It’s A Brand New Day Since 1958, the lure of Deep Water Cay has been some of the best bonefishing anywhere. Now, with this iconic resort and fishing lodge entering the final stages of a multi-million dollar transformation, visitors who have been drawn to Deep Water Cay for world-class bonefishing will discover new reasons to visit.
Enhancements have been made to the island lodge, the Blue Hole Bar & Grill, and the West End Cottages — a select group of newly-built guest accommodations. It’s all part of Deep Water Cay’s evolution toward casual luxury with 5-star service and amenities and with its fishing roots firmly in place.
In fact, the bonefishing here continues to draw some of the world’s top fishermen. But with new renovations, first-class dining options, and a comprehensive dive program, the resort is ushering in a new level of sophistication. Here’s to the next chapter in Deep Water Cay’s story.
Deep Water Cay’s rich heritage is reflected in an amazing makeover Built decades ago, the lodge at Deep Water Cay has a history of adventure steeped into its very timbers. Listen closely and you’ll catch the echo of a thousand “fish tales” drifting down from the rafters. For half a century, anglers have related the day’s events with grand embellishment over dinners of just-caught fish, lobster, conch, and frosted mugs of brew. Lifelong friendships have been minted and renewed within the lodge’s walls.
With a remarkable renovation led by interior designer Allison Elebash, guests will enjoy decor that marries the history of Deep Water Cay and the casual luxury of the Bahamas. Allison’s work has focused on many of the island’s amenities and accommodations such as the West End Cottages, the Drake House residence and the lodge — including the pool and gaming room and the Blue Hole Bar and Grill. The stylish spaces reflect both a contemporary sensibility and a respectful nod
to the traditions and legacies of past guests and bygone times. First-time visitors will be charmed by the nautical tones, comfortable appointments, and unmatched vistas while returning guests can spend hours browsing the framed vintage photos of iconic fisherman like Curt Gowdy, Flip Pallot, and Joe Brooks, secure in the knowledge that Deep Water Cay’s rich heritage is preserved.
Lodge Dining Room
The Blue Hole Bar & Grill
Pool Table & Gaming Room
A conversation with Allison Elebash Interior designer Allison Elebash brings to Deep Water Cay an impeccable flair of Caribbean style combined with an innate sense of island living. A Florida native who was mentored in the industry by her mother-in-law and prominent Charleston interior designer Kathleen Rivers, Allison found her “voice” as a designer in the mid 2000s and began building an impressive portfolio of private residences. After she was contracted to design the interiors of a new luxury resort — Christophe Harbour — in St. Kitts in 2008, Allison and her family moved from their home base in coastal South Carolina to the Caribbean. Early in 2013, Allison was tapped by Deep Water Cay for the renovation of the community’s 50-yearold lodge and accompanying facilities as well as the interior design for nine new guest villas known as the West End Cottages. We recently spoke with Allison about the project, slated for completion in October 2013.
speak to the owners, or if it’s a project like the beach club that I did in St. Kitts, I use artifacts and decor from the area. At Deep Water Cay, I’ve tried to draw on the fact that the resort has existed since the 1950s, and even though it’s getting a whole fresh look, we’ve remained true to its heritage.
Talk about some of the methods you’ve used to accomplish that. It’s a combination of things. To highlight the history of Deep Water Cay, we enlisted the properties’ Director of Sales Dana Dribben’s assistance. He went to the International Game Fish Association’s archives in Fort Lauderdale and found photos of iconic DWC fishermen dating back to the 1950s. We’ve printed and framed dozens of these and displayed them throughout the lodge and other facilities.
One of our most exciting pieces, apart from the historical photographs and all of the custom handmade furniture, is a shadowbox display that features a collection of flies tied by Flip I always strive to incorporate pieces that are specific Pallot, a legendary outdoorsman and longtime to the project or that give it character. In a private visitor to Deep Water Cay. We’re also proud home, for example, I like to use artwork that would of a custom, hand-rendered map based on an
How does your style as a designer fit with the Deep Water Cay project?
aerial photo of the island. It now hangs in the Billiard Room. Throughout the property we used furniture and decor pieces made out of reclaimed and salvaged wood to add to the authenticity of the design.
House or the West End Cottages. I try to achieve the “wow factor” one would expect from a highend property with a comfort level that encourages guests to walk in after a day of fishing and plop down on the sofa with a cold drink.
What have been some of the biggest challenges of the project?
Living in the islands for five years has taught me that things should to be able to hold up to the elements. You can’t worry about people sitting on furniture in their bathing suits.
