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Sand So Sea: A Remote Paradise with Panoramic Ocean Views

Photo gallery for Sand So Sea: A Remote Paradise with Panoramic Ocean Views

Terrace/patio
Property grounds
Terrace/patio
Interior
Outdoor dining

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 6260.1 sq m

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

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

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

"Surf Shack" Studio Apartment (Third Bedroom)

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed

Living Room 1

1 Single Bed

Owners Bedroom

1 King Bed

Second King Bedroom "Sleeping Porch"

1 King Bed

4 bathrooms

Outdoor shower and sink

Soap · Shower only · Shampoo

Owner's Bathroom

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

Sleeping Porch Bathroom

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

Surf Shack Bathroom

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

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Sand So Sea: A Remote Paradise with Panoramic Ocean Views

Perched on the edge of a remote coral atoll, Sand So Sea offers an exceptional getaway on Great Guana Cay, an outer island of the Grand Abacos. This hand-crafted Bahamian villa is situated on a bluff providing spectacular views of the turquoise stretches of the Bay of Abaco, Scotland Cay, and the Atlantic Ocean.

The house itself is 2800 square feet comprised of three bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, each with it's own independent entrance, indoor and outdoor living/dining areas, a bedroom and bathroom. With natural wood finishes, custom cabinets, and marine grade fittings, the space is like a "ship on land" and has been crafted for comfort and efficiency. We have an automatic generator that runs all the functions of the house in case there is loss of power.

The wrap around deck effectively doubles the living space, with 300 degree views of water, stretching from the Bay of Abaco on the west all the way to the Atlantic Ocean to the immediate east. From the deck, enjoy dazzling sunrises each morning, and from the dock, flaming sunsets over the bay.

Great Guana Cay's miles of white powder beaches begin just a few minutes walk from Sand So Sea, and are so isolated that often the only footsteps in the sand will be yours. Additionally, there are both inner and outer coral reefs that run the length of Guana Cay. If you love snorkeling, swimming, diving, kayaking, boating or fishing, all of it is accessible by foot, golf cart, boat or kayak.

The settlement of Great Guana is located about 2 miles west of the house. A tiny outcropping with a population of under 200 people, the settlement hugs Guana Harbour and has a grocery, rental agencies for boats and tours, and several restaurants boasting colorful beach bars.

This is a unique property and we hope you will find, as we do, that it is a shatteringly beautiful place and that it will provide you with the getaway of a lifetime.

Please note that we book up to a year in advance, but reserve the right to defer beyond that, as rates may need to change from year to year.

Property manager

Dana Conley
Premier Host

Languages

English, French, Italian

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Gym

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Beach in front of the house

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

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
10.0 out of 10, (42 reviews)
Exceptional Beach, Reef, and Home on Private South End of Great Guana Cay

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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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

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
Long-term renters welcome
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 indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Great Guana Cay

Located in Great Guana Cay, this villa is on the beach. Wyannie Malone Museum and Albert Lowe Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Abaco Marina and Marsh Harbour. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing, kayaking and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails.
Map
Great Guana Cay, Hope Town

What's nearby

  • Abaco Beach - 22 min drive - 14.0 km
  • Guana Cay Beach - 26 min drive - 3.7 km
  • Garbanzo Beach - 27 min drive - 18.6 km
  • Tahiti Beach - 27 min drive - 18.6 km

Getting around

  • Marsh Harbour (MHH) - 19 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Grabbers - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Conch Shack - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Nippers - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Mermaids On The Rocks - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Sunsetter Orchid Bay - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Sand So Sea: A Remote Paradise with Panoramic Ocean Views pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Sand So Sea: A Remote Paradise with Panoramic Ocean Views?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Sand So Sea: A Remote Paradise with Panoramic Ocean Views?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Sand So Sea: A Remote Paradise with Panoramic Ocean Views located?

Nestled on the beach, this Great Guana Cay villa is steps from Lucayan Archipelago and 2.3 mi (3.7 km) from Guana Cay Beach. Abaco Beach and Tahiti Beach are also within 12 miles (20 km).

