When Hurricane Dorian devastated the Northern Bahamas in 2019, few private citizens worked harder, or provided more hurricane relief money, materials, and manpower, to help the people of who were affected the most more than Carl and Gigi Allen.
At the time, the Allen’s were beginning to rebuild Walker’s Cay in the Northern Abacos about 90 miles east of Stuart, Florida that has a legendary reputation for world-class fishing but was destroyed by a hurricane and abandoned since 2004.
“I’ve been going to Walker’s since I was a kid. And I’m still amazed that I ended up being the guy that’s bringing it back to life,” Allen says. “I knew bringing Walker’s back was going to be great for the fishing. But after the devastation of Hurricane Dorian and then Covid19, our commitment to rebuild—and help the locals by using 100% local labor—became even more important.”
The good news is the determination and hard work of the Allens and their team is paying off. Rebuilding Walker’s has already created hundreds of good new jobs for the locals that need them the most.
And now that the new and improved state-of-the-art-superyacht-friendly marina has opened, large yachts and sport fishing boats have returned to Walker’s to compete in the first fishing tournament to be held there in decades.
“I’m so proud of our team who worked so hard to get the marina ready,” Allen said the night before the Walker’s Cay Blue Marlin Invitational tournament began earlier this summer. “And honestly, we weren’t sure we were going to make it in time. But, seeing the marina full of boats like it used to be, and seeing the smiles on the faces of people who love Walker’s as much as I do is incredibly special. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world.”
The Walker’s Cay Blue Marlin Invitational also attracted big names like #1 ranked golfer in the world Dustin Johnson who competed aboard his custom-built sport fishing boat Just Chillin. He and his team ended up on the podium after three action-packed days where 26 blue marlin were caught and nearly all were released.
And now that the new marina has been enlarged and strengthened to accommodate superyachts, Johnson, Allen, and others, competed on their large offshore fishing boats during the day, then retired to comfort and service of their much larger yachts in the marina at night.
Allen’s Westport 164 Gigi was his home base as it has been since he and his wife—Gigi—have been rebuilding the island. Johnson’s yacht and the 150-foot-long Trinity Bouchon (owned by Allen’s mother Kathleen Wallgreen) was tied up right alongside Gigi in the marina.
Coincidentally, Walker’s attracted several other Westport’s including the Westport 164 Honey and the Westport 130 Top Dog as well as Westport 164 My Girl owned by the Chouest family. But I’m not surprised to see so many Westports in one place. Dino Chouest is an avid fisherman who’s family also owns Westport Yachts.
According to Allen, opening the marina is only the beginning. He and his team are working to add state-of-the-art accommodations including a pool and spa and even some bungalows at the opposite end of the island that will not only attract fishermen, but anyone who wants to escape to the special beauty of this special place.
Watch this space.
