Writing Retreats
The Intersectionality Training Institute's Writing Retreat
The Osprey, Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands, The Bahamas
Hosted by ITI Founder & President, Dr. Lisa Bowleg
The first retreat is SOLD OUT!
The second retreat is scheduled for July 27th to August 1st, 2025 - claim your spot now!

Next summer you could be here...
Fellow Writers,
Since the Intersectionality Training Institute’s first Intersectionality Summer Intensive in 2022, I’ve lost count of the number of times people have asked if we’d ever host a writing retreat in The Bahamas, the lovely country in which I was born and raised. I loved the idea of course but couldn’t envision how it would work anywhere other than Nassau—think busy and bustling island capital with distractions such as crowded hotel beaches, casinos, pricey restaurants, traffic; definitely not conducive to writing productivity.
This summer, I found the answer! Great Harbour Cay (GHC), my favorite Bahamian island, is sparsely populated and boasts a gorgeous 5-mile, white sand beach on which you are often the only person leaving footprints in the sand! Savoring the ocean’s natural beauty is GHC’s prime attraction. There is no large hotel, no coffee shop, only two mom and pop type grocery stores, no pharmacy, no nightlife, and only a handful of small restaurants, serving mainly takeaway local fare. GHC doesn’t even have a traffic light! This may sound nightmarish to some, but for me, it’s heaven. It is a place of rustic charm, where the birdlife flourishes, the abundant palm trees produce edible fruits, the marine life is immense, and where everyone knows everyone by their first name. Like I said…heaven.
Every summer I spend a week in GHC visiting one of my best childhood friends. During this year’s visit, I learned about The Osprey, a luxury, boutique oceanfront residential resort that would be ideal for a writing retreat. The owners of the property (we all hail from the same high school in Nassau) would be our gracious hosts.

The OSPREY, Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands
ITI invites writers, particularly those working on intersectionality-related manuscripts, books, and/or grant proposals to join us for a 5-night, 6 day writing retreat in GHC. Participants will savor having time to write at a gorgeous, luxurious, and exclusive beachside retreat. How exclusive you ask? There is space for just 8 people (although, opportunities for double occupancy exist). ITI invites you to enjoy this relaxing island and hidden gem as the backdrop for your writing project. See you beachside.
Warmly,
Dr. Lisa Bowleg, PhD, MA
Founder and President
Intersectionality Training Institute
- 30-plus hours of distraction-free protected time to write your manuscript, book, and/or grant proposals,
- One individual 60-minute mentorship or consultation meeting with Dr. Bowleg to discuss your writing projects, grant proposals, or professional development goals and challenges.
- Daily accountability and motivation check-ins, and writing progress report backs.
- The opportunity to be productive and Imagine getting lots of writing done and rejuvenating in an idyllic and peaceful island setting,
- We’ll have the retreat space all to ourselves! The Osprey staff and your fellow retreat participants will be the only people at the property; and
- You’ll literally be oceanside! No need to arrange transportation to the beach. The beach is mere steps from your room, and as this Osprey beachfront pic taken this summer shows, it’s peaceful and secluded.

- 5 nights and six days all-inclusive luxury accommodations (see accommodation choices below).
- Delicious, high-quality prepared meals (i.e., breakfast, lunch, dinner) served in a well-appointed guest lounge, outdoor patio, or large decks overlooking the beach;
- Ground transportation to and from GHC Airport (roughly a 10-minute drive each way);
- Daily group wellness activities (e.g., deck or beach yoga, meditation, beach and road walks);
- Complimentary broadband Wi-fi; and
- Resort fee and gratuities

- Your airfare to Nassau or Great Harbour Cay;
- Your personal snacks sourced by the Osprey at your request.
- Third party boating charges if boating activity is requested.
- On site massage by a professional massage therapist, if you’d like to have one while at the Osprey


