Things to see on the island
Beaches
There are plenty of beaches to visit on Long Island. One is right outside the villa door. This is known as Thompson Bay. Our beach seems to go on forever. The beach tends to change according to season, weather, and gravitational pull by the moon. So the scenery is constantly changing like artwork on canvas. One week you will have nothing but sand and the next week you could have harder sand with thousands of seashells. Natural sponges and huge conch shells are other natural things you will probably see on our beach. To the right of the villa (if you are facing the beach), there is a turtle preserve. These Endangered Turtles migrate back to their native beach to reproduce. For the most part, in the winter months the sand is soft and the tide seems higher. In January, you may start seeing the turtles laying their eggs on the beach. During the spring, you will see harder sand on the beach and turtle eggs start hatching in April and May. FOR OTHER NOTEWORTHY BEACHES
Biking
Depending on how in shape you are, there are numerous places to bike to.
Birding
If you are a bird lover, bring your binoculars. Some of the most exotic and interesting birds you may find are located right outside our villa. Watch for the Bahamas Parrot, Indian Flamingos, Green Heron, Bahamas Yellowthroat, Striped-headed Tanager, and many more. During the fall and winter months, migrating birds will fly through such as the Ruddy Turnstone, Black-whiskered Vireo and the Eastern Kingbird.
Boating and Sailing
Long Island is the home of the best boat builders and sailors in the country. We have a list of people willing to take you around the island on a boating tour. After you place your deposit with us, make sure to ask us for our boat tour guide list. If you have your own boat, check out the marina's in Long Island. For more info
Calendar of Events
January: Third- Home Owners Reception. Sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism. End of February: Basketball Expo in Thompson Bay. High school students from all over the Bahamas come to Long Island for this tournament. February: Mutton Fest in Salt Pond. Enjoy local crafts in booths, watch them make fresh Conch salad starting with the shell. Learn how to filet a Lion Fish. Watch the judging of the sheep and roosters.
February: Winter Residents Celebration in Salt Pond. Enjoy local flavors from all over the island, performances, food and fun.
March or April: Cornfest Festival, Salt Pond. Sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, this festival starts with an opening church Service, family fun & Game-Night, Culture and talent Night, Farmers Honorary Banquet, Fun Run/Walk from the Life Center oasis to McKann's. An Agriculture Seminar, Corn Festival at Regatta park and a Gospel Concert at Beulah Baptist Church. Corn competitions, Kid's Corner, a Livestock display, Miss and Little Miss Corn and Miss Cornfest Beauty pageant, with lots of corn dishes, food and drinks on sale.
April: Free Diving Competition at Deans Blue Hole by Clarence Town.
Early Knowles Memorial cup races at the Regatta Site in Clarence Town. May: 6th Annual All Tackle Fishing Tournament, Flying Fish marina Clarence Town. Sign up at Cartie Co. 337-6066 or Chamcem Boats 337-0199. June: Long Island Regatta and North Long Island Long Island regatta Site Salt Pond July: Annual Long Island Homecoming Glintons Park, North Long Island September: Bird Hunting Season Opens
Cave Exploring - Spelunking
There are many caves on Long Island. Make sure to wear your hiking shoes and bring along plenty of flashlights (one for backup). Bats do hang out in the caves. In the olden days, Long Islanders would use the back feces as fertilizer. They would go to the caves and scoop out the feaces in buckloads. Here are a few of the Long Island Caves: Offering Tours is Hamilton' Cave. One of the Bahamas largest cave systems is located in Hamilton's. This cave has many passages which are a least 50 feet wide with a ceiling of 10 feet wide. It is one of the largest in the Bahamas. Look for a sign for tours of the cave as you make your way along Queens Hwy in Hamiltons. This is where many Lucayan artifact were discovered in 1935. For Cave Tours call (242) 337-0235 Salt Pond has two caves. One is near Hillside Groceries. Park in this parking lot and walk to the path down the street on the right. The other is in Grotto Bay, it is a beautiful cave but hard to reach without trespassing on private property. The only way to get there is by boat. If you can get to the beach, follow the sign marked cave. Stella Marais: Take the Stella Marais Inn exit off of Queens' highway and turn right at the sign marked, "the cave". Mortimers: This is the site of the Cartwright Duho Cave where 3 Lucayan duhos (ceremonial Stools) were found by Carlton Cartwright in 1988. Call Leonard Cartwright for a guided tour 242-337-0235 Dunmore's Caves: has 2 tunnels. One tunnel leads to the ocean and had never been fully explored. You can view 2 old Indian drawings on the wall. Cartwright's Caves: Now on private property these caves were once used by the Lucayan Indians. Call Leonard Cartwright for a guided tour 242-337-0235 Indian Hole Point: There is a cave on Indian Hole Point. Walk down the beach until you see a hill. Walk into the bush and the cave is into the side of the hill.
