Cat Island, Bahamas – Your Ultimate Off-the-Beaten-Path Beach Escape

If you’re seeking an island experience that blends tranquility, history, adventure, and soul-soothing nature, then Cat Island in The Bahamas is your dream destination. Often overlooked in favor of its glitzier neighbors like Nassau or Paradise Island, Cat Island remains refreshingly uncommercial, unspoiled, and deeply rooted in local culture.
 

As your virtual tour guide, I invite you to discover why Cat Island is a place where time slows down, the sea sparkles like sapphires, and the people welcome you like family.

📍 Where Is Cat Island?

Country: The Bahamas

Location: Eastern Bahamas, between Eleuthera and Long Island

Coordinates: 24.2264° N, 75.5230° W

Size: About 150 square miles (one of the larger Bahamian islands)

Population: ~1,500 residents

✈️ How to Get There:

By Air: Daily flights from Nassau to Arthur’s Town Airport (ATC) or New Bight Airport (TBI)

By Boat: Charter yachts or ferries occasionally stop here

Cat Island’s remote location makes it ideal for travelers looking to disconnect from the crowds and reconnect with nature.

🏖️ Why Visit Cat Island?

1. Unspoiled Beaches with No Crowds

Cat Island’s beaches stretch for miles—often without another soul in sight. Highlights include:

Fernandez Bay Beach – Ideal for swimming and snorkeling

Greenwood Beach – Known for pink sand and privacy

Old Bight Beach – Wide, calm waters, great for families

Port Howe Beach – Rustic, scenic, and perfect for picnics

You’ll find zero high-rise hotels, just pure, untouched Caribbean coastline.

2. Mount Alvernia and The Hermitage

The Bahamas' highest point isn’t high in global terms (206 feet), but it offers:

A panoramic view of the entire island

A visit to The Hermitage, a stone monastery built by Father Jerome in the 1930s

Peaceful energy, spiritual beauty, and excellent photography opportunities

Hiking up Mount Alvernia is a must-do on Cat Island.

3. Authentic Bahamian Culture

Cat Island is the birthplace of Rake 'n' Scrape music—a traditional Bahamian genre involving goatskin drums and saws.

Other cultural highlights:

Small settlements like Arthur’s Town, New Bight, and Old Bight

Friendly locals who still fish, farm, and bake bread in outdoor ovens

Handmade straw crafts and local art

Stories passed down from the days of Loyalist settlers and enslaved Africans

4. Diving and Snorkeling

The surrounding waters are teeming with marine life and underwater wonders:

Coral reefs, blue holes, and drop-offs for divers

Devil’s Point and Columbus Point for scenic snorkeling

Untouched dive sites with great visibility and no crowds

Charter options available through local lodges and guesthouses

5. Historic Ruins and Local Lore

Explore the remains of:

Plantation ruins from the 1700s, including walls and stone ovens

Arawak caves and Lucayan sites with cave drawings

The Loyalist ruins at Port Howe

Haunted legends and folktales shared around evening bonfires

🧳 Things to Do on Cat Island

🍽️ Where to Eat: Island Flavors

Cat Island offers a limited but soulful selection of eateries, mostly attached to small inns or run by local families.

Must-Try Dishes:

Stewed conch and rice

Fried snapper or grouper

Cracked lobster tail

Coconut bread and guava duff

Fresh tropical juices and Sky Juice (coconut water & gin)

Recommended spots include:

Yardie's Restaurant – Local dishes with ocean views

Hidden Treasures – Home-cooked Bahamian comfort food

Fernandez Bay Village Restaurant – Upscale beachfront dining with sunset views

🏡 Where to Stay on Cat Island

Cat Island doesn’t have major resorts, which is part of its charm. Accommodations range from eco-lodges to beach cottages and family-run guesthouses.

Top Options:

Fernandez Bay Village – Classic beachfront villas with a private cove

Greenwood Beach Resort – Intimate and remote, popular with divers

Shannas Cove Resort – Excellent for couples and beach lovers

Orange Creek Inn – Affordable and close to the airport

Most places include local meals, kayaks, and a friendly atmosphere.

📸 Best Photo Spots

The Hermitage at sunset – A view like no other in The Bahamas

Pink sand at Greenwood Beach – Especially during sunrise

Colorful boats at Bennett’s Harbour

Natural caves and limestone cliffs

Local life in Arthur’s Town market

🕒 Best Time to Visit

🌞 Dry Season (November to April):

Best weather

Calm seas and comfortable temperatures

Great for hiking, diving, and beach days

☀️ Shoulder Season (May and June):

Fewer tourists

Occasional short showers

Great deals on lodging

🌧️ Hurricane Season (July to October):

Hot and humid

Quietest time of year

Watch weather forecasts before booking

🌿 Eco-Tips and Travel Etiquette

Respect nature: Don’t collect shells with live creatures

Avoid single-use plastics – bring a reusable bottle

Support local artisans and fishermen

Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints

Learn a few phrases of Bahamian English—locals appreciate it!

📚 Fun Facts About Cat Island

Despite the name, Cat Island was not named for cats. Some say it was named after pirate Arthur Catt, others say it refers to wild cats once common here.

Sidney Poitier, the Oscar-winning actor, was born here.

The island is part of the Out Islands, known for sustainability and community-based tourism.

Local residents still fish using traditional Bahamian sloops.

🧭 Sample 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1:

Arrival + Check-in at beachfront lodge

Visit Mount Alvernia & Hermitage

Dinner at Fernandez Bay Village

Day 2:

Morning beach walk at Greenwood Beach

Afternoon snorkeling at Columbus Point

Sunset fishing trip or kayaking

Try guava duff for dessert

Day 3:

Visit Loyalist ruins near Port Howe

Swim and sunbathe at Old Bight Beach

Buy crafts at a local village market

Depart with a full heart and sun-kissed skin

✨ Final Thoughts from Your Guide

Cat Island is more than a destination—it’s a state of mind. Here, you trade crowded beach bars for quiet walks in the surf, and tourist traps for real island culture. Whether you’re a solo traveler seeking serenity or a couple looking for that perfect sunset, Cat Island delivers peace, authenticity, and unforgettable moments.

🧭 Summary (TL;DR)

Where: Eastern Bahamas, off-the-beaten-path

What to Do: Hike Mount Alvernia, relax on pink beaches, explore history

Perfect For: Nature lovers, couples, cultural travelers, slow travelers

Why Go: Undeveloped, uncrowded, and deeply authentic