Crooked Island Travel Guide: History, Seclusion & Natural Wonders

Imagine a place where the turquoise sea whispers against empty white shores, flamingos glide across wetlands, and centuries-old ruins stand as silent witnesses to colonial times. Welcome to Crooked Island, one of the least visited and most pristine islands in The Bahamas.
 

Unlike the bustling hubs of Nassau or Grand Bahama, Crooked Island offers something rarer—authenticity, quietude, and nature in its rawest form.

As your local guide, I’ll take you on a virtual journey through this magical destination that remains untouched by mass tourism and rich in stories, wildlife, and seascapes.

📍 Where is Crooked Island?

Country: The Bahamas

Region: Southern Bahamas

Part of: The Crooked Island and Long Cay District

Main Settlement: Colonel Hill

Population: Fewer than 400 residents

Known For: Historic salt plantations, bird sanctuaries, pristine marine life

✈️ How to Get to Crooked Island

By Air: Regular flights from Nassau to Colonel Hill Airport (CRI) via Bahamasair or charter airlines.

By Boat: Accessible by private yacht or mailboat from Nassau.

The remoteness of Crooked Island is part of its charm—you don’t stumble upon it; you choose to find it.

🏝️ Why Visit Crooked Island?

1. Pristine, Uncrowded Beaches

Crooked Island has some of the most tranquil beaches in The Bahamas, and you’re likely to have them all to yourself. The sand is powdery white, the waters crystal clear, and the silence is golden.

Top beaches include:

Landrail Point Beach – Calm and peaceful with soft sand

Pittstown Landing – Ideal for boaters and picnics

French Wells Bay – Scenic and perfect for sunbathing

These beaches offer a true escape from the modern world.

2. Marine Adventure and Diving

Crooked Island is part of a marine-rich archipelago that includes Long Cay, Acklins, and the Bight of Acklins. The area is a paradise for divers and snorkelers:

The Crooked Island Passage – A famous dive site with dramatic drop-offs

Turtle Sound – A secluded inland lagoon rich in marine biodiversity

Snorkeling Reefs – Teeming with coral, tropical fish, and nurse sharks

Blue Holes – Hidden underwater sinkholes for advanced divers

Fishing here is world-class too—think bonefishing, reef fishing, and deep-sea angling.

3. Birdwatching and Nature

Nature lovers will find paradise here. The island is home to:

Flamingos, herons, ospreys, and spoonbills

Coastal mangroves and wetland ecosystems

Butterflies and Bahamian rock iguanas

Turtle nesting sites during the summer months

The island is part of The Bahamas National Trust conservation efforts, which protect its fragile ecosystems.

4. Rich History and Ruins

Step back in time as you explore the remnants of the island’s colonial past.

Highlights:

Loyalist Plantation Ruins – Settlers who fled the American Revolution built grand homes here.

French Wells – A historic watering hole and salt-raking site

Old Lighthouses – Such as Bird Rock Lighthouse, still standing tall against the sea

The Salt Works – Once the backbone of the local economy

You can still see the crumbling stone walls, chimneys, and hand-dug wells, all telling stories of resilience and survival.

5. True Island Culture

Crooked Island isn’t just remote—it’s deeply local. The islanders are warm, proud, and grounded in tradition.

Join in for a game of dominoes at the general store

Enjoy homemade conch salad and guava duff at a beachside shack

Learn about boatbuilding and salt harvesting techniques

Hear oral histories from locals whose ancestors built the island’s first settlements

There are no major resorts—just guesthouses and family-run cottages that give you a window into real Bahamian life.

🧳 Top Things to Do on Crooked Island

🍽️ What to Eat on Crooked Island

Dining here is casual, local, and delicious.

Local Dishes to Try:

Conch fritters and cracked conch

Grilled snapper or grouper

Coconut rice and pigeon peas

Guava duff with rum sauce

Freshly baked coconut bread

There are no fancy restaurants, but small eateries and home kitchens offer rich flavors and friendly service.

Recommended Spots:

Doris’s Kitchen in Colonel Hill

Landrail Point Lodge Dining Room

Home-cooked meals by locals (often arranged via guesthouses)

🏡 Where to Stay

Crooked Island is all about small-scale tourism. You'll find eco-lodges, guesthouses, and inns—many with ocean views and direct beach access.

Top Accommodations:

Crooked Island Lodge & Marina – Ideal for boaters, divers, and anglers

Casuarina Pine Villas – Cozy bungalows with modern amenities

Dunmore House Guest Rooms – Simple and welcoming stay in Colonel Hill

Most places are family-run, offering personalized hospitality and home-cooked meals.

📸 Best Photo Spots

Bird Rock Lighthouse – Especially at sunrise

Salt flats at French Wells – Stunning reflections

Long Cay from the boat – Aerial-style shots of untouched terrain

Abandoned plantation ruins – Eerie and beautiful

Flamingos in flight – Bring a telephoto lens for birding

🕒 Best Time to Visit

☀️ Dry Season (November to April)

Best weather for beach days and boat trips

Low humidity and calm seas

Peak birdwatching season

🌧️ Rainy Season (May to October)

Hotter temperatures

Afternoon showers and occasional storms

Fewer tourists and better deals

⚠️ Note: Hurricane season runs from June to November—monitor forecasts when planning.

🧭 3-Day Sample Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival & Exploration

Fly into Colonel Hill

Check into your guesthouse

Visit Landrail Point Beach

Sunset walk and local dinner

Day 2 – History & Nature

Morning trip to French Wells ruins

Lunch at a local eatery

Afternoon boat ride to Long Cay

Birdwatching and snorkeling

Day 3 – Adventure & Relaxation

Early morning dive/snorkel trip

Afternoon nap or nature walk

Evening beach picnic

Stargazing with no light pollution

🌍 Responsible Travel Tips

Respect wildlife, especially nesting areas and birds

Avoid plastic bottles—bring reusable containers

Support local businesses and guides

Don’t disturb historical sites—take photos, not souvenirs

Be patient with island pace—this is the charm of Crooked Island!

📚 Did You Know?

Crooked Island was once a hub for the Loyalists, who fled the American Revolution and brought enslaved Africans to work salt ponds and plantations.

It is believed Columbus sailed near Crooked Island during his voyage through the Caribbean in 1492.

The waters around the island are among the clearest and least polluted in the Caribbean.

Its remoteness makes it one of the best places in The Bahamas for stargazing.

✨ Final Thoughts from Your Tour Guide

Crooked Island is not for every traveler—it’s for those who seek authentic connection, natural beauty, and peaceful solitude. Whether you’re kayaking through Turtle Sound, walking through crumbling plantation ruins, or simply lying under a sky full of stars, this island will leave an imprint on your heart.

It’s a place to breathe. To reflect. To explore. And to appreciate the Caribbean the way it used to be.

🧭 TL;DR Summary

Where: Southern Bahamas, near Acklins and Long Cay

What to See: Pristine beaches, colonial ruins, mangroves, bird sanctuaries

Activities: Birdwatching, snorkeling, diving, fishing, history tours

Perfect For: Eco-travelers, history buffs, solitude seekers

Why Visit: Remote, untouched, deeply authentic