As you can imagine, working on an island has its own unique set of obstacles, and sometimes I think I’m as much a logistics officer as an interior designer! There are a lot of moving parts and details related to a project like this. Everything you need — from light bulbs to extension cords to furniture to bed linens — must be on the container when it leaves Miami on its way to Freeport because we can’t just run out and grab an item that was left off. This level of planning is typical of a project anywhere in the Caribbean — not just Deep Water Cay — and it’s taken some time to develop a system. Let me mention that I could never do this alone; it’s truly a team effort. West Bay Construction has worked diligently around the clock to get the work completed within the short timeframe, and I can’t say enough good things about them. My
friend, interior designer Elizabeth Newman, has collaborated with me on this and several other projects in the Caribbean and has been a huge help. Dana Dribben has been an invaluable resource in locating many of the vintage photos we’re using and providing historical context for the job.
What is the general feeling you want to convey with your design here at Deep Water Cay? I’d say an atmosphere of casual sophistication with a nod to the past. We want it to feel like a timeless place where generations of families can gather and build memories together. I want people to feel right at home when they walk into the lodge or the Drake
At the same time, I want people to feel that they can walk around the property and really feel the history here, really catch the soul of the place. It’s been a pure joy for me to work on a project with so much rich heritage and be able to design fresh, new interiors at the same time. It’s the best of both worlds. To learn more about Allison’s design philosophy and to view her portfolio, visit www.AllisonElebash.com.
West End Cottages This Fall, Deep Water Cay introduces a collection of new homes on the island known as the West End Cottages. With the combination of casual sophistication and timeless coastal Bahamian comfort, the West End Cottages are set to become one of the most sought-after accommodations for guests and homeowners alike. Although the interiors of the cottages are part of Allison Elebash’s elegant design project, buyers who purchase prior to construction can opt to work with a design firm of their choosing. These one- and two-bedroom villas offer full kitchen, great room, comfortable bedrooms, and an outdoor pool off the porch of each cottage that
makes soaking by the beach an incredible experience. Outside, each cottage boasts cheerful, meticulous landscaping and a perfect front porch view of the sandy flats. The lodge, infinity pool, welcome center, and dock are all a brief stroll away. Guests and owners alike will have access to the resort’s many amenities, including the infinity pool, state-of-theart fitness center, restaurant and newly refurbished Blue Hole Bar, and scuba diving and snorkeling facilities. Additionally, residents can take advantage of the world-class bonefishing all year round with access to Deep Water Cay’s legendary guides.
With all private ownership opportunities, Deep Water Cay is committed to enhancing and preserving the natural assets of the island to help ensure a tropical paradise for generations to come. With construction scheduled to begin soon, the West End Cottages provide a great opportunity to own at Deep Water Cay. There will be a limited number of these cottages available for sale. To learn more please contact our Director of Sales Dana Dribben: Phone: 561-758-1977 Email: Dana@DeepWaterCay.com
West end bedroom Imagine waking every morning to picture-perfect ocean views. The sun and sea beckon with the promise of idyllic fishing, scuba diving, or a private picnic at your favorite spot on the beach. West End Cottages are offered in one- and twobedroom options.
West End Bedroom
West end greatroom Designed with an authentic Bahamian feel, the open and airy layout allows you to open French doors to panoramic views of the turquoise waters that surround the cay. Entertain guests, read a book, or unwind while bathed in natural light, and look out on all the bonefishing that awaits.
West End Greatroom
Angler Flip Pallot ranks Deep Water Cay at the top for bonefishing The phrase “going to the office” means something entirely different for Flip Pallot than for most people. As one of the world’s most respected anglers, Flip’s “office” might be found along the glassy green waters of the Florida Everglades, on a stream bank in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, or drifting on an azure inlet at Los Roques in Venezuela. And more times than he can count Flip’s office has been the crystalline bonefish flats of Deep Water Cay.
Paul Vahldiek, right, presents legendary angler Flip Pallot with a pin recognizing his first bonefish catch. Pallot caught his first bonefish at Deep Water Cay nearly 40 years ago.
“I have a long history at Deep Water Cay,” says the vibrant 71-year-old, who for 16 years was host of the popular ESPN fishing program “The Walker’s Cay Chronicles” and is known as one of the industry’s leading authorities on fly-casting. “I’m in the business of traveling to far-flung destinations, and Deep Water Cay has always been, and continues to be, among my very favorites.”