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. 78 out of 80 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 80 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 80 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 80 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 80 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kevin K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Experience
Outstanding accommodations and location! Dana made our trip a perfect quick family get away.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Austin B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing place, amazing host
Best VRBO we’ve ever stayed.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

brenda S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great!
Great vacation. Great home. Great views
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

christopher s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Best property we’ve ever stayed at
Best experience! We travel all the time as we fly for for a major US Airline so we’ve been all over the world. This property and owner are amazing! Go. Stay here! You won’t regret it.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Candace C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spring Break 2024
We had the most amazing time with our family, the views were spectacular. The home is exquisite. We have never stayed in such a nice property on such a gorgeous island.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

James S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The End, Amazing
You are literally perched up high at a point at the end of the island with endless views of water everywhere. The home is exquisite with incredibly fine appointments, including luxurious sheets and spreads. The outdoor space is amazing and if that wasn’t enough, we were traveling by boat and Dana, the owner, handled all the last minute logistics for us which was huge. Big thank you!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
5 star experience
I cannot say enough nice things about our experience. Dana was extremely helpful and went above and beyond to make sure our trip was amazing. She communicated with us before and during our stay. The house was beautiful, well stocked and perfectly clean. The views are as good or better as shown in the pictures. Truly breathtaking!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lee Ann L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
South End Guana
This was our first stay on Guana. The house and grounds were extremely well kept and in working order. Host and crew took very good care of us! Location of house is private (which we prefer) but town is a short ride away. The house has spectacular views of the Atlantic and Scotland Lagoon. I would highly recommend this property!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a beautiful place!
Sand So Sea is absolutely breathtaking! The views from outside are stunning and tranquil. The home is professionally decorated with wonderful finishings. All of the appliances are top of the line and the location is quiet, private and peaceful. We cannot wait to book again. Thank you for helping us make some really special memories!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Angela B.

Immaculate with amazing views
Meticulously kept, quaint cottage with the most beautiful views I have ever seen! My husband and I were able to just relax and step away from daily stresses. The simple life. This is what Dolphin Lookout is all about! Highly recommend and would definately go back!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Dare M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Abaco Christmas
We had the loveliest time at Sand So Sea over the Christmas Holiday week. My husband and our 4 adult children stayed to celebrate our daughter’s college graduation and the Christmas holiday. The property and home were stunning and the views cannot be matched. Our host, Dana, was amazing! Responsive and accommodating, she thought of everything and took fantastic care to assure our experience was fantastic. We will be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert M.

"Nirvana on Guana Cay"
My wife and I enjoyed a wonderful week at Dolphin Lookout. Words cannot describe the serenity and peacefulness as you watch the ocean during the day and listen to the surf at night. It was hard to read and not take in the passage between Scotland Cay and the "bluewater" outside the reef. The cottage's kitchen had everything one needs for meal preparation. Excellent selection of dinner and cookware to satisfy your gastronomical desires. The Settlement also offers great lunch options, especially Grabber's. We re-connected with staff members from previous visits who made us feel welcome and appreciated. Looking forward to our next visit!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2018

8/10 Good

Brent S.

This is a very wonderful and special place - - - But
Our recent stay at the Dolphin Lookout was the third time we have been there. It is truly a magical place for those who are looking for complete privacy and amazing views. It accommodates only a couple but I can't imagine a more romantic and peaceful place. The "but" I refer has nothing to do with the place itself but rather the power source for the whole area of islands. The power was on only intermittently for the whole time we were there. For us this wasn't a big issue because there is a generator that supplies power for most of the house. It does not, however, run the electric range for cooking. That didn't bother us very much since there is a propane barbecue there and great places to eat down in the village. The area does have to get their power issues fixed though.
Stayed 14 nights in Feb 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Maureen Z.

Beautiful and secluded!
My husband and I just returned from Dolphin Lookout. It was spectacular! It would be a perfect honeymoon location! You can see gorgeous views of the water all around you and the breezes were just heavenly! Every day, I did my morning yoga out in the yard, right on the edge overlooking Scotland Cay. Then we'd listen to the marine forecast...(same beautiful weather every day) and head to the beach. We were there before the "season" I think because we almost had the beach to ourselves every day. I've never seen such beautiful beaches! Crystal clear turquoise water and powdery white sand. We didn't leave the island or even use the kayaks so, next time, we'd probably rent a boat and explore the other cays. We bought our groceries in Marsh Harbour and ferried them over. I was glad we did it that way. The market on the island carries a lot but the store in Marsh Harbour is more of a "full on" grocery store so we were able to mostly cover our week. We also lucked out and got some fresh grouper at the dock. There is nothing like fresh grouper! Can't wait to return!!

10/10 Excellent

Steve K.

