House FAQ's
What is included in the rental?
Unless some other prior arrangements have been made, the house rental includes: local airport pickup and drop-off, mid-stay house tidy-up service, internet access, vehicle, a couple of 2-person kayaks and the services of our On-Island Manager.
What does the On-Island Manager do?
Our On-Island Manager is there to advise you and answer any questions that you may have as well as to assist you with matters regarding the house.
Does the house have air-conditioning?
We don’t think that air conditioning would suit Slipstream but there are plenty of fans and the house is designed to catch the sea breezes. However, please be aware that in summer it can get very hot.
What is supplied at the house?
There is a good supply of towels and linen in house. The kitchen generally has some leftover dry/canned goods and seasonings to get you started. We provide you with a starter supply of soap, toilet paper, paper towels, a 5 gallon container of drinking water, a phone card to call home to say that you have arrived and the ingredients for Seabreeze, the traditional Slipstream cocktail!
Can you stock the house with some groceries and liquor for us?
Yes. Send us a list of what you are after and we will make arrangements (local selection is limited). No charge for this service, just repay the cost of the goods.
How is the kitchen equipped?
The kitchen has a fridge-freezer, a stove with oven, a dishwasher a coffee maker, a blender, cutting boards, knives and a good selection of pots and pans. The utility room has a washing machine and dryer
Is there a BBQ at the house?
Yes there is a charcoal BBQ at the house. You can buy briquettes and starter fuel on the island.
Is there a phone? Can we call long distance?
Yes, the house has a phone. Local calls are free and we supply one phone card for international calls. You can buy more on the island.
Is there a TV and DVD player?
Yes, the house has a satellite TV and a DVD player. Please note we sometimes experience satellite communications problems but these are generally sorted out the same day, though it can take longer.
Does the house have a stereo? Any CDs? Any books? Any games?
The house has a full surround sound system in the main building. You will need to bring your own music, either on CD or ipod (which can be connected to the system). There is a selection of books (including tourist and recipe books) and a few games in the house.
How well does the Internet connection work?
There is a broadband connection that generally works well, though sometimes it falters briefly. There is no charge for this service.
How is the house laid out? It looks like 3 buildings.
Slipstream consists of a main building with two wings. The house rental includes all three buildings.
What size are the beds?
The four double beds are queen-size.
Can we bring more than 8 people?
There are 4 double bedrooms at Slipstream and the house facilities are ideally suited to no more than 8 people. However, the sofa-bed in the TV loft and the day-beds in the living areas can be used as beds and we may allow you to bring more adults/children by prior arrangement.
Do you have any baby cribs?
We have a crib at the house. If you require this, please notify us so we can set up for you. If you require additional cribs, please contact us.
Are there many mosquitoes/bugs?
There are mosquitoes and sand-flies (or ‘no-see-ums’) throughout this part of the world and they can be a problem on the island. The windows at Slipstream have mesh covers that help keep them at bay. You will need deterrent sprays.
What vehicle is included with the rental?
Unless otherwise arranged a rental vehicle is included in your rental fee. As a rule this will be a Plymouth Voyager that seats 7/8. You will be responsible for the condition of the vehicle and for returning it with the same amount of fuel. Car rentals are available on the island starting at $70 per day. Bring your driving licence.
Island FAQs
Are there any large resorts on the island?
Yes there are two, both in the north of the island. One is at Stella Maris on the Atlantic coast and the other is at beautiful Cape Santa Maria on the northern tip of the island. They have restaurants and other facilities for use by non-guests. There are a few other smaller resorts/guest houses on the island.
Is the selection of food/liquor limited?
The island can supply your basic cooking needs but if you like to use speciality ingredients/seasonings then bring these with you. Fresh produce is in short supply but local staples like limes, coconuts, bananas, plantains, sweet potato, cassava, pumpkin/squash and yams are plentiful so you may want to experiment with regional recipes (there are recipe books at Slipstream). Liquor stores offer a small selection of beer including Kalik (a fine Bahamian brew), Heineken, Becks, Budmeister and Guinness. Spirits include rum, of course, and you’ll find a selection of basic/decent table wine, but no fine wines.
Do the island banks have ATMs?
There are 3 banks on the island. The closest is Scotia Bank in Stella Maris. It is about 20 mins drive and it has an ATM machine (ATMs on Long Island can be temperamental but you can always draw money out on your credit card with ID - passport is preferred). US dollars are accepted currency in Long Island. The Bahamian dollar is not valued outside the country, so you don’t want to bring home too much of it.
Can we buy locally-caught fish?
Local catch includes grouper, snappers. crawfish and conch. You can buy fish from our neighbor, Marcean. There is also a fish-packing plant in the next bay over called Performance Fisheries. They sell fresh-caught fish and lobster as well as meat from the freezers, including steaks. You will need to call ahead to check they are open.
What kind of food is served in restaurants?
The island has quite a few ‘native restaurants’ as they are referred to, up and down the main island road. They serve mostly conch dishes and fish and chicken with peas and rice. There are also a few restaurants who serve North American/Continental dishes. Click here for our bar/restaurant recommendations.
Is the house and island safe?
Long Island is virtually crime-free and people don't lock their doors …but, as always, use your common sense. Our On-Island Manager will give you the keys to the house. The waters outside Slipstream are calm and safe - you can wade out 200 yards and still be standing – and the seabed is almost all sand. Waterproof beach shoes are recommended for walking over the few rocks at the waters edge (there are some spares in the house but it is best to bring your own).
What is the weather like?
Situated on the Tropic of Cancer, Long Island has favorable year-round temperatures, low humidity and 320 days a year of sunshine. The hottest months are August to October and December to February are the coolest. If the weather is cold in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, it can be warmer on Long Island as it is a further 100 miles south.
Activities FAQ's
Do you have some snorkel and fishing gear at the house?
Yes, we do have some spare snorkel gear and fishing gear and you are welcome to use it, but this is meant more for backup and spares. We recommend that you bring your own equipment.
Are there some places to go close by?
There are some rocky cays in the bay near the house that offer good snorkeling and fishing.
How do we book diving/snorkeling/fishing/sightseeing trips with Delbert Smith?
Our On-Island Manager will give you Delbert’s contact details when you arrive. We highly recommend you take a trip with him. He is a fantastic guide with incredible knowledge of the local waters, a (local) master diver/fisherman and an excellent host. We suggest you take a trip with him early on in your stay so that he can provide you with invaluable advice on ‘where to go’ and ‘what to see/do’.
Travel FAQs
How do we get to Long Island?
Long Island receives daily flights from Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas. Companies such as Bahamas Air offer one way tickets, and these are the same price as half a return ticket. There is also a 3-times-per-week Pineapple Air and Southern Air flight from Fort Lauderdale direct to Stella Maris, Long Island with Locair (www.locair.net) Click here to find out more
Where do we land on the island?
Long Island has 2 airports. Stella Maris (airport code SML) is about 25mins drive north of the house, and Deadmans Cay (airport code LGI) is about 45mins south. We will arrange to meet you at the airport (either one) and take you to the house, as well as drop you off on your departure.
Where on Long Island is Slipstream?
The house is located within a few miles of the Tropic of Cancer in the settlement called Wemyss, right on the beach.
What should we bring with us?
Very little. As the weather is warm year round you will be probably be spending most of your time in shorts and summer casual wear. You may wish to pack some comfortable pants and long sleeve shirts/light sweaters in case of a cool evening. Restaurants are very casual so there is little need for any ‘dressy’ clothes. Bring a sun hat, sunscreen and waterproof beach shoes and don’t forget to bring some CDs or your ipod.