Flip’s association with Deep Water Cay goes all the way back to 1955, when the 13-year-old Florida native caught his very first bonefish, an event recently acknowledged by Deep Water Cay in a ceremony at the resort’s lodge. “When a person catches their first bonefish, the staff at Deep Water Cay presents [the angler] with a neat little pewter bonefish pin,” says Flip with a laugh. “Well, I caught my first bonefish many, many decades ago, and I guess they figured my pin was overdue! I was honored to receive it.”
good bonefishing. Deep Water Cay does. There is as much fishable area here as anyplace I’ve ever been and perhaps more.” And for a fly-fisherman, the promise of landing a hard-charging bonefish is one of angling’s greatest thrills.
Pin or no pin, the lure of the elusive bonefish has brought the world’s most renowned fly-fisherman back to Deep Water Cay time and again.
“It’s a fish that’s custom-made for fly-fishermen,” says Flip, who recently tied a set of bonefish flies that will be displayed in a shadow box at Deep Water Cay’s lodge. “Bonefish are probably the signature saltwater quarry of fly-fishermen. They readily attack a well-presented fly, and they fight very, very hard. Bonefish are the most difficult fly-fishing target that I’ve ever encountered in salt water.”
“The location of the island makes an unusual amount of bonefish habitat available to fish,” Flip explains. “Many places that you go have good bonefishing but they don’t have far reaches of
So ferocious is the fight of the bonefish — an inedible species that is usually released by fishermen — Flip’s guide Omeko “Meko” Glinton has developed a unique method for putting the fish at ease.
“Meko says to always be sure to give the bonefish’s nose a little rub right before you release him,” says Flip with a wide grin. “He swears this causes the fish to forget the entire incident, and I’m inclined to believe him!” Flip adds that his long friendship with Meko and other Deep Water Cay staff will never be forgotten, and says he intends to keep up his “habit” of bonefishing at the island for many years to come. “It’s a lovely place managed by really dedicated people,” says Flip. “They provide top-notch equipment and some of the world’s best guides to their guests, and the recent renovations at Deep Water Cay are wonderful. I really compliment the owners on what they’ve done, and I expect I’ll be back there soon!”
Don’t overlook an underwater adventure Though bonefishing is often the water sport people tend to associate with Deep Water Cay, don’t forget that our scuba diving and snorkeling are second to none. Divers from first-timers to seasoned pros can find the environment to match their skill level within minutes of their Deep Water Cay cottage. We offer a host of locations for certified divers to explore our amazing aquatic surroundings with a guide.
Course provides all the necessary equipment and training before taking you on your very first breathtaking reef dive. For our more advanced divers, go with one of our Open Water Courses, Rescue Diver Courses, or the Advanced Open Water Course that certify you for dives up to 100 feet in depth. Are you an expert diver? Just show your valid certifications to begin your exploration.
A variety of dive courses and certifications are also available. Our introductory Island Day Discovery
We even offer exciting dive trips into blue holes, fascinating geological features also known as vertical
caves or underwater sink holes. The Bahamas are one of only two locations in the Western Hemisphere where blue holes are found. For those adventurers who seek a less complicated dive, we boast some of the best snorkeling you’ll find. Either create your own excursions just offshore or tag along with a scuba trip. The possibilities are limitless!
Deep Water Cay welcomed special guests from Garden & Gun magazine’s travel series. Guests were treated to a spectacular event that included an opportunity to fish with legendary angler, Flip Pallot, front row, center.
A Visit From This past June, Garden & Gun magazine hosted a fishing trip-of-a-lifetime to Deep Water Cay. The fortunate attendees of the “Garden & Gun Excursion” had the opportunity to cast alongside some of Deep Water Cay’s legendary anglers, including Flip Pallot.
The fishing was top-notch, and a number of the guests reeled in some impressive bonefish, permit, and other game fish. In fact Garden & Gun Editor-in-Chief David DiBenedetto set a new Deep Water Cay record with a 29-inch bonefish.
At the end of each day, Mike Lata, the awardwinning chef and owner of the acclaimed FIG restaurant in Charleston, prepared the fresh catch. Guests enjoyed cocktails in the Baracuda Bar and shared fishing tales, old and new. Many of the visitors already have plans to return next year.