Fantastic as always
We've been several times and the view off the porch never ceases to amaze us. As usual, Ben's house was clean, comfortable and stocked with necessities. The wifi worked perfectly and the power stayed on the whole week so we didn't have to use the generator. We had some great snorkeling in Scotland Bay and at Caysera (see Ben's guidebook for snorkeling excursions). The snorkeling off the dock wasn't as good as it had been on prior visits but we may have just hit a couple of off days. We loved the new restaurant Mermaids and highly recommend it for dinner (they don't open until 4:30 and I think they're closed on Monday and Tuesday). Cheesy name but good food and excellent view off the deck. We rented a boat from Troy at Dive Guana and didn't really care for it - very slow and burned through fuel like crazy so it was expensive. We've had better boats from Water Ways and Conch Pearl and they will pick you up in Marsh Harbour to go get the boat so you don't have to bother with the ferry schedule. Note to Central Floridians re flights: We used to use Air Gate out of New Smyrna and they're awesome, but now that we've flown several times with Air Unlimited we feel comfortable recommending them as well, particularly since they are just using the King Airs for Abaco charters now. We've had very good experiences with them. Happy Traveling! And thank you to Ben and Cathy for providing such a wonderful home!! :)
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lisa B., Florida

Peace on Earth
We were there for a week at the end of March and it was fantastic. I would strongly recommend you call Susan Knowles (her number is in the guide provided to you) to pick you up at the airport and take you to the grocery store and on to the ferry. She was wonderful. The house, as everyone says, was set in the most unbelievably beautiful place. If I had any concerns ahead of time it was that the deck might be too small or that the trees might block the view unless you were standing up, but neither proved to be true. You can lie in bed and see the water out the front doors and out the windows beside you. Views everywhere. Those on the beachfront don't have 1/2 the view this house has. We did not hear anything other than the waves crashing on the rocks all week long except the birds chirping. Nothing. Privacy galore! We did see Bob, the barracuda, two times under the dock. We were surprised that the water was cooler than we expected and it was quite windy for the first few days which made the ocean/beachside very rough and swimming would have been challenging. But, no matter what, that Caysera beach is as pretty as any beach can be. Just as promised, we were alone on the beach almost every time we went and, when there was someone there, they were leaving as we arrived. The bed is super comfortable but small. My only recommendation would be that they purchase some additional glassware. We drank our cocktails from coffee cups and our wine from margarita glasses.... but hey... who cares when you are in paradise!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2017

10/10 Excellent

robert n.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything that it was advertised to be or how they recommend
First class
Stayed 10 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Cindy K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Paradise
This was our second trip to Dolphin Lookout for my husband and I. We went last July for only 1 week and thought it wasn't long enough so this trip we stayed for almost 2 weeks and think this trip was even better than the last. The views from Dolphin Lookout are simply breathtaking. We enjoyed sitting in the chairs under the palm tree enjoying morning coffee. We swam and snorkeled from the lagoon side where we saw barracuda, Angel fish and a very large shark (we didn't stay in the water to find out what kind it was it was probably 6') We watched the sunset from the dock most nights and swam there too. We say a few manta rays from the dock. We kayaked in the lagoon 3 days seeing many fish, shark, rays and turtles. Snorkeled under the neighbors dock and the sunken tree and the fish were plentiful. Just like swimming in an aquarium. We rented a boat from Troy at Dive Guana for 3 days to Island hop and to do some snorkeling. We even went out with him on a dive trip to Fowl Cay and met people from Kansas and Oklahoma. It was a great trip and would recommend anyone to go out with him if they have the opportunity. Jack was amazing to work with to ensure we had everything we needed. Our trip was beautiful, relaxing and just want we needed to rejuvenate ourselves to our work life. We are making the Abaco's a yearly trip. Unfortunately our next visit will not be at Dolphin Lookout only because we are bringing friends to enjoy in Paradise with us. Thank you for sharing your little piece of Heaven on Earth with us.
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Donna N., Mosinee, WI

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Tranquil Paradise
This little Cay is breathtakingly beautiful and the cottage is the best one on the island. Magnificent views

10/10 Excellent

Kevin G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
At the end of the island
What a fantastic week!!! Didn't miss a TV once. Quiet seclusion at Dolphin Lookout. The house was a private getaway for us. The amenities were nice, the history and information impressive. Being off the beaten path had tons of advantages. Empty beaches, tons of exploring and relaxation as waves crashed into the coral. Drives to town were full of fully blooming tropical plants and trees. The people on island were friendly at every step. Gina and Ronald were an awesome resource for "what to do" and "where to go" on the island. Travel between islands was easy. Book your guides early or risk not being able to fish offshore. Boat rental is easy and affordable. Ben and Cathy, Thank you so much for sharing Dolphin Lookout with us. It's a great place for two people to escape to, relax and recharge. Kevin & Pam
Stayed 7 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jacqueline Z.