Photo by JKF Delaney
Island Adventures, Anyone? Additional Fees Apply
The Osprey staff would also be happy to arrange private leisure activities such as boat excursions to nearby cays and islands to swim in a blue hole, explore a maze of mangroves, enjoy a massive sand dune at low tide, go conching and fishing, or just enjoying the ocean with a scenic small boat cruise. Imagine watching your boat captain dive for fresh lobsters at sea, then grill them over a makeshift stove right on the beach for your delicious lunch!
Fly from Nassau to Great Harbour Cay
You will first fly into Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA), on the island of New Providence.
After clearing immigration and customs, exit the International Terminal, turn right and walk 6 minutes to the Domestic Terminal. Two local carriers offer flights to GHC: LeAir or Flamingo Air. Consider this part of the adventure. These are small, no frills, commuter planes. Two tips - 1) Ignore the seat number on your ticket - it’s open seating, 2)Dress cool - it may be warm when you board but the AC usually kicks in after liftoff! I actually love this part of the journey as you’re in the air for only 18-20 minutes tops, and the ocean views are lovely. Because these are small planes that book quickly (locals go back and forth to Nassau frequently), once you reserve your retreat spot, you will want to book your roundtrip Nassau to GHC flight right away to secure your seat.
Both airlines typically have two flights a day; the morning flight leaves Nassau around 7:30 am or so, and the afternoon one typically leaves around 4 pm. Oh, and once you’re in the terminal, stay close to the departure gate. The flights have been known to leave ahead of time for reasons we can’t explain.
As for your return flight to Nassau; they typically leave around 8:00 am, and 4:30 pm.
Check the Leair and Flamingo Air websites for accurate departure information.

Flying Direct from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Great Harbour Cay
An alternative to flying via Nassau, you may choose a US scheduled charter flight. One operator, Makers Air flies directly from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport to Great Harbour Cay. This may be a more convenient option for those living in the southeastern USA, and may even be more cost efficient than flying first to Nassau for connection to GHC. As a guest of The Osprey, you would be able to use a special coupon code to secure a 10% discounted rate on your Makers Air booking.
Flying time is 45-60 mins and you will land directly at the GHC airport where you will quickly clear Bahamas Customs and Immigration immediately on your arrival.
The full retreat fee depends on your accommodation and occupancy type, described below:
Osprey Cottage - this room is AVAILABLE for the July 27-Aug 1 retreat

This spacious 1,000 sf cottage features a large luxury 1 bedroom king suite (1 King bed, 2 daybeds) with a great room, kitchen, shower bathroom and powder room, and private deck with ocean view. Max capacity - 3 persons.
Rate: $10,799 single occupancy; $7,288 per person, double occupancy
Wild Dilly Oceanview - this room is reserved for the July 27-Aug 1 retreat

This King suite features approximately 500 sf of living space, sitting area, kitchenette with dinette, and private deck with ocean view. Max capacity - 2 persons.
Rate: $8,667 single occupancy. $6,225 per person double occupancy
Wild Dilly Gardenview - this room is AVAILABLE for the July 27-Aug 1 retreat

This garden view suite features approximately 475 sf and can be configured with 1 king bed. It has a sitting area, kitchenette with dinette and private deck with garden view.
Rate: $7,915 single occupancy; $5,846 per person, double occupancy.
Manatee Guest - this room is reserved for the July 27-Aug 1 retreat

This deluxe queen bedroom boasts a beautiful ocean view, and dry bar.
Rate: $7,539 single occupancy; $5,658 double occupancy
The remainder of your balance is due by March 31st.
You may pay the remaining balance by ACH, credit card, check, money order, or university purchase order.
Checks/money orders may be sent to:
Intersectionality Training Institute
7715 Crittenden St
#363
Philadelphia, PA 19118
If you wish to set up an ACH payment, please email us at info@intersectionalitytraining.com


- Any toiletries and medications that you use. Remember, there is no pharmacy on GHC and so if you forget these personal items, you may be out of luck until you return home. Make a list to make sure you pack everything you can’t live without.
- Be sure to pack your epi pen or other allergy meds just in case.
- Laptop charger
- Beach basics: hat, bathing suit, flip flops, sunblock. The sun is fierce, whatever you do don’t forget your beach hat!
- For exercise: sneakers/walking shoes if you’re interested in strolling for exercise
- Any must-have snacks. You are unlikely to find your favorite cashews, granola or whatever else on GHC. Thus, as with the medication, if you know that there are favorite things that you just can’t live without, remember to pack ‘em. However, with advance notice, The OSPREY team will stock your room with your favorite snacks at your cost, and will add this to your room charge.

