For those of you who have not been to the Darby Islands, the following is an introduction to one of the most unique vacation experiences in the world. Imagine, if you can, being on your own 800-acre private island in a turquoise tropical sea. Add to the scene all the things you fantasize in this setting: hammocks swinging between coconut palms, a warm ocean breeze, freshly made tropical drinks served by attentive but discreet staff, and all your personal needs attended to with the utmost concern Leave out all the things you have experienced at other "exclusive" resorts. Like other people you don't know on your island. Or unknown footprints on your beach. Or someone else's music playing within earshot. Indeed, if there is anything we represent, it is the ability to control your vacation like no other vacation you have ever experienced. You may decide to fish, snorkel, scuba dive, windsurf, sail, bicycle, water ski, bird watch, backgammon, volleyball or horseshoes, or just shoot pictures. The Darby Islands are a bird sanctuary where you may find hummingbirds joining you for breakfast, as well as many species of wading and shore birds found nowhere else in the world year-round. Native orchids and bromeliads (air plants) cover the island. Red and black mangroves are numerous as are silver buttonwood, native seven-year apple, anon (sugar apple), and gumbo limbo (sunburn) trees. Or you may decide to explore our caves and 7,000square-foot castle. Experience the most spectacular beaches and coral reefs anywhere in the world. Go fishing in deep water, on reefs, or on flats, and have our 36' Hatteras take you there in style. Shoot a lobster and have lobster salad for lunch. Catch a kingfish and have it grilled for dinner. Pull up a few conchs and have fritters for hors d'oeuvres. Or maybe just swing from a hammock play bridge, read a book and sip a cool drink until the sun sets. You choose. SOME BACKGROUND INFORMAtION We are a group of five islands encompassing over 800 acres. We are located in the Exuma chain of the Bahamas about 95 miles from Nassau, 14 miles from Great Exuma, and 250 miles from Miami. Our two main islands are Big Darby (550 acres) and Little Darby (250 acres). They are only 100' apart. Little Darby is our showcase island. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful islands in or out of the Caribbean. The Darbys are a private resort operated by two private physicians from Maryland who are members of the Airplane and Owners Pilot Association. Darbyshores Management, the U.S. corporation, is licensed to do business in the Bahamas. It was a private retreat until 1987 when it was renovated for operation as a resort. The island is 1 1/2 long by 3/4 miles wide. It has an airstrip, 80' dock, and three miles of roads. Big Darby has a 7,000-square-foot castle, and both islands have a total of 13 beautiful beaches! Accommodations. As you enter the harbor of Little Darby approaching the 80' boat dock you will be thrilled about your forthcoming week at your own private island. Our passenger jeep will take you to the main house (70' x 70' x 20'), that includes a dining room, card room, living room, and sunken living room overlooking the exotic Blue Exumas. There is a full kitchen, sit-down bar, stereo and TV-VCR available. Our bedroom villas are situated at the highest point on Little Darby and provide a panoramic view of the Bahamas. These air-conditioned rooms are spacious and informally but tastefully decorated. Villa Darby and Villa Caribbean each have a queen-size bed and a private bathroom with shower, and each villa has an extra bed. Villas Gloria and Alena consist of double rooms, with two twin beds in each room, which share a bathroom and shower with the adjoining room. Our fifth and sixth villas are Villa Paul and Villa Breeze, and are one-half mile ride by jeep from the main house. Villa Paul has a queen- bed and Villa Breeze has twin beds, and both rooms share a bath. We have a staff of 2-5 who will attend to all your needs. They will prepare your meals, tidy your rooms daily, escort you to the beaches, show you the local sights, serve your drinks, take you snorkeling, or basically do whatever you ask of them within reason. These are professional, friendly, courteous staff who value your patronage. Their greatest rewards are the ear-to-ear grins they see at mealtime, or the look of awe on your faces as you come upon AJ's beach for the first time, or the wonderment of one of your children seeing a pristine coral reef teeming with more colors than even a rainbow can offer. Drug Enforcement. The U.S. and Bahamian authorities have an active drug enforcement program in the Exumas, including occasional surprise visits to the island by helicopter or boat. No illegal drugs are allowed on the island. If any guests are caught with illegal drugs, they will be responsible for any damages or legal expenses we incur as the result of their indiscretion. Communications. All electric power is by AC generator and is standard 110 volts, 60 cycle (American). Communications are by Cellular telephone or marine VHF. A medical air taxi is also available for