Bahamas · The out islands
Dean’s Blue Hole and eighty miles of coast: the far end of the Bahamas
Long Island is eighty miles of cliffs, caves and beaches south of the Exumas with the deepest blue hole in the Atlantic, Cape Santa Maria’s white sand, and a few hundred yachts a year. For the second visit, as the far end of a ten-day trip from Nassau.
Where
Out islands, south-east of Great Exuma
Fly to
Nassau, then the yacht; Stella Maris (SML) and Deadman’s Cay (LGI) have strips
Best months
December to April
Give it
A night or two at the end of ten days
Known for
Dean’s Blue Hole, Cape Santa Maria, Columbus’s third landfall
Water
Calm on the west, cliffs and surf on the east
Why go
Long Island, honestly
Long Island is where the Bahamas run out of people. Eighty miles long and in places a mile wide, with Atlantic cliffs on one side and the pale bank on the other, Columbus’s third landfall at the north end and a monument to him on the headland above Cape Santa Maria, one of the best beaches in the country.
The reason divers know it is Dean’s Blue Hole, a sinkhole in a bay on the east coast that drops six hundred and sixty feet straight down from the beach, the deepest in the Atlantic and the venue for the world freediving championships. You can swim out over it from the sand.
We send people here as the far end of a ten-day trip: down the Exumas to George Town, across to Long Island for two nights, and fly out of Stella Maris or back up the chain. Never on a first week.
Where we anchor
The anchorages, in the order we use them
- Cape Santa MariaAnchorageThe northern tip, a long white beach with the Columbus monument above it.
- Stella MarisMarinaThe resort and airstrip at the north end, for joining or leaving.
- Thompson Bay, Salt PondAnchorageThe yachting anchorage mid-island, and the regatta harbour.
- Clarence TownHarbourThe south-east harbour with Father Jerome’s two churches on the hill, and Dean’s Blue Hole by road.
Ashore
Long Island off the boat
Not a directory. If it is here, we have sat at the table or stood at the bar.
Eat
Resort dining and the yacht.
Stella Maris Resort ClubClassic Bahamian dinners at the north-end resort.
- Max’s Conch Bar, Deadman’s CayConch salad at the roadside gazebo, famous across the Bahamas.
Drink and dance
A bonfire and the stars.
Beachfront bonfiresThe crew build one on Cape Santa Maria. Nobody else will.
- The Long Island RegattaSalt Pond, late May or early June, if the dates fall.
Do
The blue hole and the beach.
Dean’s Blue HoleSwim out from the beach over six hundred and sixty feet of water.
Cape Santa Maria beachPowder sand and the Columbus monument on the headland.
- Father Jerome’s churchesSt Paul’s and St Peter’s on the hill in Clarence Town, by the monk who built the Hermitage on Cat Island.
Where it sits
Long Island on the chart
Long Island sits south-east of Great Exuma at the far end of the chain, a day from George Town. The end of a ten-day trip, with an airstrip to fly out from.
Drag to move. Double-click or ctrl-scroll to zoom.Zoom with the buttons, then drag to move.
When
When to be in Long Island
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- December to April: the season, with the west coast calm.
- Late May or early June: the Long Island Regatta at Salt Pond, the out islands’ big weekend.
- The east coast is exposed year-round; Dean’s Blue Hole is reached by road from Clarence Town.
- June to November: hurricane season.
Itineraries
Itineraries that call at Long Island
Full plans, day by day, with the boat each one runs on. Send one to the people coming with you; we reshape it around your yacht and dates.
Yachts
Yachts in the Bahamas now
Few of them come this far. The ones that do have the place to themselves.
CORAL OCEAN
Lürssen · 73m · 1994, refit 2026
12 guests | 6 cabins | 28 crew
€650k – 790k
ESCAPE
Hatteras · 35m · 1995, refit 2023
9 guests | 4 cabins | 5 crew
US$55k – 65k
HANNAH
Westport · 34m · 2003, refit 2020
9 guests | 4 cabins | 5 crew
US$65k – 75k
Princess Mila
Fountaine Pajot · 20m · 2022
6 guests | 4 cabins | 3 crew
US$45k – 49k
INDIGO
Viking Yachts · 28m · 2019, refit 2024
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
US$58k – 75k
RELENTLESS
Trinity Yachts · 44m · 2001, refit 2019
10 guests | 5 cabins | 9 crew
US$150k – 173k
SEA AXIS
Heesen · 38m · 1988, refit 2026
12 guests | 5 cabins | 7 crew
US$105k – 135k
Lady Joy
Christensen · 48m · 2007, refit 2025
12 guests | 6 cabins | 11 crew
US$199k – 225k
MEMENTO VIVERE
Westport · 40m · 2005, refit 2021
10 guests | 5 cabins | 7 crew
US$120k – 150k
MIDORI
Sunreef Yachts · 21m · 2016, refit 2026
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
US$45k – 48k
CROSSED SABRE
