular transatlantic flights into both Nassau and Miami. British Airways flies from London to Nassau five times a week, while there are daily flights to Miami by BA, American and Continental or, four times a week, by Virgin.

Activities

For both anglers and non anglers alike, there is a wide array of extra activities to enjoy and make the most of your visit.

Abaco is one big unspoilt wilderness, with pristine seascapes, virgin forests, a fascinating history, tremendous wild life and a vibrant colonial heritage. It is unspoilt by mass tourism and yet it’s a thoroughly civilised island with good infrastructure, plentiful air links, friendly people and a wide variety of activities for the restless, the curious and the bone idle.

FOR THE RESTLESS

.Scuba diving over wonderful reefs

.2-mile jogging circuit through the woods

.1.5-mile beach walk

.Guided snorkeling trips

.Body-boarding on the Club beach

.Sea kayaks on the Club beach

.Golf at Treasure Cay and maybe Winding Bay

FOR THE CURIOUS

.Boat charters to the colonial settlements on the outer cays

.Ferry trips to Hope Town or Green Turtle Cay

.Day trips to the famous beach at Treasure Cay for lunch at Treasure Sands

.Guided birding nature tours by minivan (limited walking)

.Shopping and lunch in Marsh Harbour

.Scuba lessons

.Birdwatching – everywhere

.Snorkelling off the Club beach

.Private sailboat and powerboat charters

.Offshore sportfishing charters

.Private flyfishing tuition 

.Self-drive trips in the Club car

FOR THE IDLE

.Lunch at Pete’s Beach Bar & Gallery (30 mins)

.Lounging by the pool (heated when necessary)

.Massage in your room by a brilliant masseuse

.A very well-stocked & eclectic library

.Miles of beachcombing on beautiful sandy beaches

.Multi-channel satellite TV in the library

.Universal free wi-fi and guest computer/printer

.Sun beds on the all-but-private beach

…and there’s a very well-stocked bar & wine cellar

Extra charges apply to some activities and bookings ahead of time may be needed. Some activities/trips may be subject to sea conditions.