Churches
Get married on the most beautiful island in the world! St. Paul's Anglican Church Clarence Town, Long Island Father Jerome, the former John Hawes, built St. Paul's when he followed the Anglican faith. See photo below.. Holy Cross Anglican Church Hamiltons, Long Island Tel (242) 337 6767 St. John's Anglican Church Buckleys, Long Island Tel (242) 337 1566 See photo below... Beaulah Baptist Church Simms, Long Island Tel (242) 338 8766 Macedonia Baptist Church Deadman's Cay, Long Island Tel (242) 337 0112 Palestine Baptist Church Deadman's Cay, Long Island Tel (242) 337 1092 Church of God The Bight, long Island Tel (242) 338 8923 Church of God Morrisville, Long Island Tel (242) 338 8881 Dunmore Assumption catholic Church Dunmore, Long Island St Mary's Church in the Bight is said to have been built in the early 1700's. It is the oldest known church on the island.
Regatta
Long Island Regatta (held in mid- May or beginning of June). Our villa is the place to stay during the Regatta. If you have an interest in sailboats the Regatta is for you. Sailboats participating in the Regatta will pass right by our villa to get to Salt Pond (which is on the other side of the peninsula our villa is located on). You can enjoy the view from our Lanai. The Regatta is a big four day festival event held in Salt Pond where Bahamians build their own sail boats by hand and compete in the event. Bands play during the event and rum is served. Salt Pond is the main commercial node of Long Island. Another viewing option to is to walk down the driveway and straight across the road to the Bahamian Village (as of today Bahamian Village is not open but they hope to have a hot dog stand open during the Regatta where you can sit down under a hut to watch the Regatta). You can also walk to Salt Pond and board a spectator boat in for a close -up view of the action. The Regatta was started in 1967 by a boat lover named Rupert Knowles. Rupert has long since passed away however, his relatives are still found on the island. He is the grandfather of Judy Knowles (Judy owns a furniture store in Deadman's Cay). Judy Knowles also opens up bar area in the back of her furniture store during the Regatta.
Fishing - Bone-fishing
Bone fishing is the best you will ever have it in Long Island. In other words, it does not get any better than this. Walk out about 20 feet on the beach in front of our villa and cast our your fishing line for bonefish. Our bay is one of the best places to catch bonefish in the entire Bahamas. Bonefish feed in shallow water. So you can see their tails splash in the waters by our villa. Problem is as soon as you see them, they seem to disappear as fast as they came. So there is skill involved in catching these fish who live in the most beautiful waters in the world. Even though they weigh in at more than 12 pounds they are one of the strongest fighting fish in the ocean. If you are interested in Bone-fishing, we offer the best bonefishing guild on the island simply request the name of the best bonefisherman on the island after you have placed your deposit with us.
Fishing - Deep Sea
Long Island is the ultimate destination for sport fishing. The North Equatorial Current stream washes the shores of Long Island bringing with it schools of blue and white marlin, sailfish, rainbow runners, Yellowfin and blackfin (July - Dec.) tuna, wahoo (Sept. - Nov.), dolphinfish, snapper, grouper, jewfish, barracuda, horseye jacks, amberjack, and kin mackerel to name a few. If you are interested in having a deepsea fisherman take you out to the best fishing places in the Long Island area, ask us for the list after you have placed your deposit down with us. Please note: all of our recommendations have grew up and know the best places to fish in Long Island
Hiking
There are numerous places to hike in Long Island. Send us your adventures so that we can post them for other people. Columbus Monument is a great hike as well as a ship wreck in Loves Beach. If you love to nature hike, I suggest to take the walk to Adderleys Plantation. Plants are labeled on the way to the plantation and you can see birds and wildlife. Also hike around our house (see horticulture below)
Horticulture
Bush medicine has always been in the culture of Long Islanders. Flowering plants are everywhere on this island. Click below to learn about plants around our house.
Beachcombing
Long Island has miles of quiet beaches that are perfect for a walk and treasure hunting. After a big wind you never know what might wash up!
Library/ Museum
Long Island Museum in Deadman's Cay. Part of the National Museum of The Bahamas/Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation, this museum is committed to the preservation and interpretation of the history and culture of Long Island.
Produce Stands/ Farmers Market
Organically grown produce is sold at produce stands up and down the island as well as a Farmers Market held each Saturday market in Salt Pond (close to our villa). In addition to fresh produce, enjoy homemade jams, honey, Conch Salad, art, plants and pies at local stands.
Restaurants
There are many places along the entire island get delicious local table fare
Scuba Diving
Long Island has some of the best dive sites in the Bahamas. Best Dive Sites: Awawak 'Green' Hole: A bottomless blue hole.
Conception Island Wall: A 40 foot wall that extends into darkness. Not a dive for the beginner.
Dean's Blue Hole: Click here for details.
Grouper Valley: Here you can see schools of Grouper congregate together. Best time is November.
Grouper Village: Bring some food as these tame groupers like to eat out of your hand.
