Hooper's Bay Beach
Hooper's Bay Beach
4.5
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24 within 3 miles
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8 within 6 miles
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- Cathy KMidlothian, Virginia373 contributionsHooper's Bay Beach !!!!We arrived late in the afternoon & it was high tide, so the water was deep and perfect for walking around, floating & hanging out to stay cool. We met a young couple & basically talked to them for about an hour, and unfortunately we had to leave to reach our dinner reservation. The water was gorgeous & warm, but not too hot. We didn't see any turtles, but didn't snorkel there. The new ramp down the hill was east to go down, but you must pay attention because the sand can make it slippery.Visited July 2023Traveled with familyWritten October 2, 2023
- kristinealikatConcord, North Carolina99 contributionsPretty Beach to Visit - No Sea TurtlesHooper's Bay Beach was beautiful! We did not see any sea turtles. Our understanding is that the turtles don't come around much anymore because people are no longer feeding them, which is a good thing. The beach access is better than others described it previously. There is a wooden ramp that has been rebuilt and it is sturdy. It may get a little steep or slippery for some so just be sure to hold the railing.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 25, 2024
- LauraBRichmond, Virginia14 contributionsBeautiful beachBeautiful beach- calm water. We snorkeled under the piers and saw two turtles and lots of fish. Sadly the turtles had some kind of tumors on their necks and fins. Everyone we were around gave them proper distance and didn’t feed them. When we came in 2023 there were more turtles. Either way it’s a beautiful beach and we enjoyed it!Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 2, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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DustinWind
Leesburg, VA32 contributions
Feb 2021
Bahama Breeze on Hoopers Bay in Exuma. Stay away.
Don’t do it. No matter how badly you like the price and the location.
We read all the reviews and were warned and we still gave them a deposit in early 2020 for a June 2020 stay. Due to COVID, we weren’t allowed to travel to the Bahamas, so the owner (Gary) kept our deposit (half of the total) and allowed us to reschedule travel within two years. We asked twice for a refund and they refused.
We were surprised he wouldn’t refund our deposit, but agreed since we planned to travel when restrictions were lifted.
In late 2020/early 2021 we rescheduled travel for late March. They agreed and everything was fine.
About a month before our planned travel (a couple of days ago), Vee and Gary informed us to look for other accommodations since their house isn’t going to be ready after all. Said there was a roof issue that wouldn’t be fixed in time. We were told by Vee (property/rental manager) that Gary was recently returned from Exuma and was really encouraging us to delay our travel again. She went on to tell us that (per Gary) restaurants weren’t open, etc. and island largely closed.
This is despite us reading online from recent reviews that things were pretty open. I feel they were lying to us, since Canadians have not been allowed to travel to Bahamas for several months. Gary didn’t recently return from Exuma. They were wanting us to postpone again and when they realized we were really coming as planned, they made up a story.
Fast forward to the day we were told to look elsewhere and he’d refund our deposit. After holding our money hostage for over a year, they only agreed to a refund when it was convenient for them. I explained to Gary that on such short notice the availability for anything comparable was nearly double that of what we’re paying (and thus budgeted) for his place. He could care less. They never, ever apologized for the inconvenience and instead begun yelling at me on the phone because he was upset he couldn’t leave Canada to get into the country. I told him he should consider chipping in money to help me offset my additional costs now due to their last minute cancellation and he scoffed. It took him nearly 36 hours to refund my money; taking his sweet time to do so. He couldn’t figure out how to download the Venmo app to refund me and finally received the money that goodness.
If/when they put this back on the market for rent – stay away. Unless this property comes under new ownership – stay away. Not worth the stress or risk.
Don’t do it. No matter how badly you like the price and the location.
We read all the reviews and were warned and we still gave them a deposit in early 2020 for a June 2020 stay. Due to COVID, we weren’t allowed to travel to the Bahamas, so the owner (Gary) kept our deposit (half of the total) and allowed us to reschedule travel within two years. We asked twice for a refund and they refused.
We were surprised he wouldn’t refund our deposit, but agreed since we planned to travel when restrictions were lifted.
In late 2020/early 2021 we rescheduled travel for late March. They agreed and everything was fine.
About a month before our planned travel (a couple of days ago), Vee and Gary informed us to look for other accommodations since their house isn’t going to be ready after all. Said there was a roof issue that wouldn’t be fixed in time. We were told by Vee (property/rental manager) that Gary was recently returned from Exuma and was really encouraging us to delay our travel again. She went on to tell us that (per Gary) restaurants weren’t open, etc. and island largely closed.
This is despite us reading online from recent reviews that things were pretty open. I feel they were lying to us, since Canadians have not been allowed to travel to Bahamas for several months. Gary didn’t recently return from Exuma. They were wanting us to postpone again and when they realized we were really coming as planned, they made up a story.
Fast forward to the day we were told to look elsewhere and he’d refund our deposit. After holding our money hostage for over a year, they only agreed to a refund when it was convenient for them. I explained to Gary that on such short notice the availability for anything comparable was nearly double that of what we’re paying (and thus budgeted) for his place. He could care less. They never, ever apologized for the inconvenience and instead begun yelling at me on the phone because he was upset he couldn’t leave Canada to get into the country. I told him he should consider chipping in money to help me offset my additional costs now due to their last minute cancellation and he scoffed. It took him nearly 36 hours to refund my money; taking his sweet time to do so. He couldn’t figure out how to download the Venmo app to refund me and finally received the money that goodness.
