There is always so many things to do in always so little time. Unless your stay is exceptionally long, there is no way you can do all there is to do at Gems much less Long Island for that matter. Besides, thats quite often never bad news when you intend to do nothing but forget all that you have left behind. However, for those you would like to indulge in what Gems at Paradise and Long Island has to offer, here are a few things you can look forward to.
Deep Sea Fishing - Diving - Boating - Water Sports
Boaters are catered to by Hans Darville (Shavonne's husband), a native long islander, exceptionally skilled fisherman and diver, and an avid boatsman.
With dockage 50 feet from the hotel and a 31 foot Bertram (outfitted specifically for fishing expeditions) - sea lovers are amply provided for.
Those who do not wish to stray very far away can utilize the hotel's kayaks at a small fee to explore the area around the hotel, picnic on the beaches of nearby cays or coves, or fish in the vicinity of the blue hole which is teaming with marine life.
Snorkling & diving packages are available nearby for those who wish to explore nearby reefs. Beach combers and landlubbers will find that there is plenty of fish to be caught right off the rocks or the dock or they may want to try their hand at an old Long Island tradition - crabbing. Catering to the Family Island tourist is above all our main aim at Gems at Paradise.
Nightlife
For those who wish to venture out at night, entertainment can be found primarily on weekends. Two local bands play traditional Bahamian music - soca and rake-n'-scrape. "By comparison with many bands in Nassau who cater for both the Bahamian and international markets, the Family Islands are a stronghold of ethnic music, " claims Shavonne. The Forest, a restaurant & bar located five minutes by car from Gems at Paradise regularly hosts these local bands. Another club holding many local dances is Earlie's Hillside Tavern located just a few miles north of Gems.
Hiking & Biking
Sight
Seeing Sight seeing
is also highly recommended all over the island. There are century old churches,
which, without a doubt, are some of the most well preserved and beautiful
of The Bahamas' historical buildings. Historical evidence of a time when inhabitants
lived solely by the yield ofthe land can be seen in ruins of plantations and
colonial buildings, most notably an old plantation in Grays, the dungeon of
which was once used by wreckers hiding their loot from ships lured upon the
reefs. Another castle-like ruin, thought to be the summer home of one of the
Bahamas' early govenors, is located on a high bluff in Dunmore seven miles
south of Clarence Town.
Exploring
For the explorer, there are caves where evidence of the Lucyan Indians, first inhabitants of The Bahamas, has been found, and blue holes teeming with marine life - all within biking distance. Water lovers can jet ski over to neighbouring cays, spend all afternoon on a snorkeling trip or pleasure excursion by boat, dingy or canoe to the beautiful, long sandy beaches of the uninhabited neighbouring cays just opposite the hotel. Those who wish to further afield may book a bone-fishing or deep-sea fishing trip or even an overnight trip to the neighbouring Exumas.
Do Nothing
If all of this sounds far too energetic, then you may simply decide to plant yourself on Gem's at Paradise's private pink sand beach for the day armed with a book from our library, doing nothing more exertive than rocking your hammock or contemplating the multiple shades of the brilliantly colored sea.
Though there is plenty to do and see, what is most refreshing about Long Island and its people is the peace, the welcoming sense that if you would like to simply be - walking the beach while marveling silently at your footprint pools of slippery pink, lying in a hammock relishing the southern tropical winds as it gently plucks at the leaves of your novel - that is expected.
One of the most pleasant memories of your stay at Gems at Paradise may be simply this: The leisurely stroll into charming Clarence Town destined for the Harbour rest for a freshly made plate of cracked conch or grouper fingers, and a wander up the hill to St. Peter's Catholic Church to gaze at the inspiring vista of Clarence Town Harbour, and the brilliantly hued Bahamian shallows melting into the indigo depths of the Atlantic.
