Entire home

Exceptional Beach, Reef, and Home on Private South End of Great Guana Cay

Photo gallery for Exceptional Beach, Reef, and Home on Private South End of Great Guana Cay

Beach in front of the house
Back of house as you're coming in from the beach
Back deck
Ariel shot of back yard and beach
Terrace/patio

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6176.5 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Great Guana Cay, Hope Town
  • Marsh Harbour
  • Guana Cay Beach
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Abaco Beach
    ‪22 min drive‬
  • Marsh Harbour (MHH)

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Exceptional Beach, Reef, and Home on Private South End of Great Guana Cay

Located on one of the most beautiful beaches in the Bahamas, with the 3rd longest barrier reef in the world off the back deck, our lovely home features high end amenities, an open plan living area and kitchen, and extensive wraparound decking - covered and uncovered - for the perfect island vacation experience. Expansive landscaping adds to the overall serenity and character of the house.

The living space is open and welcoming, with a relaxed great room filled with a super comfortable, cozy sofa, chaise and chairs, a dining table for six, an island bar with bar stools, and a gourmet kitchen. Vaulted ceilings paneled in Cypress wood ensure the house is airy and filled with light.

The gourmet kitchen is equipped with just about everything you could need, including a Thermador gas range, a Kitchenaid fridge and freezer, two Kitchenaid ovens, a Kitchenaid dishwasher, and a microwave. You’ll also find plenty of pots and pans for cooking, an excellent array of knives and serving dishes, and loads of plates, bowls, cups and glasses (including all kinds of beach plasticware to take outside).

Just next door to the kitchen there’s a utility room with a washer and drier, along with a cupboard filled with beach towels.

There are two bedrooms downstairs. The master bedroom has a king size bed, ceiling fan, side tables, chaise for relaxing, and french doors that open on to the deck, along with a large master bathroom complete with a double shower, double sinks, and a large walk-in closet.

The downstairs guest bedroom has a king size bed, ceiling fan and side tables, with its own outdoor covered deck. The downstairs bathroom is right outside the door with a tub/shower combo.

The third bedroom is upstairs, with a deck looking out on to the front lawn, side tables, a ceiling fan, and a reading nook with an inviting double chaise.

Outside, you’ll find large deck spaces with a gas grill, two dining tables, dining chairs, and loungers for napping in the shade or sunbathing.

The beach is just off the back deck, and offers some of the softest sand in the world. There are only a few other homes on the beach, guaranteeing peace and privacy. The water is crystal clear, sloping gradually to the reef, where you'll find wonderful marine life featuring turtles, rays, groupers and angel fish.

Should the spirit move you, you can take a leisurely stroll along the water's edge to the legendary bar, Nipper's, and there's a good chance you won't see another soul until you get there.

With a golf cart rental (a must on the island, as it's the only mode of transportation; we'll send you a packet of information about the island when you book, including golf cart rental companies), you'll have the exceptional island of Great Guana Cay - all 7 miles of it! - at your disposal. From exploring deserted beaches to body surfing, beach combing to sipping a cocktail and watching the sunset at a beach front bar...

You'll also be able to stock up on provisions for cooking a meal at home and enjoying it on the deck overlooking the water at your own island oasis.

And if you rent a boat, or take advantage of a charter company excursion, you can explore the Abacos myriad of bays, coves and protected harbors, deep sea fish, scuba dive, or island hop to Marsh Harbour, Hopetown, Man O War, Treasure Cay or Green Turtle Cay (perhaps a restaurant and beach bar crawl?).

The lagoon between Great Guana Cay and Scotland Cay - a stone's throw away by boat - is an incredible place to spend the day, and the underwater scenery at Fowl Cay Marine Reserve - just a little bit further by boat - is some of the best in the Caribbean.

For a good feel for our home and location, please check out our video, which can be seen at the end of the photo gallery.

If you haven't been to Great Guana Cay and are contemplating a trip, we'd love to have the opportunity to correspond via email or chat on the phone to talk you through what a trip to the island looks like - booking flights to Marsh Harbour (our closest airport), taking the ferry to Guana, getting provisions, and all the things you can do once on the island.

In the meantime, the essentials are as follows: from the Marsh Harbour airport you take a 7 or 8 minute taxi ride to the Conch Inn Marina, where you jump on a 30 minute ferry to Guana (ferries run about every two hours during the day). Once on Guana, our property manager will greet you at the dock, help you collect your golf cart, and lead you to the house.


IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO NOTE

The utility infrastructure in the Abacos (and in the Bahamas in general) is continually striving forward, but based on equipment issue and the number of tourists visiting the islands during peak times, you may experience power outages during your stay. These are usually short in duration (less than 90 minutes). Occasionally they can last several hours. Should this happen, our caretaker will come and start the generator for you.

There are no medical doctors or clinics on the island. There is a Guana fire and rescue operation that can provide assistance in case of serious emergency. There is a hospital and several medical clinics in Marsh Harbour.

On another note, we are committed to helping our guests avoid potential scams, which are, unfortunately, all too prevalent. No vacation rental website - Homeaway, VRBO, Vacationrentals.com - nor us will ever ask you to pay via wire transfer, check or money order. If you receive an email asking you to pay via one of these methods (emails can be hijacked by fraudsters), it is a scam. Only make payments through the official Homeaway, VRBO or Vacationrentals.com websites with a credit card.

Lastly, we have an outdoor security camera for times when the house is unoccupied.

Property manager

Molly
Premier Host

Languages

English, French

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 35
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
House is not childproof. See rental agreement.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please see rental agreement
A maximum of 6 people are permitted at the house at any time. No exceptions.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Caribbean

Map
Great Guana Cay, Hope Town

What's nearby

  • Guana Cay Beach - 13 min drive - 3.1 km
  • Abaco Beach - 22 min drive - 14.0 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Grabbers - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Conch Shack - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Nippers - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Mermaids On The Rocks - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Sunsetter Orchid Bay - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Exceptional Beach, Reef, and Home on Private South End of Great Guana Cay pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Exceptional Beach, Reef, and Home on Private South End of Great Guana Cay?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Exceptional Beach, Reef, and Home on Private South End of Great Guana Cay?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Exceptional Beach, Reef, and Home on Private South End of Great Guana Cay located?

Situated on the beach, this holiday home is steps from Lucayan Archipelago and 1.9 mi (3 km) from Guana Cay Beach. Abaco Beach is 8.7 mi (13.9 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 41 out of 42 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 42 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 42 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 42 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 42 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Courtney L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful home and island!
We cannot say enough positive things about Keep Smiling and Great Guana Cay! This was our 2nd visit to Keep Smiling. The home and property are exactly as advertised. The beach deck is our favorite spot at the home. We enjoyed the view of the spectacular beach and it was virtually all ours during our stay. At night, the view of the stars is incredible.Molly, the owner, is extremely kind and helpful. She will make you feel like family. She has contacts for everything that you could want or need for your stay. She is available at any time to answer any questions and provide assistance.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

