Berry Islands – settled in 1836 by freed slaves under Governor Colebrooke
The settled history of the Berry Islands began in 1836, when Governor William Colebrooke brought a group of freed slaves to establish a community on these islands. Their descendants and later arrivals built lives around the sea, fishing and the many small harbours of the chain. The district consists of about thirty islands and more than a hundred small cays, spread over roughly twelve square miles, and its rich waters have earned it the nickname “The Fish Bowl of The Bahamas”. Today around 1,000 people live here, most of them on Great Harbour Cay, and the islands attract anglers, sailors and divers. Do you have memories or family stories from the Berry Islands? Share them here and help preserve local history!