- Do I need a passport to enter the Bahamas? Yes, one that’s valid for the duration of your stay, including at least three months after your departure date. You will need two blank passport pages for entry stamp.
- What about a visa? No
- Where exactly is Great Harbour Cay (GHC)? GHC is the largest island of 30 in the Berry Island chain of Islands within the Bahamas archipelago. It is approximately 120 miles east of Miami, Florida and about 40 miles northwest of New Providence.
- What’s the population in The Berry Islands? Roughly 700 or so people inhabit the Berry Islands, most of them live on GHC
- What if I miss the flight to GHC? If you miss the morning flight from Nassau to GHC, you can ask to be accommodated on the afternoon flight if there is seat availability. If you miss the afternoon flight however, you’ll have to overnight in Nassau at your own expense and fly out to GHC the following morning subject to seat availability. The airlines will charge a $35 change fee. We’ve never missed a connection flight in all of our years of going to GHC, but we cut it close in 2024 when our flight out of Philadelphia was delayed. We pray that this doesn’t happen, but if your flight out of the U.S. is delayed, it could. We suggest you plan a morning arrival in Nassau, to lessen the impact of an incoming flight delay. Also, note that check-in time for Leair is an hour later than Flamingo, which might be useful for close connections. We will prepare a list of nearby Nassau hotels just in case. Note that there is no Uber in The Bahamas (the taxi commission protested it vociferously) and so you would have to take a cab from the airport to the Nassau hotel and back. That could run anywhere between $40-$65 each way depending on where you stay.
- What happens if I need medical care or have an emergency while on GHC? Basic medical services are available at the local clinic which is staffed by a doctor and 2 nurses. There is also a basic dispensary for medical supplies. However, as this is a small facility and is not staffed 24/7, it’s better to plan ahead and bring your needed medical supplies. However, for a serious emergency, air ambulance support may be coordinated by the local clinic. Be sure to check your insurance plan for air ambulance coverage.
- International calling/text messages. If you don’t have one, and you prefer not to rely on internet communication alone, you will definitely want to get an international calling plan. For internet communications, The OSPREY has free Starlink wireless internet.
- Will I have to clear Immigration and Customs?
- If Nassau is your first port of entry into The Bahamas, you will clear Immigration on arrival. The flight attendants will give you the immigration form to complete or you can find them in the Immigration Hall. You will need to provide the address and phone number of The OSPREY, which we will provide after you have reserved your spot. After collecting your checked luggage (if you have any), you will clear Customs. You’ll tell the customs officer that you are a visitor and have nothing to declare and then make a right out of the terminal and walk down to the Domestic Departures/Arrival Terminal (about a 5-minute walk).
- If you avoid Nassau and travel directly from FLL to GHC, you will clear customs and immigration at the airport in GHC. Once you have done this, you walk outside and immediately begin your adventure. GHC airport is very small, so the process is quick, easy and no lines.
- Can I bring my partner, kid(s), friend? If your partner, friend or kid will be joining the retreat as a participant who plans to write, and registers for the retreat, then, yes. Otherwise, no. The retreat is centered around writing productivity and the camaraderie and community of participating in the purpose of this retreat: writing productivity.

The ITI Writer’s Retreat is non-refundable and non-transferable. We STRONGLY advise that you purchase travel insurance.

We'd love to hear from you!
Email us at info@intersectionalitytraining.com with any questions.