Cat Island
The soul of the Bahamas
Cat Island is where Bahamian culture runs deepest. This 48-mile ribbon of land claims the country's highest peak, its most traditional communities, and beaches that seem to exist outside of time.
Many believe Cat Island was Columbus's actual first landfall in the New World, not San Salvador as commonly taught. Whatever the historical truth, the island has an undeniable spiritual quality. Sidney Poitier grew up here. Father Jerome built his remarkable stone hermitage atop Mt. Alvernia. The practice of Obeah, a form of folk magic, still lives in the remote settlements.
For yacht charterers seeking something beyond the typical Bahamas experience, Cat Island offers profound rewards. The anchorages are uncrowded, the beaches pristine, and the pace of life reminds you why you went to sea in the first place. Come here to disconnect, to explore, and to experience the Bahamas as it once was everywhere.
Must-See Highlights
The Hermitage
At 206 feet, Mt. Alvernia is the Bahamas' highest point, topped by a medieval-style monastery built single-handedly by Father Jerome. The views and the journey are equally rewarding.
Greenwood Beach
Eight miles of pristine pink-tinged sand often completely empty. The beach resort here offers the island's best facilities while maintaining a delightfully low-key atmosphere.
Armbrister Creek
Wade through the shallows at low tide to reach stunning sandbars. The creek system offers excellent bonefishing and a unique ecosystem to explore by kayak or paddleboard.
Deveaux Plantation Ruins
Explore the atmospheric ruins of a Loyalist-era cotton plantation. The crumbling stone walls and overgrown paths tell the story of Cat Island's colonial past.
Planning Your Charter
Navigation Notes
Cat Island's western shore offers better protection and easier anchorages. The eastern Atlantic coast is dramatic but exposed. Hawk's Nest Marina in the south provides the best facilities, with fuel and basic provisions. New Bight has a small marina and is the closest anchorage to Mt. Alvernia. Plan your climb for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat.
What Makes Cat Island Special
Cat Island rewards the curious. Take time to explore the small settlements, where you'll find genuine Bahamian hospitality untainted by tourism. Climb to the Hermitage at sunset. Swim in waters so clear they seem to disappear. This is not the Bahamas of resort brochures—it's something far more valuable: the real thing, still intact, waiting to be discovered.
Ready to Explore Cat Island?
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