emergencies. The nearest establishment in Little Farmers Cay is 15-20 minutes away. Other Details. Bahamas Air has scheduled flights from Nassau to Mosstown, Great Exuma for $60 one way. Darbyshores Management will pick you up in Barreterre, the northernmost tip of Great Exuma and transfer you by boat to the Darby Islands at no cost. Darbyshores Management now uses Mosstown, Great Exuma as our main airport for private planes. It has an 8,000' runway! Charters may also land on Farmer's Cay (2,000'), which is only seven miles from Darby or Staniel Cay (3,300'), 18 miles from Darby. Charters are available from Miami to Darby Island for less than 8 people. Scheduled flights are a 1 hour 35 minute trip from Miami to Great Exuma via Gulfstream International or American Airline's subsidiary, American Eagle. The fare is approximately $225 round trip depending on the season. Our tour operator, Norman Lloyd, will pick you up at the airport at Mosstown, and transfer your group to Barreterre. From there, Darbyshores Management will transfer you by boat the 14 miles to Darby. Excursions can be arranged to the Exuma Wildlife Park, James Bond's Thunderball Cave at Staniel Cay, shopping tours at Georgetown, Great Exuma or dinner trips to Farmer's Cay. We can accommodate yachts with up to 8' draft, and have 20' depth at our dock. Seminars and meetings can now be held at the Darby Islands. Three 5'
round tables, a VCR monitor with stand, projection screen slide projector
with remote changer and podium can be made available. Markers and flipcharts
with various colors, pointers, pads and other useful roofs can be made
available for your groups. Please send your specifications to John Greer.
Payment. To reserve your week, a 50% deposit is required. Final payment is due 60 days before arrival. All deposits are fully refundable until two months before arrival, after which deposits become non-refundable. Checks should be made payable to Unusual Villas and Island Rentals; American Express (with a 3% surcharge). Travel agents commissions are protected. Reservations. Many of our customers are reserving their weeks one year in advance to guarantee availability. There is a substantial discount for customers who reserve multiple weeks. Make reservations as soon as possible, for there is only limited excursion seats on airplanes going to Mosstown, Great Exuma. Unusual Villas and Island Rentals can make your reservations, or you can call your local travel agent. If you would like a package, or perhaps even several packages, of 4" x 6" glossy color photos (8) of Darby Island, shots of our 13 beautiful beaches, a 7,000-square-foot abandoned castle (once owned by a British espionage agent). a 70' x 70' x 20' main house with a 14-person banquet table, a sunken living room overlooking the Exuma sound, a card room with a wet bar, a 36' Hatteras fishing boat (The Darby Lady), scuba diving near a 2,000' drop into the Exuma Sound, spearfishing, caving, sailing, windsurfing, a bedroom shot inside the detached villa, a shot of our day trip to the site where James Bond's Thunderball was filmed at Staniel Cay (18 miles away from Darby), and many more, as well as 39 photocopies of other 4" x 6" shots, please send $10 for each entire packet. This shipment will be mailed within four days. If you should desire all 35 of the color 4" x 6" shots, please send $20 for each packet. If you make your check payable to John Greer, the pictures will be sent within ten days. If you keep a receipt of your package, John Greer will give you a credit for that amount for your trip to the Darby Islands. These pictures are only a small microcosm of the exotic lifestyle that you will experience at the Darby Islands. You can contact us through John Greer. John Greer's company Unusual Villas and Island Rentals Corporation of Virginia is our exclusive marketing agent located in Richmond, Virginia U.S.A. The legal responsibility of your trip is solely between Darbyshores Management and the renter of the island once the renter arrives at the Darby Islands. Any dispute will take place in the court of Nassau, Bahamas. Payment of liquor, a deposit on diesel fuel for excursions in the 36' Hatteras and runabout for trips over 2 miles from Darby may be made with American Express travelers' checks, Barclay's travelers' cheques or cash upon arrival. John Greer can arrange travel from your departure point anywhere in the world to the Darby Islands. He will inform you about documentation requirements, travel options, and any details of the Darby Islands you would like clarified. See you at the Island! Thank you for your interest concerning this Unusual Island experience. Open 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
johng@unusualvillarentals.com
Luxury Villa Freeport I, Grand Bahama    Can be rented as a 5-9 bedrooms - oceanfront with pool super beachfront villa with pool and fabulous staff of butler/maid and chef. On a mile long beach in millionare row, only 8 minute drive to the Casino in Our Lucaya, and 18 hole golf course. The villa boasts its own private dock, and has central air.
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