John C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

David W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Making Family Memories
This booking is the first time we spoke with the owners. The owners provide an exceptional, concierge-like experience, ensuring a flawless and stress-free stay through their immaculate attention to detail.This property offers the ultimate relaxation experience across three distinct areas: stunning warm hues of turquoise water views from inside the house and porch, a nearby deck perfect for non-sand relaxation - great for coffee and close of the day, and a virtually private beach with turquoise waters just steps away. The location provides both serenity and breathtaking beauty in a private setting.The well-appointed kitchen features quality appliances and utensils, while the living spaces offer oversized, comfortable furniture perfect for dining or gaming. Two separate living areas (inside & outside) accommodate different moods and activities. The spacious grounds, rich with vegetation, enhance both beauty and privacy; perfect for walks and quiet contemplation.While some in my family initially worried about the lack of “bustling” activity, these concerns completely vanished by the time we reluctantly departed. This property proves that sometimes the best experiences come from being with family and engaging in simple indoor & outdoor activities. I highly recommend even if it selfishly makes it harder to book.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paula S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect island getaway
We spent 5 nights over New year’s at this beautiful beach setting. The water and white beaches were beautiful and so relaxing. Access to the beach was great and the house was very comfortable for us. And a great private and secure neighborhood! We will be back!!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Meghan C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Incredible home, beach and stellar support from owners!
Keep Smiling made for an incredible first time experience on Great Guana Cay! The location on the South end of the cay was picturesque and we were able to really relax in the peaceful surroundings! We have traveled through nearly all of the Caribbean and this water is by far the most beautiful we have ever seen...the sand is incredibly soft too! We snorkeled almost daily right off the beach by the house and saw turtles, rays, a barracuda and assorted fish as well as the wide variety of corals! We used the lovely kitchen to make a meal of conch and fish that we caught during a boat charter that we enjoyed visiting nearby cays. Molly and Stephane were incredible in their helpfulness throughout our stay! The cay is so friendly that we felt like locals by the time we left with the friendships we made at area restaurants! We HIGHLY recommend staying at this fantastic home as we plan to be back again!!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Courtney D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic Vacation
Wonderful home that has everything you could possibly need for a comfortable stay. The landscape was beautiful and the beach was amazing!! We saw maybe four other people on the beach during our entire stay. I highly recommend Keep Smiling for your next vacation, you will not be disappointed, Molly was an absolute dream to work with. She went above and beyond to make sure our trip was seamless. Thank you Molly for ensuring we had a wonderful family vacation!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tracy D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Heaven on Earth
Molly and her house were nothing but incredible! This had been my dream to finally rent this one of a kind beach home and I finally got a chance and I can say I was in heaven the whole time. The property is a huge, well manicured yard with beautiful flowers and trees. The deck over the beach was my favorite spot with views of the almost private beach and reef! My boys and I snorkeled all day. Molly was beyond helpful and more than accommodating from beginning to end. She’s the nicest person/host I’ve ever experienced. The home is situated off the beaten path which we love - yet the most gorgeous golf cart ride to the main town. You won’t regret staying here. We are grateful Molly and her husband have shared their slice of paradise with our family!! Memories for a lifetime 💙
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anne D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful sandy beach!
House clean. Molly & Gina very informative and helpful. Remote location, bring bug spray!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marcel D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
May fishing trip
Home is a distance from town but that is exactly what we wanted needed. Hosts were very helpful and knowledgeable. The property itself is stunning… right out front door side doors is pure bliss views. Interior is island chic everything was clean and functional. Overall an outstanding visit.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie S., Wichita, KS

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A piece of paradise
Enjoyed a 3-night stay in Guana Cay! Couldn’t have asked for more accommodating hosts who provided helpful info throughout the rental process and our stay. Will definitely rent again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Peter B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Tropical retreat
Beautiful tropical property and very well equipped home, private beach front house. The property owners were available at any time to answer questions.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

G & C W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
One of the best homes & in all of the Abaco!
The setting of this 5+ star home can not be beat. The sunrises are magnificent from every room in the house. Outstanding communications with the owner/hosts made our trip back to Guana perfect in every way. The kitchen was fully stocked, the beds were very comfortable and the walk ways around the home and down to the beach were lined with flowers and stunning greenery. We had such a rewarding time at Keep Smiling. We are ready to make plans to come back again. This property and the owner/hosts are a gem.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Teresa M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Felt like home
We loved this classic Bahamian home tucked in beautiful landscaping with a gorgeous Atlantic Ocean Beach. The remoteness and required self-sufficiency was exactly up our alley but it was also a treat to be able to go out to dinner to the newly rebuilt post-Dorian restaurant. The local grocery store also upgraded since Dorian. Was so easy to correspond with the owners; they have become our friends.
Stayed 11 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Stephen C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Truly amazing Best Host Ever and House was PERFECT!!!
When you drive up to this homes words can not describ how beautiful the setting is! The gardens were magnificiant the color of the Ocean was glowing along the sugar white sands! I have been going to the Bahamas for a while and this is by far the nicest place I have ever stayed! No hidden faults here! Incredible!!!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

David J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Keep Smiling
Great property and location.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Emily G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Guana Gem
Having stayed in Guana many times, this property exceeded our expectations by far. We brought a large group who had never seen the island before. The house was impeccably clean and generously stocked with everything you might need (except food, of course). From the beach in your backyard to the porch views, gorgeous landscaping, and the accommodating house manager/staff, you cannot go wrong with choosing this property. Everything was first class. Would stay here again in a heartbeat. Molly and Melonie, thank you for making our stay so effortless!!! Hope to see you all very soon!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Chris S., Orange County CA (San Juan Capistrano)

