About the Island

Musha Cay Resort, on its own private island in the quiet Exuma chain of islands in the Bahamas, is perhaps the most luxurious and most private island resort in the world. Not only is the whole 150-acre island reserved for one party at a time, the neighboring islands have been acquired by Musha Cay’s owner and have been kept totally uninhabited. Further, the waters around Musha Cay are strictly out of bounds for outsiders. As a result, Musha Cay’s guests can go several days without seeing or hearing any boats or any other human life. The nearest populated island is over ten miles away.

Musha Cay is still quite new. The resort welcomed its first guests in February, 2001 and was quickly discovered by travel cognoscente and by individuals who want (or require) total seclusion and privacy, as well as the highest standards of accommodation and service. Musha Cay’s staff of 30-plus is prepared to cater to guests’ every whim and, perhaps more importantly, to anticipate those needs before they are voiced.

Being the host of a Musha Cay gathering enables one to invite 23 of his or her most valued friends or family. For a special event such as a fortieth birthday or a 25th wedding anniversary, or to celebrate a special achievement or windfall, Musha Cay is without equal.

There are five sumptuous but comfortable guest residences on Musha Cay, each with its own private beach, and each with spacious living and dining areas. Not only is the island itself secluded, each of these five residences provides remarkable privacy.

Location

Musha Cay is located in the southern Bahamas, in the Exuma chain of islands, about 85 miles southeast of Nassau. Less than three hours from New York and about 40 minutes from Miami, it is conveniently reached by private jet or commercial flights. After arrival at Mosstown Airport, Georgetown, the Exumas, it is just a ten-minute flight to the resort on Musha Cay’s own twin otter. Musha Cay also has its own helicopter pad.

Accommodations

Musha Cay’s five guest houses are designed in a charming Bahamian style, and each is painted in its own cheerful, tropical colors. High Point, the grandest, is fittingly on the crest of Musha Cay’s highest point. A 10,000 square-foot manor house, it boasts a soaring living and dining pavilion, two grand bedrooms fit for a master, expansive gardens, outdoor fireplace for romantic evenings, and a steam room. Pier House and Blue Point are also two-bedroom houses, more intimate in feeling. Both have wrap-around mahogany porches and their own private beaches.

Palm Terrace is a five-bedroom house, perfect for families, also on its own beach. Finally, there is the Beach House, which has become a favorite of guests who are incurable romantics. This is a one-bedroom, thatched-roof cottage on a particularly secluded beach, with hedonistic open-air shower and bathroom.

Interiors of all the houses feature West Indies-style design, with four-poster beds in master bedrooms capturing the romance and elegance of luxury living in bygone days.

Activities

There are endless things to do (or not to do) on Musha Cay, many of them centering on watersports: snorkeling, scuba diving, skimming the transluscent waters in sailboats, runabouts or wave runners, and fishing (both deep-sea and flats fishing). Richard Ellis, a native Exumian, knows the fishing waters better than the back of his hand; it is not unusual for guests who have never fished before to come back with 10-15 fish in one short afternoon of fishing. There is tennis on a championship lighted court and a state-of-the-art exercise room right on the beach. The pathways winding around the island provide walking and hiking options.

For swimming and sunbathing, there is a choice of seven sugar-soft beaches circling the island which collectively span three miles. And for what must be one of the world’s most private strolls, guests are drawn to the sand bar that emerges for a few hours each day. Unbelievably, they can walk over two miles into the sea, absolutely no one to be seen, the only sound the quiet lapping of water on both sides of this beautiful stretch of shell-strewn sand.

Indoor “sports” lovers will enjoy the cedar-paneled bar with championship pool table, as well as the adjoining library for conversation, quiet reading or board games. These, and the handsome glass-walled dining room, are located in The Landings, which is perched on a steep rise overlooking the resort’s main dock and the seemingly endless blue seas.

The staff is at guests’ beck and call, and will arrange for virtually any kind of special event. One favorite is an evening fireworks display. Another is having a special tent set up on one of the private beaches for a day – or evening -- of gourmet cooking out and fun.

Dining

While the dining room in The Landings is spectacular and has spectacular sea views, guests often prefer to eat lunches and dinner poolside/beachside. There is a thatched-roof open-air pavilion right next to the free-form pool, which is itself just steps from the ocean. Roasted pig was a recent hit.

Wherever guests eat, the fish and lobster they catch are served (if they wish) within hours. The local waters abound with tuna, Wahoo, dolphin, grouper and mahi mahi. Musha’s executive chef, who was trained at the Park Lane in London, enhances the fresher-than-fresh fish with fruit salsas from island-grown fruit trees, and other special sauces. There are no menus, since all food preparation is done according guests’ wishes; prior to arrival, guests are asked what their food preferences are, and special air charters are arranged to bring the necessary provisions. One group wanted, and got, dinners of ostrich every night, prepared in different ways to be sure. One special breakfast request, for a 24-egg omelet, was accommodated without pause. Exceptional and beautifully served deserts include a watermelon sorbet with pepper, and roasted banana with brown sugar and fudge sauce. There is an excellent, 500-bottle wine cellar.

Acclaim

While very young, Musha Cay has been recognized already by a number of the most discriminating travel and lifestyle magazines:

 

Rates

Island rental is $24,750 for up to 8 guests, additional (approximately $1,200) per person if more than 8. Maximum 24 persons. Rates are all-inclusive of all food and drink, including fine wines and liquor, and all watersports activities. Scuba diving and massage can be arranged, and are extra. There is a 5% surcharge to cover Bahamian tax and service.

January 14-21, 2006 and July 15-22, 2006, Musha Cay will be available to couples or small groups of friends who want to reserve one of the island's five sumptuous private residences. 

Prices for the full week, inclusive of all meals, beverages and on-island activities, range from $8,000 per couple in the five bedroom house, to $15,000 - $20,000 per couple in a two - bedroom house.  The one bedroom house is $15,000.