WalkercCayAbaco.com

WALKERS CAY - The TOP of the BAHAMAS
From Sandy Estabrook's Guide to the Abacos, Bahamas



Walkers as seen from the southeast

Walkers Cay was the first island stop of my first trip to the Abacos by boat back in '93, fittingly 20 years after my first visit to Green Turtle Cay in '73. The 80's & early 90's were the days when Walkers was in it's heyday. Jet-setters would fly in on their Lear Jets (on a short runway) for a days fishing on their yachts. Some didn't make it as a burnt fuselage or two line runway.

The resort stood high on the cay with a magnificent views west and south. With the exception of the Customs office, it is basically the only thing on the island. Customs were needed for the fly-in folks along with those boaters bypassing West End. Walkers provided guest rooms, restaurant and bar and a large pool. In addition to the marina there was a dive shop of some repute. The resort was originally developed by Robert H. Abplanalp the inventor of the "clog-free" spray valve used in today's aerosol spray cans. He was also a friend & Confidant of President Nxon

The Cay's reputation on the top of the Bahamas was world wide. There were numerous tournaments here through out the year, including the prestigious , by invitation only, "Shootout" between Hatteras and Bertram owners. (Some folks may remember the "Walker's Cay Chronicles" on ESPN2 back in the day.)

The Shootout's organizers moved to Boat Harbour Marina in Marsh Harbour in '96. Without the prestige and luster the Shootout brought to the island, Walkers slipped into decay. Then the double whammy by Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in '04, put the finishing touches on ithe resorts already worsening state, and the resort closed.

The Customs office remains open till this day as its is needed to service the needs of the fishing settlement of the adjacent Island of Grand Cay. At one time a good many of the native folks worked at Walkers but now have returned to the sea for a livelihood.

Since Walkers closing rumors persisted of it reopening and or new investors in the resort. It wasn't until late summer of 2010 that these rumors bore some credibility, (1), (2). This writer wonders in these difficult times, and what seems to be over development in the Abacos, if this project will come to fruition. I'll be standing by.
NEWS FLASH 9/28/10

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I chronicled my first trip by boat aboard my 29' Phoenix SF, here is a a couple lines from my log.

"............. while exploring the island we hit upon a tropical fish farm where they bred of Clown Fish (later to be known as Nemo's) for the tropical fish market. A caretaker invited us in for a look inside.......... Walking back to the resort along Walker's runway we came across a melted Lear Jet in the trees at the side of the runway. Yes, melted, parts of which looked like silver puddles in the rocks. The melted aluminum I presume...."

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Returning from Shootout