Burger · 44m · 2006, refit 2021
12 guests | 7 cabins | 11 crew
US$175k – 195k
LADY ELAINE
Christensen · 50m · 2008, refit 2024
12 guests | 6 cabins | 9 crew
US$200k – 225k
NORMAN'S T4
Sirena Yachts · 21m · 2022
6 guests | 3 cabins | 2 crew
US$35k – 40k
NAMASTE
Benetti · 37m · 2013, refit 2023
10 guests | 5 cabins | 7 crew
US$105k – 135k
TCB
Trinity Yachts · 50m · 2008, refit 2022
11 guests | 5 cabins | 9 crew
US$175k – 200k
MARY KATHLENE
Westport · 42m · 1989, refit 2023
8 guests | 4 cabins | 7 crew
US$85k – 95k
LADY GRACE
Westport · 28m · 1996, refit 2025
6 guests | 3 cabins | 4 crew
US$35k – 40k
NO SHORTCUTS
Westport · 34m · 2006, refit 2022
8 guests | 4 cabins | 6 crew
US$65k – 75k
EMINA
Benetti · 42m · 2014, refit 2021
12 guests | 6 cabins | 9 crew
US$165k – 195k
NEW LIFE
Lazzara · 28m · 2009, refit 2025
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
US$57k
SeaQuest
Christensen · 38m · 1999, refit 2025
10 guests | 5 cabins | 6 crew
US$85k – 98k
EROS
Custom Line · 37m · 2019, refit 2026
10 guests | 5 cabins | 7 crew
US$140k – 160k
LADY J
Palmer Johnson · 43m · 1997, refit 2021
12 guests | 5 cabins | 9 crew
€109k – 119k
MISS STEPHANIE
Richmond Yachts · 42m · 2004, refit 2023
12 guests | 6 cabins | 8 crew
US$135k – 165k
SEASCAPE V
Benetti · 44m · 2005, refit 2024
10 guests | 5 cabins | 9 crew
US$153k – 180k
PIER PRESSURE
Azimut · 27m · 2020, refit 2024
10 guests | 5 cabins | 4 crew
US$70k – 80k
NEVER ENOUGH
Feadship · 43m · 1992, refit 2019
10 guests | 5 cabins | 7 crew
US$110k – 127k
LIMITLESS
Hargrave · 31m · 2010, refit 2025
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
US$55k – 62k
KEFI
Christensen · 46m · 2005, refit 2026
12 guests | 6 cabins | 9 crew
US$175k – 195k
CHANSON
Christensen · 37m · 1995, refit 2020
9 guests | 4 cabins | 6 crew
US$75k – 85k
NO BAD IDEAS
Trinity Yachts · 49m · 2000, refit 2024
12 guests | 6 cabins | 9 crew
US$225k – 250k
TOTAL
Mangusta (Overmarine) · 33m · 2006, refit 2020
9 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
US$60k – 65k
KING OF FUN
Northern Marine · 40m · 2005, refit 2022
10 guests | 5 cabins | 8 crew
US$120k – 138k
LEXINGTON
Horizon · 26m · 2006, refit 2024
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
US$45k – 55k
SOUTH
Heesen · 55m · 2012
12 guests | 6 cabins | 13 crew
US$320k – 350k
SWEET ESCAPE
Christensen · 40m · 1993, refit 2026
12 guests | 6 cabins | 8 crew
US$115k – 140k
BEACHFRONT II
Princess · 32m · 2012, refit 2023
10 guests | 5 cabins | 5 crew
US$80k – 95k
GAIL FORCE II
Hatteras · 24m · 2011, refit 2023
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
US$35k – 40k
KASHMIR
Splendor · 41m · 2008, refit 2021
12 guests | 6 cabins | 7 crew
US$110k – 130k
BEACHFRONT
Hargrave · 33m · 2006, refit 2022
10 guests | 5 cabins | 5 crew
US$65k – 90k
A SALT WEAPON
Ocean Alexander · 35m · 2024
10 guests | 5 cabins | 6 crew
US$120k – 130k
INSIEME
Azimut · 32m · 2012, refit 2023
8 guests | 5 cabins | 4 crew
US$63k – 69k
FAVOR
Crescent Yachts · 39m · 2000, refit 2024
10 guests | 5 cabins | 6 crew
US$95k – 110k
MARGATE
Broward Marine · 34m · 1997, refit 2022
10 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
US$55k – 60k
PLAYTIME
Lagoon · 20m · 2018, refit 2021
6 guests | 3 cabins | 3 crew
US$46k – 49k
STARSHIP 185'
Delta Marine · 56m · 2001, refit 2021
12 guests | 6 cabins | 11 crew
US$275k – 315k
BG
Feadship · 47m · 1990, refit 2022
12 guests | 6 cabins | 10 crew
US$149k – 170k
NOMADA
Mochi Craft · 24m · 2010, refit 2025
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
US$50k – 55k
48 yachts in rotation. The order changes with every visit so no boat is always last.
Questions we get asked
Long Island, answered
Common questions
What is Dean’s Blue Hole?
A marine sinkhole in a bay on Long Island’s east coast that drops six hundred and sixty feet from a beach you can walk onto, the deepest in the Atlantic and the venue for freediving world championships. You swim out over it from the sand.
How do we get to Long Island?
By yacht from George Town on Great Exuma, a day south-east, at the end of a ten-day trip down the Exumas. Stella Maris and Deadman’s Cay have airstrips for flying out.
Is Long Island worth it?
For the second Bahamas trip, on ten days or more, yes: the blue hole, Cape Santa Maria and the emptiest water in the country. Not for a first week.
Where did Columbus land?
His third landfall in the New World was at the north end of Long Island, which he called Fernandina. The monument stands on the headland above Cape Santa Maria.
Want Long Island in your week?
Tell us the dates and who is coming. We will say which nights to give it, which berth to hold, and whether the week you want is still open.