HMS Southampton: It is believed that Captain Sir James Yeo hit a reef to sink the Southhampton in 1812. This is a huge stretch of reef in shallow waters starting at 10 feet deep and reaching 90 feet deep.
Shark Reef: Want to swim with the sharks? This reef is for you.
Ship's Graveyard: If you like to explore sunken ships and an old 1975 Ford van. MV Comerback was a ship that sunk in 1986
Rum Cay Wall: a wall that plunges 40 feet deep. Closest dive shop is right down the road from our villa at the Marine store in Salt Pond.
Scenic Drives
The entire island is scenic. Just jump on Queens Highway and this runs the entire island from North to South. There are many hidden beaches just waiting to be explored
Shipwrecks
By Love's beach there is a newer shipwreck that you can reach by foot. There is another shipwreck in Guana Cay in just 15 feet of water. You will need to swim out to the Cay from Pinders.
Shopping
There are several small shops on the island: Art Galleries: Sandra Richie Pratt 242-374-2826 Automotive: Fox Auto Body (Salt Pond) 338-0041 Bait and Tackle Bonafide Fly Shop (Stella Marais) 338-2025 Fisherman's Marine (Hamiltons) 337-6226 Sea Fearer (Salt Pond) Bakery: Club Washington has bread in Thompson Bay Oasis Bakery (Cartwrights) 337-3003 Ritchies (Deadman's cay) 337-0004 Books and Magazines: The Readery (Cartwrights) 337-6210 Fox Gift & KC2 Tool Store: In Salt pond next to Hillside Grocery Straw works: Straw artisans are abundant in Long Island. Simm's Super Straw (next to the Methodist Church) in Simms. Richie Rich's Gift Shop purchase straw-work in Deadman's Cay. In Millerton's you'll find a roadside straw works buy handicraft by local artists. Stray artists in the North of the Island include: Cheryl Adderly Elsie Knowles 338-8881 Ester Minnis Idella Adderly Perline Cartwright Straw artists in the center of Long Island are: Julelah Knowles of Julelah's Straw Work in Simms. Jennifer Turnquest (Hamiltons) Dorothy E Miller Berts Dry Goods 338-7015 Cheryl's Creations 338-8322 Lorna's (Cartwrights) 337-0179 Straw artists in the South of the Island include: Keva Turnquest (Deadman's Cay) Julelah Knowles of Julelah's Straw Maria Cartwright of (Hard Bargain) HandiCraft a manufacturing outlet ( Millertons) Ena L Majors Creations: (Clarence Town) Natural Products Factory (south of Petty) man-made liquors of rum and lime. Wild Tamarind Pottery & Gallery. Pottery Studio with works from artist, Denis Knight. 242-337-0262 Wood carvings by Charles: Close to Grotto Bay in Salt Pond. Clothing: Island Styles 337-6213 D's Collection 337-2325 in Grays Le Rose 337-0259 A little big of everything stores: It's All Under The Sun 338-2025 in Mangrove Bush Hardings in Salt Pond Florist/Nursery Cassidy Plants 337-6455 Flowers and Things by Emcee in Pettys 337-0345 *M&R by Beverly in Millertons Furniture: Judy's Home Center (Petty's) Groceries: Hillside Supplies (Salt Pond) 338-0022
Snorkeling
Long Island has some of the best dive sites in the Bahamas. Right outside our villa is Sturrups Cay. Take a boat over to this Cay for some snorkeling in the Bahamas. Or keep going all the way to visit many cays all the way up to Millers. If you don't have a boat there is a couple of small cays at the end of the beach on Indian Hole Point that you can snorkel right off the beach and you don't need a boat to get to them. Snorkeling sites on Long Island, Bahamas. Columbus Harbour - This where Columbus landed. Coral Gardens - Great to view turtles, caves and corals. Eagle Ray Reef - Groupers and coral formations. Flamingo Tongue Reef - Moray eels, craps and tons of fish. Poseidon Point - Swim with the tarpon Rainbow Reef - Elkhorn corals and sponges. Rock Pools - smaller fish and crabs live in these shallow reefs. Stella Marais Shark Reef - You can see many different types of sharks here. Watermelon Beach - a nice easy site.
Tours
Island tours by Land or by sea boat = We can recommend Land and Sea Tours, once you have placed your down-payment, simply e-mail us for a Land and/or sea Tour operator.
Weddings
Our beach goes on for miles, the perfect site for a beautiful wedding. Expect the following fees: Marriage License fee: $100.00 Minister only: Weekdays from $150; Weekends from $175; Rehearsals from $50 per hour. Photographer only: From $350 per hour (color or black & white, 36 exposures, negatives & album). Additional time extra. Videographer only: From $450 per hour with editing.
Kitesurfing/Windsurfing
Take advantage of the Tradewinds for any wind sport! Our beach is perfect for windsurfing in calmer waters. Or take your board over to the other side of the island to surf on the Atlantic.