- Pace
- For a first visit, use one base for 4–6 nights only if you have a rental car and accept one full-island drive as a real excursion, not a casual errand. With a week or more, split between a north base and a central or southern base: Stella Maris is about 45 minutes from Deadman’s Cay, while Cape Santa Maria is roughly an hour away. There is no dependable islandwide public transport, and taxis—especially from Deadman’s Cay—need arranging ahead.
- When to go
- November through April is the dependable window: drier air, easier beach days and fewer weather disruptions, though Christmas/New Year and the late-winter-to-Easter stretch strain the island’s small stock of rooms, cars and flights. March–April is the best all-round balance if you want warmth plus the Salt Pond Mutton Festival; June is for the Long Island Regatta and visitors who can take heat and showers. Avoid September–October for any fixed-date or once-only trip: hurricane risk peaks and Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort closes, removing a major northern base.
- Daily budget
- US$350–600 / B$350–600 per day
Long Island is a thin, roughly 80-mile Out Island in the southern Bahamas for beaches, diving, fishing, caves and genuine quiet—not nightlife, shopping or a polished resort circuit. Its appeal is the contrast between the sheltered, white-sand west coast and the raw Atlantic east coast, plus a chain of tiny settlements rather than anything resembling a city. It is beautiful partly because it is underbuilt: expect limited restaurants, intermittent hours, costly imports and little room for transport plans to fail.
Known for
- Cape Santa Maria Beach
- Dean’s Blue Hole
- Bonefishing and diving
- Hamilton’s Cave
- Long Island Regatta and Bahamian sloop culture
Where to go
Cape Santa Maria and Galliot Cay
1Base · 3–4 nights
Cape Santa Maria and Galliot Cay
The island’s strongest beach base: four miles of pale sand, calm Bahama Bank water and sunsets without needing an itinerary. Stay here to swim, paddle and properly switch off; bring a car if you want to see anything beyond the northwest.
beach puristshoneymoonersfamiliesfirst-timers
Explore Cape Santa Maria and Galliot Cay Stella Maris
2Stella Maris
Base · 1–3 nights
The practical north-island base for diving, fishing and boat outings, with the airport, marina and established dive infrastructure close at hand. Choose it over Cape Santa Maria if water activities and easier transfers matter more than a perfect swimming beach outside your room.
diversanglersindependent travelers
Clarence Town and Dean’s Blue Hole
3Clarence Town and Dean’s Blue Hole
Base · 1–2 nights
The best south-island pairing: a quiet harbour with Father Jerome’s twin-towered churches, plus the island’s defining natural landmark at nearby Lochabar Bay. Dean’s is spectacular from shore, but treat its extreme depth as a serious dive site rather than a casual jumping spot.
swimmersphotographersarchitecture lovers
Salt Pond and Long Island Harbour
4Salt Pond and Long Island Harbour
Base · 1–4 nights
Long Island’s cultural middle and the smartest central base for reaching both ends of the island without making every outing a long haul. Come for the regatta ground, Mutton Festival atmosphere and a more local, less resort-led rhythm.
independent travelersfoodiesevent travelers
Hamilton’s and Hamilton’s Cave
5Hamilton’s and Hamilton’s Cave
Base · 1–3 days
A small inland stop with the island’s best land-based diversion: a substantial cave system with Lucayan history and guided access. It fits naturally on the north-to-south transfer day rather than warranting an all-day expedition.
history-minded travelersfamilies with older childrenroad-trippers
Deadman’s Cay
6Deadman’s Cay
Short stop · 1 day
Function rather than fantasy: this is the place for LGI airport access, provisions, car arrangements and a useful local-food stop at Max’s Conch Bar & Grill. It makes sense as a short-stay base or as a practical stop between Salt Pond and Clarence Town.
self-driversshort-stay visitorsfoodies
Columbus Point and the Far North
7Columbus Point and the Far North
Short stop · 1 day
A worthwhile scenic drive for open-water views, a local historical monument and big-sky photographs. Pair it with Cape Santa Maria; from the south, it is too far for a casual detour.
road-tripperscyclistslandscape photographers
East-Coast Atlantic Side
8East-Coast Atlantic Side
The wilder counterpoint to the west coast: rocky edges, blowholes, natural pools and Atlantic-facing dive or snorkel access. Visit for scenery and sea conditions, not as the default place for an easy swim when trade winds are up.
photographersdiversadventurous travelers
Don't miss
1
Dean's Blue Hole
One of the world’s deepest known saltwater blue holes, Dean’s is the defining natural sight on Long Island and is striking even if you never enter the water. Swim only with sensible conditions and supervision; most visitors should treat it as a beach-and-viewpoint stop rather than a diving challenge.
2
Long Island
The island itself is the draw: a long, sparsely developed ribbon of cliffs, blue holes, settlements and exceptional beaches. First-timers should plan it as a road-trip destination with a rental car, not as a place to experience from one resort compound.
3
Cape Santa Maria Beach
Cape Santa Maria is among the island’s signature beaches: long white sand, shallow clear water and a genuinely remote feel. Give it enough time for a swim and walk rather than treating it as a photo stop on a rushed island circuit.
Getting your bearings
Numbers match the places above; small dots are the headline sights.