If/when they put this back on the market for rent – stay away. Unless this property comes under new ownership – stay away. Not worth the stress or risk.
Written February 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Go579096
Huntsville, Canada2 contributions
Feb 2021
Great beach, but to everyone considering renting a property, please stay away from Bahama Breeze owned by Gary and Vee Matheson in Hooper's Bay! We had a terrible experience (dirty: body hair in the bed, unwashed towels, everything was broken including the door lock, windows, screens, AC) and the owners stopped responding after promising a refund. I have emails from them as well as pictures. Staying at this property ruined my 40th birthday trip. Please message me for pictures and emails.
Their property was taken down from VRBO after multiple violations so I could not post a review there. Please BEWARE!
Their property was taken down from VRBO after multiple violations so I could not post a review there. Please BEWARE!
Written June 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clare W
Fort Myers, FL21 contributions
Feb 2022 • Friends
Another amazing beach with the added bonus of the sweet and friendly turtles. To get there, look out for the beach access sign on Queen's Highway and the small parking area across the street from the sign. The path to the beach is by the access sign and goes down some steps and then a steep wood boardwalk along a wall. The boardwalk is super slippy so hang on to the railing or walk on the ground beside the boards.
To see the sea turtles go to the right along the beach and walk all the way down to the docks. Both times we visited we found the turtles swimming around between the first and second dock. We heard that it’s better to visit in the morning or early afternoon to see the turtles.
To see the sea turtles go to the right along the beach and walk all the way down to the docks. Both times we visited we found the turtles swimming around between the first and second dock. We heard that it’s better to visit in the morning or early afternoon to see the turtles.
Written February 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Logan G
1 contribution
Dec 2022 • Friends
PLEASE do not feed the turtles! The local turtles are becoming sick and their eyes are beginning to show the effects of all the lettuce people are feeding them. Not to mention, the large population of turtles that are now near the shoreline have attracted tiger sharks.
By all means see the turtles, swim with them and take photos, but please respect nature and this beautiful beach or else these wonderful animals will not be around for long.
By all means see the turtles, swim with them and take photos, but please respect nature and this beautiful beach or else these wonderful animals will not be around for long.
Written December 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bassaidai88
Hagerstown, MD556 contributions
Jun 2022
The beach has public access points and is a really nice stretch of beach. About 15-20 walk from one end you'll find wooden piers where a colony of sea turtles inhabit. You don't need snorkel gear to enjoy them because they swim all around you. We arrived early, about 10 am, and had the first hour essentially to ourselves and the turtles. After which larger groups of people arrived by land and by sea. It got loud so we went further down the beach and found a quiet area where the turtles still came around. Overall, we got some excellent pictures and enjoyed our time on the beach. Be aware that there are no facilities here.
Written June 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maria B
Boston, MA16 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
There are so many beautiful beaches, but here you avoid the wind, you get to swim with sea turtles and it’s still relatively quiet the entire day. In 5 days we chose to go here twice because of the turtles and quiet surroundings. Don’t miss this one!
Written April 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt B
1 contribution
Mar 2024 • Family
I live on Hooper's Bay. For many, many years there were loads of turtles here. A few years ago the excursion boats started bringing boatloads of tourists over to feed and handle them. Now they are almost all gone. Sea turtles aren't meant to congregate! Because they were drawn to the free food from tourists, they began to attract sharks who picked them off regularly. They also transmit communicable diseases when they are in close quarters. I've seen turtles under my dock with tumors on their heads, and others suffocating from swallowing zip lock bags dropped by careless tourists (they mistake them for jellyfish). Hooper's Bay beach is a wonderful, public beach. Enjoy it! But tourists in the Bahamas (and the guides who escort them) need to learn to resist feeding and handling wild animals, from sharks to iguanas to rays. Look at them, enjoy them, but let them be wild animals!
Written March 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SirHaskettThe2nd
2 contributions
Jul 2021
We showed up about 9 am, its a decent walk to the two docks from the small path that leads to the beach from the road but worth it. As soon as we walked up a small sea turtle came swimming up near the beach. It took him a little while to get comfortable enough to come up and eat some of the fish we brought but once he did he followed us around like a lost puppy. We ended up seeing around 8 total sea turtles ranging in size from about 1 foot to over 2 feet long. They let us run our hands all over their shells and were so calm and docile. It was the highlight of our visit to the Bahamas. The beach and water is amazing too and it is so peaceful. I highly recommend a visit. We got a private taxi and had them drop us off and come back in one hour. It was plenty of time.
Written July 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LauraB
Richmond, VA14 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Beautiful beach- calm water. We snorkeled under the piers and saw two turtles and lots of fish. Sadly the turtles had some kind of tumors on their necks and fins. Everyone we were around gave them proper distance and didn’t feed them. When we came in 2023 there were more turtles. Either way it’s a beautiful beach and we enjoyed it!
Written August 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cathy K
Midlothian, VA373 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We arrived late in the afternoon & it was high tide, so the water was deep and perfect for walking around, floating & hanging out to stay cool. We met a young couple & basically talked to them for about an hour, and unfortunately we had to leave to reach our dinner reservation. The water was gorgeous & warm, but not too hot. We didn't see any turtles, but didn't snorkel there. The new ramp down the hill was east to go down, but you must pay attention because the sand can make it slippery.
Written October 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Has anyone stayed at Bahama Breeze rental on Hooper's Bay?
How did you like it? Would you stay there again? It's in a beautiful area!
Thank you!
Written April 18, 2020
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