Meet the Managers
Buzz & Rose Cox Deep Water Cay is proud to welcome a new General Manager, Clyde “Call Me Buzz” Cox, Jr. and his wife, Rose. These former high school sweethearts grew up in Maine and have been in the lodging business their entire careers, with lengthy stints at some of Maine’s finest lodges and sporting camps. They come to us from the renowned K-T Ranch in Meeker, Colo., a property of The High Lonesome Ranch, where Buzz was General Manager and Rose oversaw day-to-day housekeeping, foodservice, and landscaping. Joining them at Deep Water Cay is Princeton, an 8-pound Chihuahua-mix “security dog,” as Buzz claims. “He’s the kind of dog you’d expect an alien to have,” he adds. “You’ll love him!” This husband and wife team has been married 44 years and has worked together nearly their entire careers. They bring their experience, love of people and hospitality, and lifelong passion for fishing to Deep
Water Cay. Buzz says he was practically born with a fly rod in his hand. An Orvis-endorsed guide for more than 25 years, the first-ever Orvis Guide Lifetime Achievement Award winner in 2012, he has bonefished all over the Bahamas, has caught a 140-pound striped marlin, and regularly escapes to his home in Florida to fish. Rose will oversee housekeeping, kitchens, and the front office at Deep Water Cay. She has a natural spark and certain way of making guests feel welcome and appreciated. Her legendary strawberry rhubarb pie may soon become the catch of the day on the island. In Buzz’s words: “The greatest parts of this business for us are the people that we meet and the friends we make, many of whom go on to become lifelong friends. We feel so thankful and fortunate for this opportunity and look forward to meeting the people who come to visit or call Deep Water Cay home.”
Dana Dribben is our director of sales. A Floridian and a former restaurateur, he shares how he found his way to Deep Water Cay, his vision for the island and community, and a few bonefishing stats of his own.
What brought you to Deep Water Cay and what first attracted you to the property? My experience in the Bahamas started after I sold my restaurant in Palm Beach. I was invited by one of my customers to go on his 85-foot motor yacht with two Hell’s Bay skiffs aboard. We flew over to meet the yacht and covered most of the Bahamas, exploring and fishing to our hearts’ content. At night we would drink great wine, tie flies, and plan for the next day. From Andros north to Strangers Cay, we covered the best bonefish and permit flats. During the winter of 2003, I was on a bonefishing expedition to the Berry Islands, and we happened to fly over the cay. Being aware of its reputation, I was immediately intrigued and made a mental note to visit. A few weeks later, I was catching bonefish at Deep Water Cay with Mervin as my guide, and I was hooked for life.
Dana Dribben director of sales
What’s your ultimate vision for private ownership opportunities at Deep Water Cay? My vision is simply for more families to enjoy the spectacular environment, fishing, snorkeling,
and diving. One of the great things about our community is that it has attracted such wonderful people. They respect and enjoy the environment, have a great sense of adventure, and love the water sports and fishing. Our owners want to preserve what makes Deep Water Cay special — great people, beautiful surroundings, and adventure on the water.
How does the cay differ from other private island communities? Deep Water Cay has the privacy and beauty of an “out island” without the hassles. With a 4,000-foot paved airstrip, customs house, R/O and Wastewater Treatment plant, and electrical power from Grand Bahama, the island has conveniences that make home ownership easy and enjoyable. Owners also have access to a variety of amenities provided by the island’s boutique resort.
What’s your record catch at DWC? 31 inches to the fork = 12 ½-pound bonefish
If you had five words to describe life at Deep Water Cay what would they be? Beautiful, relaxing, discovery, memorable, and rejuvenating
Be a part of the new Deep Water Cay The new Deep Water Cay is truly something to behold. Whether you fish or not, this ultra-private, 5-star island retreat will allow you and your family to escape to a different and simpler kind of paradise. To request more information or to make a reservation, please call 888-420-6202 or visit Deep Water Cay online at DeepWaterCay.com. If you’re interested in private ownership, feel free to contact us at RealEstate@DeepWaterCay.com.
Deep Water Cay Lime Pie Ingredients
• 1 (9-inch) prepared graham cracker crust • 3 cups sweetened condensed milk • 1/2 cup sour cream • 3/4 cup key lime juice • 1 tablespoon grated lime zest
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 2. I n a medium bowl, combine condensed milk, sour cream, lime juice, and lime zest. Mix well and pour into graham cracker crust. 3. B ake in preheated oven for 5 to 8 minutes, until tiny pinhole bubbles burst on the surface of pie. DO NOT BROWN! Chill pie thoroughly before serving. Garnish with lime slices and whipped cream if desired.
Don’t miss a moment of the action at Deep Water Cay In Our Next Issue: Meet Deep Water Cay’s acclaimed Bahamian Chef Owen Bain and discover his passion for cuisine inspired by the islands.
Learn more about all of the exciting things happening at Deep Water Cay. Request information at RealEstate@DeepWaterCay.com DeepWaterCay.com
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