The mental map
Think in three zones rather than towns. The north—Stella Maris, Cape Santa Maria, Columbus Point and Galliot Cay—is the beach-and-water-sports end; the center around Salt Pond, Hamilton’s and Deadman’s Cay is the practical heart for flights, provisions and car hire; south-central Clarence Town, Lochabar and Dean’s Blue Hole adds harbour life, churches and the island’s signature landmark. The west coast faces the shallow, calmer Bahama Bank; the east faces the Atlantic and is for rocky scenery, caves, blowholes and rougher water rather than default swimming.
When to go
November through April is the dependable window: drier air, easier beach days and fewer weather disruptions, though Christmas/New Year and the late-winter-to-Easter stretch strain the island’s small stock of rooms, cars and flights. March–April is the best all-round balance if you want warmth plus the Salt Pond Mutton Festival; June is for the Long Island Regatta and visitors who can take heat and showers. Avoid September–October for any fixed-date or once-only trip: hurricane risk peaks and Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort closes, removing a major northern base.
Pacing a visit
For a first visit, use one base for 4–6 nights only if you have a rental car and accept one full-island drive as a real excursion, not a casual errand. With a week or more, split between a north base and a central or southern base: Stella Maris is about 45 minutes from Deadman’s Cay, while Cape Santa Maria is roughly an hour away. There is no dependable islandwide public transport, and taxis—especially from Deadman’s Cay—need arranging ahead.
Getting in
NASNassau, New Providence
The main connection point for Long Island. Most international visitors fly into Nassau, then take a domestic flight to Deadman’s Cay or Stella Maris; leave a substantial connection buffer, since domestic schedules are limited and disruptions can affect the whole trip.
Flights and transfers into NassauLGIDeadman’s Cay, Long Island
The most useful arrival airport for Salt Pond, Deadman’s Cay, Hamilton’s Cave and Clarence Town/Dean’s Blue Hole. It is the sensible choice for a central or southern base, but rental cars and transfers need arranging before arrival.
SMLStella Maris, Long Island
Best for Stella Maris, Cape Santa Maria and the northern dive/fishing zone. It saves a long drive if the north is your main base, but it is roughly 45–60 minutes by road from Deadman’s Cay and the central/southern sights.
FLLFort Lauderdale, Florida
A possible US-side gateway for travelers using the limited direct or charter-style Long Island air links when operating. Treat these services as schedule-sensitive rather than a dependable daily network; Nassau is usually the safer fallback.
Before you go
Questions worth settling
How many days do I need for Long Island?
Plan 4–6 nights for a first visit if you rent a car and are comfortable making one full-island drive. With a week or more, split your stay between the north—Cape Santa Maria or Stella Maris—and Salt Pond, Deadman’s Cay or Clarence Town in the central/south.
Where should I base myself: Cape Santa Maria, Stella Maris, Salt Pond or Clarence Town?
Choose Cape Santa Maria for the island’s best easy-swimming beach and a true switch-off stay; choose Stella Maris for diving, fishing, marina access and the north airport. Salt Pond is the most practical central base for exploring both ends and for the Regatta or Mutton Festival, while Clarence Town suits visitors focused on its harbour, churches and nearby Dean’s Blue Hole.
Can I combine the north and south of Long Island in one stay?
Yes, but treat the distance seriously: Stella Maris is about 45 minutes from Deadman’s Cay, and Cape Santa Maria is around an hour away. Pair Cape Santa Maria with Columbus Point and the Far North; pair Clarence Town with Dean’s Blue Hole, and include Hamilton’s Cave on a north–south transfer day.
Do I need a rental car on Long Island?
Yes, unless you intend to remain at one resort or beach base. There is no dependable islandwide public transport, and taxis from Deadman’s Cay/LGI generally need to be arranged in advance rather than found on arrival or used for all-day touring.
Which airport should I fly into?
Fly into Deadman’s Cay (LGI) for Salt Pond, Hamilton’s Cave, Deadman’s Cay, Clarence Town and Dean’s Blue Hole; fly into Stella Maris (SML) for Stella Maris, Cape Santa Maria and the northern diving/fishing zone. Most international visitors connect through Nassau, so leave a substantial buffer for the domestic flight.
Do I need a visa to visit Long Island, Bahamas?
Most short-stay visitors with US, Canadian, UK or EU passports can enter The Bahamas without a tourist visa, but need a valid passport, return or onward travel and accommodation details; immigration may also request proof of funds. Requirements and permitted stay lengths vary by nationality, so confirm with Bahamas Immigration before booking.
When is the best time to visit Long Island?
November through April is the most dependable period for drier weather and easier beach days, with March–April the strongest all-round choice. June is ideal for the Long Island Regatta in Salt Pond if you can handle heat and showers; avoid September–October for fixed-date trips because hurricane disruption risk is highest and Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort closes.
What should I book ahead?
Book domestic flights, accommodation and a rental car at the same time, especially for Christmas/New Year, March school-break weeks, the Salt Pond Mutton Festival and June’s Long Island Regatta. Also arrange airport transfers before arrival if you are not renting a car, and call ahead for dinner because independent restaurants can have irregular hours.
Known for
- Cape Santa Maria Beach
- Dean’s Blue Hole
- Bonefishing and diving
- Hamilton’s Cave
- Long Island Regatta and Bahamian sloop culture