Sandy Cay, also known as the Honeymoon Island, is a three acre island, four miles from Paradise Island, and one mile from Rose Island, located in the Sea of Abaco. It is one of the most iconic islands in the Bahamas, Sandy Cay was featured in the trailer for Gilligan’s Island, and became the definition of an idyllic getaway.
In 1929, Beaman Gates Dawes, brother of the United States Ambassador to Great Britain, was granted ownership of the island. Beaman and his wife, Bertie, planted trees, shrubs and flowers, as well as a house and well.
On 10 December 1959, Beaman’s son, Henry eventually purchased Sandy Cay under special authorisation from the Supreme Court of the Bahamas. During his time, he landscaped the island while undertaking botanical research.
The island continued to purchased and sold by families until 1978, where it remains owned as fee simple.
Postcards
1953 – Mardon, Son & Hall Ltd (No.40-70)
1965 – Calypso Distributors Ltd (P52200 Series – Type B)
1971 – Dexter Press Inc (DT-63900-D Series – Type C)
References
- Gilligan’s Isle
- Sandy Cay – John C Deinhardt