Recommended Weekend Excursions Around Bahamas

Inagua
The most southerly of the Bahamas Islands, Inagua is actually two separate Islands – Great and Little Inagua. Punctuated alternately with hills and limestone caves, Inagua has ideal conditions for salt productions that have paved the way for its prosperity. The climate is desert like with sparse vegetation especially on the South East side of Great Inagua that has a rocky terrain. Little Inagua is inhabited, and is largely overgrown with the only natural palms in the whole of the Bahamas. 

Perfect white, mostly deserted and relatively unspoilt beaches, dot the coastline. Cartwright’s Beach and Farquharson’s Beach are the locally popular beaches.

Inagua is a naturalist’s paradise home to rare birds and reptiles. The National Park on Lake Rosa, also called Lake Windsor, is a 12-mile stretch of marshland with restricted access covering almost half of Great Inagua. It is this protected sanctuary that is home to over 80,000 West Indian Flamingos – the National Bird of The Bahamas. Early spring, the breeding period of the flamingos is the best time to visit when the birds congregate in large numbers at the Lake. Interestingly enough, these birds only lay one egg each year. If the National Park does not satisfy the ornithologist in you, explore the mangrove swamps on the eastern side of the Island that are nesting grounds for many other birds including the cormorants, pelicans, the reddish egret, the white tailed tropic bird and the Bahamas parrot.

For those interested in the underwater wildlife, the North West side of the Island has a breeding and research centre called Turtle Sound that is an ideal place to observe Sea Turtles like Green and Hawksbill Turtles.    

Mathew Town is the lone town of Inagua. It is the site to an 1870 lighthouse, once an impressive structure, now in ruins. It is possible to find accommodation in Mathew Town as well as at the two camps – Union Creek in the North East and Flamingo camp that offer basic facilities. For reservation, contact the Bahamas National Trust, PO Box N4105, Nassau. 

Food wise, Inagua is relatively cheaper than Nassau and Grand Bahama. There are a number of places where you can sample a typical Bahamian meal. Don’t forget to taste the popular local drink – gin with coconut.  Nightlife is slow and restricted mainly to local bars with live music and plenty of foot stamping.

Long Island
Said to be one of the most beautiful Islands in the Bahamas, Long Island is practically unaffected by the tourist influx. A mixture of ethnic communities, European, African and North American, Long Island has a varied and rich culture. Just as diverse is the landscape of the area with tall cliffs, hills and dunes as well as caves. Dense bushes and cacti cover the Island.

Endless beaches with crystal clear blue water kissing its shores, Long Island has an inviting coastline. The colourful fish that inhabit the waters and the fragile but equally beautiful coral, make this area a favourite for those interested in snorkelling and diving. It is possible to hire equipment for snorkelling diving and deep-sea fishing on the Island. Trips on glass bottom boats can also be arranged.

The major settlements on the Islands are Deadman’s Cay and Clarence Town. Clarence town has two beautiful churches, both still in use, that are definitely worth a visit. Stella Maris is the popular spot among tourist as it is supposed to have one of the best yachting marinas in Southern Bahamas. In terms of accommodation, top class accommodations are available with every possible luxury. On the other hand it is also possible to find guesthouses that offer living quarters at reasonable prices. Taxis are generally available, though they might be on the expensive side.

There are a number of restaurants that serve excellent seafood. Some places may even require reservation. If you’re in a mood to try something different, order a wild hog with onions and spices or a grouper roe with liver- two specialities of the island.

San Salvador
Supposedly the first Island to have been discovered by Columbus in the Bahamas, San Salvador is steeped in history among plantations ruins and Indian relics. Jewellery and pottery associated with the Lucanyan Indians have been found on the beach here. Interestingly, the Island has four potential sites – Crab Cay and Long Bay being two that vie amongst themselves as the first landing site of Columbus. 
If you're interested in browsing through remains of Lucayan artefacts, visit the New World Museum in the Victoria Hill settlement. On the north east coast, on the Queen's highway is the Dixon Hill Lighthouse built in the 19th century. One of the few remaining hand operated lighthouses, an exploration of the structure would make an interesting excursion.

San Salvador is interlaced with a network of scenic inland lakes that were at one point of time the main method of transportation. A number of birds inhabit the Island. To view some visit Green Cay and White Cay. If you want to see sharks at close quarters, pay a visit to the Pigeon Creek in the South East, which is a nursery for sharks and other large fish. Iguanas inhabit the Manhead Cay off the North East. 

If snorkelling is your interest, this is the place for it. With attractive reefs submerged in shallow waters, this is an underwater paradise. Coupled with several wrecks’ and corals, the waters of San Salvador attract many scuba divers and snorkellers. Government Dock and Sandy Point are excellent spots to explore the underwater panorama.   San Salvador offers some of the finest beaches. East Beach is a lovely mile – long stretch of sparkling white sand.

Food is cheap and delicious. The local cuisine of crab and rice must be sampled. Besides the occasional disco nights, there’s not much to do at night.

The Exumas
Exuma is an archipelago of 365 cays and islands with most of the population being concentrated in Great Exuma and Little Exuma. The layer of soil on Great Exuma is very thin restricting the vegetation to scrubs, some aromatic, and dry woodland that are inhabited by songbirds, curly – tailed lizards and some wild peacocks. Interestingly enough, today, half the population bears the surname of Rolle a legacy of the Rolle family who owned cotton plantations during the 18th century. After the abolition of slavery, the Rolle family distributed the land among their slaves who were also called Rolle as was customary during those days. Two of the largest settlements are also named after the Rolle family – Rolleville and Rolletown.

The Exuma Cays are a delight for those interested in exploring the secrets of the blue waters of the Caribbean. The Exuma Cays land and Sea Park stretching over an area of 176 square miles, maintained by the Bahamas National Trust, are home to some of the most stunning coral and limestone formations and of course, a number of exciting ship wrecks.  The underwater valley at Ocean Rock should not be missed. Thunder Grotto Caves, Staniel Cay, made famous in a James Bond film are filled with black coral and make for a fascinating jaunt. While visiting, be wary of the currents. 

Stocking Island and Staniel Cay have some good beaches, worth visiting. Jimmy Hill, good for swimming and the Bay of Ocean Bight are other good beaches. 

George Town is full of upmarket restaurants as well as places where you can order without worrying about the right side of the menu. Plenty of places where you can sample typical Bahamian cuisine and seafood. Many of the hotels have discotheques. The waterfront nightclub just outside George Town is the largest on Exuma and witnesses plenty of activity.