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Second stay at this home
We love this location and the island for its "away from it all" location. Property owner and manager are wonderful!! You wont find a better beach at your doorstep and all to yourself. One complaint, AC unit needs upgraded to larger BTU unit. It had a hard time cooling in the summer when its hot.
Stayed 13 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Bill A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful Beachfront in gated community
We love staying in Great Guana Cay, especially in Orchid Bay. The property “Keep Smiling” has a beautiful beach that’s protected nicely by a small reef. We love that it’s in a gated community. The marina is a short golf cart drive away and has a great restaurant if you don’t want to cook at home. The house has everything you need to make your own meals if you choose that route. We have stayed at Orchid Bay many times and Keep Smiling will be our “go to” option next year. Molly the property owner was in constant communication before our arrival and answered one question during our stay immediately. The property manager “Melonie” arranged for getting our luggage from our boat and also from the ferry to the house and back during our departure. All-in-all a great time and great experience.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Shanna B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Adventure in Paradise
We loved our stay at Keep Smiling! Molly helped us with every step of the planning process. The beach was perfect. The sunrises were amazing. Our family loved the snorkeling. We cannot wait to go back to Keep Smiling!
Stayed 6 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Amy H.

The place to chillax!
You will leave your cares behind when you arrive here! Location is quiet and secluded but a short golf cart ride to restaurants and grocery store. The owner Molly was awesome! Very responsive and helpful with ideas on what we should do and where to go while there. The house had all we needed for our long, relaxing, weekend and was very clean. We loved hanging out on the porch and patio lounge chairs when we were there. The house and island were amazing! Side note- Kidd’s Cove Bar & Grill is a must! It doesn’t look like much but those were some of the best stone crab claws we’ve ever had!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Paul K.

Amazing!
This property exceeded expectations in a big way. The combination of privacy, comfort and relaxation guarantees I will return for my next beach vacation. I couldn’t recommend it more
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

GeorgeAnna C.

Everything about Keep Smiling is wonderful!
Our experience at Keep Smiling was absolutely wonderful. From before booking through the end of our stay, everything about Keep Smiling was amazing. This was our first time to the Abacos, so we had many questions and need for recommendations. Molly happily answered all questions and provided recommendations for everything: transportation, restaurants, rental information, etc. Once we arrived on Great Guana Cay, we were greeted by the Property Manager who had picked up our golf cart for the week and lead us into gated Orchid Bay, down several paths to Keep Smiling. The house was tucked back in the development, steps away from the most beautiful, and very private beach. We can’t wait to plan another trip back to Guana Cay and Keep Smiling!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Stephen F.

Extraordinary!
We are already planning our return visit. I simply don’t have the words to describe this home. The beach is amazing and you can see it from almost anywhere in this beautiful house and the wrap around porch. Previous reviewers are correct, the pictures are accurate, if possible it is even more beautiful than shown. Clean, spacious, beautiful, and private; we loved every minute. And bonus - if you like to cook the kitchen is the best equipped of any place we have stayed. Most days we could walk and snorkel the 1/4 mile beach out front all by ourselves, occasionally we saw another couple. Amazing! GREAT hosts, they were extremely helpful and quickly responsive to my every question. Thanks so much to Molly and Melonie for helping make this a perfect getaway!
Stayed 10 nights in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kim C.

One of our best vacations ....
Exceeded our expectations! The house, the beach, the owners, the location - made our vacation so relaxing and easy and fun and memorable! Couldn’t have been any better! Pure paradise.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Haley S.

We LOVED our stay!!
We had an absolutely amazing time at Keep Smiling and on Great Guana Cay. Molly is such a pleasure to work with and so helpful with ideas on making your trip a wonderful experience. I could not say enough nice things about how hospitable she is. The house is fully stocked with anything you could need and we could not have had better experience. We highly recommend Keep Smiling and hope all future travelers have as good of a time as we did. Cheers! Some of our favorite things: -Renting Boats/Golf Carts from Dive Guana -Nippers Sunday -Nights at Kidd's Cove -The lagoon between Scotland Cay and Guana Cay -Walks around Hope Town (Lighthouse/Firefly/Sea Spray) -Sunsetters (We went for rib night here and had pizza one night and both were wonderful!)
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2018

About the host

Hosted by Molly

Host profile image
Our family has fallen in love with Great Guana Cay and with Keep Smiling, and its unique, peaceful charm.

We live in Austin, Texas (where we're been VRBO hosts for the past ten years), and treasure the time we're able to spend on the island with our kids.

Languages:

English, French

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests