Things to do in Long Island
17 places and activities across 3 areas: beaches, reefs, caves, settlements, food and the outings worth a boat or a long drive.
Choose a northern or southern base and allow generous driving time. Reserve the guided cave tour.
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 Long Island
Beach
Cape Santa Maria Beach
Spend time on the renowned pale-sand bay.
- Where
- Cape Santa Maria / Galliot Cay
- Getting there and time
- Car / public approach · About 4 hours
Confirm access locally. Resort services require a separate arrangement.
History and scenery
Columbus Point monument
Visit the headland monument and coastal views.
- Where
- North tip / Seymour's area
- Getting there and time
- Car / rough final approach · About 2 hours
Confirm access locally. Confirm road condition before setting out.
History
Adderley's Plantation ruins
Explore the remains of a former cotton plantation.
- Where
- Near Stella Maris
- Getting there and time
- Car / local guide · 1 to 2 hours
Confirm access locally. Confirm access and use care around fragile structures.
Beach
Stella Maris coastal walk and beach time
Explore the resort area's rocky and sandy shoreline.
- Where
- Stella Maris coast
- Getting there and time
- Car / confirm access · About 3 hours
Confirm access locally. Ask which swimming areas are suitable that day.
Nature and beach
Newton Cay footbridge and beach
Explore the far-northern shore and cay viewpoint.
- Where
- Far north / Newton Cay
- Getting there and time
- Car / local advice · About 3 hours
Confirm access locally. Confirm bridge condition. Do not rely on old directions.
Wildlife
Stella Maris marina wildlife observation
Look for marine wildlife around the marina.
- Where
- Stella Maris Marina
- Getting there and time
- Car / marina permission · 1 to 2 hours
By arrangement. Manatees or other wildlife may be absent.
Central Long Island and Deadman's Cay
Culture and sailing
Long Island Regatta viewing
Watch traditional Bahamian sailing and community celebrations.
- Where
- Salt Pond / Thompson Bay
- Getting there and time
- Seasonal event · About 5 hours
Confirm access locally. Confirm the year's regatta dates.
Cave
Hamilton's Cave guided tour
Explore an extensive cave with a local guide.
- Where
- Hamilton's / Deadman's Cay area
- Getting there and time
- Guided / reservation · About 2 hours
Confirm access locally. Arrange the owner-led visit in advance.
Food and drink
Max's Conch Bar and Grill
Try the well-known conch dishes and local food.
- Where
- Deadman's Cay / Queen's Highway
- Getting there and time
- Car / restaurant · About 2 hours
Confirm access locally. Confirm meal hours for your travel day.
Fishing
Long Island guided bonefishing
Fish shallow western flats with a local captain.
- Where
- Central west-coast flats
- Getting there and time
- Local guide / reservation · About 7 hours
Confirm access locally. Confirm the exact meeting point and fishing area.
Museum
Long Island Museum
Learn about island history and everyday life.
- Where
- Buckley's / near Deadman's Cay
- Getting there and time
- Car / appointment · 1 to 2 hours
By arrangement. Confirm opening days before driving over.
South Long Island and Clarence Town
Nature
Dean's Blue Hole
See the deep blue hole beside its sandy cove.
- Where
- Near Clarence Town / Turtle Cove
- Getting there and time
- Car / beach approach · About 3 hours
Confirm access locally. Water deepens abruptly. Arrange specialist freediving separately.
History
Clarence Town twin churches
Visit the churches associated with Father Jerome.
- Where
- Clarence Town
- Getting there and time
- Car / walk · 1 to 2 hours
Confirm access locally. Confirm access and respect worship services.
Beach
Lochabar Point Beach
Enjoy a protected coastal beach near Clarence Town.
- Where
- Lochabar / near Clarence Town
- Getting there and time
- Car / local directions · About 3 hours
Confirm access locally. Confirm the current approach and water conditions.
Scuba
South Long Island scuba excursion
Explore walls, reefs or wrecks off the southern coast.
- Where
- Clarence Town offshore
- Getting there and time
- Dive operator / reservation · About 4 hours
Confirm access locally. Exact sites depend on certification and weather.
Culture
Clarence Town harbour and waterfront
Explore the small capital and harbour scenery.
- Where
- Clarence Town
- Getting there and time
- Car / walk · About 2 hours
Confirm access locally. Combine with the churches and a local meal.
History and nature
Diamond salt-works landscape
See remains of former salt-production landscapes.
- Where
- Southeast coast / old Diamond Salt Mine area
- Getting there and time
- Car / local guide · About 3 hours
Confirm access locally. Remote industrial remains. Arrange current access locally.
Want help putting Long 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.
- Columbus Point monument: tripadvisor.com
- Stella Maris coastal walk and beach time: islands.com
- Stella Maris marina wildlife observation: marinas.com
- Newton Cay footbridge and beach: thebeachesoflongisland.com
- Long Island Regatta viewing: tourismtoday.com
- Long Island guided bonefishing: bonafidebonefishing.com
- Clarence Town twin churches: Rüdiger Stehn from Kiel, Deutschland, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Clarence Town harbour and waterfront: marinas.com
- Lochabar Point Beach: longislandrealestatebahamas.com
- Diamond salt-works landscape: longislandbahamas2012.blogspot.com
- South Long Island scuba excursion: stellamarisresort.com
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