Things to do in Cat Island
16 places and activities across 3 areas: beaches, reefs, caves, settlements, food and the outings worth a boat or a long drive.
Hire a vehicle or local guide for the long island. Confirm small-business opening dates and appointments.
Everything here is a real place or a real local activity, checked against local sources. Photographs are used with permission and credited below, and appear only where one exists for that exact place or activity. We do not show star ratings from other platforms. Each entry says how you reach it, roughly how long to allow and what to confirm locally, because access on the Out Islands changes with tides, weather, private ownership and the season.
North Cat Island
Food and drink
Da Smoke Pot Bahamian meal
Try Bahamian dishes at a locally run restaurant.
- Where
- Arthur's Town
- Getting there and time
- Car / reservation advised · About 2 hours
Confirm access locally. Confirm the day's menu and opening hours.
Nature
Big Blue Hole viewpoint
See the inland blue hole and hear local folklore.
- Where
- Orange Creek / off Dickie's Road
- Getting there and time
- Car / local guide · 1 to 2 hours
Confirm access locally. Strong currents are reported. Treat this as a viewing stop.
Cave
Griffin Bat Cave guided visit
Explore a cave associated with refuge and local history.
- Where
- Griffin Bat Cave / Dickie's Road area
- Getting there and time
- Local guide / permission · About 2 hours
By arrangement. Arrange access and an appropriate guide.
Museum
Columbus World Centre Museum
Learn about the island's history at the listed local museum.
- Where
- Knowles
- Getting there and time
- Appointment / verify operation · About an hour
By arrangement. Current visitor opening arrangements were not verified.
Central Cat Island and New Bight
History and scenery
The Hermitage on Mount Alvernia
Climb to Father Jerome's hilltop stone hermitage.
- Where
- New Bight / Mount Alvernia
- Getting there and time
- Car / uphill walk · About 2 hours
Confirm access locally. The approach includes uneven steps.
Beach and food
New Bight beach and fish-fry visit
Combine beach time with the local food stalls.
- Where
- New Bight coast
- Getting there and time
- Car · About 3 hours
Confirm access locally. Check which stalls are serving.
Beach
Fernandez Bay beach visit
Explore the sheltered bay and sandy shoreline.
- Where
- Fernandez Bay / near New Bight
- Getting there and time
- Car / confirm access · About 3 hours
Confirm access locally. Resort services require permission or a booking.
Nature
Armbrister Creek and Boiling Hole
Explore the creek's mangrove and tidal-lake environment.
- Where
- Armbrister Creek
- Getting there and time
- Local guide / boat · About 3 hours
Confirm access locally. Confirm the route and conditions with a local guide.
South Cat Island
Beach
Greenwood pink-sand beach
Explore Cat Island's extensive pink-sand coast.
- Where
- Port Howe / Greenwood coast
- Getting there and time
- Car / confirm access · About 4 hours
Confirm access locally. Ask the local property operator about access and conditions.
Fishing
Cat Island guided fishing day
Fish offshore waters with a local captain.
- Where
- Cat Island offshore waters
- Getting there and time
- Charter / reservation · About 7 hours
Confirm access locally. Confirm the launch, target species and season.
Food and drink
Da Pink Chicken Beach Bar
Enjoy a waterfront bar when the operator reopens.
- Where
- Bain Town / Flamingo Hills Marina
- Getting there and time
- Seasonal closure announced · About 2 hours
Seasonal closure announced. Operator notice says closed from August 3 until November 2026. Reconfirm reopening.
History
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
See another of Father Jerome's church buildings.
- Where
- Old Bight
- Getting there and time
- Car / permission · About an hour
By arrangement. Arrange an interior visit. Respect services.
History
Deveaux House plantation ruins
Explore the remains of an eighteenth-century plantation.
- Where
- Port Howe
- Getting there and time
- Car / local guide · 1 to 2 hours
Confirm access locally. Confirm access and keep clear of unstable masonry.
Sailing
Cat Island sailing charter
Explore beaches and snorkelling stops from the water.
- Where
- Cat Island coastal waters
- Getting there and time
- Charter / reservation · About 7 hours
Confirm access locally. Departure location and route depend on the charter.
Nature and folklore
Mermaid Hole
Visit the inland pool associated with mermaid stories.
- Where
- Bain Town
- Getting there and time
- Car / local directions · About an hour
Confirm access locally. Legends are folklore. Ask about current site access.
Culture
Sidney Poitier childhood-home area
Learn about Poitier's connection with Cat Island.
- Where
- South Bight
- Getting there and time
- Local guide / exterior only · About an hour
Confirm access locally. A private-home area. Do not assume interior access.
Want help putting Cat Island together?
Tell us your dates, your base and what caught your eye on this list. We will suggest a realistic order, the boats or drivers you need, and the places that are worth confirming first.
Photo credits
- Unattributed photographs: Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, used with permission.
- Big Blue Hole viewpoint: vagabundsa.com
- Griffin Bat Cave guided visit: vagabundsa.com
- New Bight beach and fish-fry visit: sandee.com
- Deveaux House plantation ruins: traveladventures.org
- Mermaid Hole: The Domestic Tourist / Noelle Khalila
- Da Pink Chicken Beach Bar: dapinkchicken.com
- Greenwood pink-sand beach: caribjournal.com
- Cat Island sailing charter: calvertsails.com
Back to the Cat Island travel guide, or see every island in the islands overview.