Torch Cay, Exuma

Torch Cay is a privately owned island located east of Little Exuma at the southernmost point of the Exuma island chain. This member's only private island is 707 acres in size, making it the largest private island in the Bahamas. Torch Cay derives its name from the white torch tree (Amyris elemifera) and found amongst the land’s rare and lush vegetation. The island is home to Torch Cay Airport, the only known airport on a private island worldwide where you can land and clear customs with an ultra-long-range or heavy private jet.

History
The island was originally known to the Exumas as God Rest the Dead Cay by Captain Mingo Rolle, during a time where pirates ruled much of the Bahamas. Torch Cay’s name has changed over the years, with previous names Blue Island, and Hog Cay as the early 1700s British farming island.

In the year 1706, much of the island’s trade and shipping were disrupted by an era of piracy. Reigning Nassau and its surrounding islands were known as The Republic of Pirates, for nearly three decades. The Republic of Pirates' influence had the country under an informal dictatorship based on earlier maritime law and privateer codes. Torch Cay underwent a period of havoc as pirates looted and stole treasure from the island until British control was restored in 1718.

In 2022, Torch Cay signed a development agreement to build a marina, 160 residential lots, a beach club and spa as well as golf course designed by Coore & Crenshaw.

Topography and climate
Torch Cay is situated along an east-west axis, with ridged coastlines and vantage points for seascapes. Elevations are 65 ft. to the north of the island's airport runway, peaking at more than 70 ft. and 105 ft. at existing residential properties. Torch Cay claims the highest point of elevation in the entire Exuma island chain and cays, with a hilltop reaching a maximum elevation of 128 ft.

Situated at a lower elevation point on the island, Torch Cay's light annual rainfall drains inland to a central farm area as opposed to the sea, creating a fertile basin for agriculture protected from tradewinds by its surrounding hills. The island also maintains nearly 3 kilometers long of original limestone stone walls, hand-stacked by early British privateers and farmers, who used the natural island stone to section off their crops and herds. Torch Cay also benefits from Saharan dust clouds that travel from Africa across the Atlantic yielding iron Red Soil.

Marine and wildlife
Inhabiting the sea surrounding Torch Cay is an abundance of marine life including numerous green sea turtles, southern stingrays, spiny lobster, conch, dolphins, nurse sharks, spotted sea hares, spider crab, and starfish. Just off the northern shore of Torch Cay as you enter the deeper sea, you can expect to find bluefin tuna, grouper, mahi mahi, wahoo, king fish, marlin, snapper, barracuda, amberjack, oceanic bonito, swordfish, and mackerel. And closer to shore in the shallow waters of the western tip of Torch Cay, the locals consider this area to be one of the best bone fishing locations in the Exumas. Torch Cay is also known for its abundance of iguanas, geckos, anoles, Cuban parrots, belted kingfisher, white-crowned pigeons, egrets, population as well as peacocks.

Privacy and access
Torch Cay is privately owned and limits access to residents, members and designated staff. It has an airport with a 6,000-foot-long landing strip to accommodate light-jets, midsize-jets, heavy-jets, and ultra long-jets and VIP airliners. Customs and immigration agents are available to arriving members and guests.

Torch Cay is a 40-minute drive and 10-minute boat ride from Great Exuma’s international airport, and also reachable by boats, including water taxis and ferries.

In popular culture
Torch Cay was a filming location for the 2006 Disney film Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.