Location & Getting There: Galliot Cay, Cape Santa Maria, Long Island

Cape Santa Maria is widely considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Bahamas. Villa Serenity lies within the private Seasalt Bay estate on sheltered Galliot Cay bay. About three miles of quiet white sand stretch out in front of the house, and the water is usually shallow and crystal clear – perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

Long Island itself is roughly 80 miles long but only a few miles wide in most places. The Queen's Highway links every settlement from north to south, so the island's highlights are easy day trips from the villa – see our guide to things to do on Long Island.

There are no nonstop flights from Zurich to the Bahamas. Most travelers connect once on the way to Nassau (NAS), for example through London or a US hub such as Miami, Atlanta or New York. Depending on the connection, allow roughly 13 to 18 hours from Zurich to Nassau. From the US East Coast, Nassau is just a short flight away.

From Nassau, a domestic flight takes you on to Long Island. You can choose between two airports: Stella Maris (SML) in the north – the closest to the villa – and Deadman's Cay (LLI) in the middle of the island. The flight takes about an hour. Because domestic flights don't run at every time of day, we recommend an overnight stay in Nassau if your connection is tight.

From Stella Maris airport, the villa is about a 20-minute drive; from Deadman's Cay, plan on roughly an hour. There's virtually no public transportation on Long Island, and taxis are few and need to be booked ahead.

We strongly recommend renting a car for your entire stay. Keep in mind that Bahamians drive on the left. We're glad to help with the reservation so your car is waiting when you land. Rental cars aren't included in the rate – see rates.

For everyday needs, you'll find small grocery stores in Stella Maris and along the Queen's Highway. Selection is more limited than you may be used to, and fresh produce arrives by boat, so it's best to shop right after you arrive. If you like, we can arrange a grocery service so the fridge is stocked when you get there.

The local currency is the Bahamian dollar, pegged 1:1 to the US dollar; US dollars are accepted everywhere. ATMs are few and far between, and not every shop takes credit cards, so bring enough cash in US dollars.

Long Island is on Eastern Time (EST/EDT), six hours behind Switzerland and the same as New York. You'll find more practical answers in our FAQ.