Once again, perfect for us
This was our third consecutive year visiting Dolphin Lookout, although last year we were, generously, day visitors, as DL's owner, Ben, was in residence. There is nothing to add regarding the view; it is beyond compare. As always, all of the nearby beaches are beautiful, the snorkeling amazing and the cottage comfortable and well appointed. The kitchen is equipped with everything we needed to cook our meals. We love the secluded nature of the property, listening to the surf, particularly with easterly winds, and exploring all the paths Ben has created both to the Atlantic and Scotland Lagoon. The Cay itself is small, quiet and friendly. We've met some great people and had interesting conversations with owners, renters, workers and residents. We'll be back. Thanx, Ben, for sharing this magical place with us.
Stayed 23 nights in Apr 2019

8/10 Good

Karen K.

Very good place to completely get away from it all
Have stayed on Guana and have boated in Abacos previously. If you appreciate total peace and relaxation you will thoroughly enjoy this special place.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Byron G.

Heaven on Earth!!!
We loved our stay at Ben's sweet beach house on Great Guana Cay! The views are breathe-taking....what a special place to spend your vacation. The house is very comfortable and has everything you need to enjoy your stay. We cooked our breakfasts and dinners at the house, which made our stay very relaxing. The sunsets from the bay side on the private dock were spectacular and my husband also fished from the dock and caught a handful of fish. We walked all of the private beach areas, which are beautiful and found the locals to be very friendly. The care-takers were very welcoming and answered all of our questions. We will come back some day to heaven on earth!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Richard B.

Best of both worlds!
We had such an amazing time at Dolphin Lookout. We walked the length of Ocean Beach from the Lookout, snorkelled both from the dock and Cay Sera Beach, caught snapper from the dock where we also saw a very large shark, a barracuda, a turtle and a big blue fish that we think was a tang. We enjoyed every sunset from the dock and sat for ages watching the waves crash in on the ocean side, particularly spectacular as we had some high winds. And then at night we were lulled to sleep to the sound of the ocean just beyond the window. The property could be known as Best of Both Worlds as, unlike other properties in the area it affords the opportunity to enjoy both sides of the island in complete privacy. This means that if the wind is blowing on the ocean side the Abaco side is sheltered and vice versa. Or, regardless of conditions, it simply provides for a greater range of experiences. The owners sent us very comprehensive information about the accommodation and the locality before we embarked on our trip to which we referred again and again throughout our stay. This reflects the affection that they themselves have for the place which in turn is mirrored in the attention to detail and the cosiness and comfort inside the house. It was, indeed, all truly magical.
Stayed 9 nights in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Matt B.

Amazing views!
We stayed at Dolphin Lookout for our honeymoon after getting married on the beach just down the road. The views were beautiful day and night. We could not have asked for a more romantic place.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2019

About the host

Hosted by Dana Conley

Host profile image
Jack Dillon is a property manager in Savannah Georgia, and an old friend of the Owner, Dana Conley. Dana travels professionally and is not always available, so Jack is the reservation manager for Dana in her absence. (He is not the Owner, contrary to what it says below!)

Dana Conley fell in love with international travel during college while studying art and politics abroad in Florence, Italy. She majored in International Relations at Stanford and has traveled to over 50 countries in search of authentic adventures, beautiful meals, and life-changing moments to share with her private and organizational clients.

In 2009, Dana made her home in France in order to pursue her passion for cheese, art and cultural curiosities. Now, running trips in several countries, Dana divides her time between France, Italy, the UK, Germany, and the new Conley & Silvers headquarters in New York City.

Both Dana and Jack have both been known to enjoy a rum infused coconut....

Why they chose this property

Dana Conley regularly travels to exotic locals; Tanzania, Vienna, Paris, Scotland, Spain...

She began vacationing at Dolphin Lookout several years ago, fell in love, and through grit and determinations was able to convince the former owners that she would take care of it as they had if only they consented to sell it to her.

And they did.

With the world at her fingertips, this is where she goes to get away from it all.

What makes this property unique

Dana spends a month or so each year at Dolphin Lookout. She spend most of the time just staring at the ever changing kaleidoscope of blues and greens in the vast seascape. It is a profoundly beautiful and relaxing vista.

Languages:

English, French, Italian

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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