Cat Island Travel Guide — Bahamas

Pace: For five to seven nights, use one base, usually Old Bight/Fernandez Bay or New Bight, and make one long day trip north. With eight to 10 nights, split between the north and either Old Bight or Port Howe/Greenwood; two weeks justifies three stops. Cat Island is only about 50 miles long, but Arthur’s Town Airport to New Bight is roughly 28 road miles and takes around an hour or more on narrow, potholed roads, so do not move every two nights—each transfer burns a meaningful half-day.
When to go: December–February is the safest first-visit window: drier, less humid and easier for beach time, driving and Mount Alvernia, though the small stock of good rooms fills early. March–June is the best compromise for warmer water, lighter crowds and oceanic-whitetip diving; early June brings the island’s Rake ’n’ Scrape Festival and a sharp spike in demand around Arthur’s Town. July–November is quieter and sometimes cheaper, but heat, rain, reduced services and hurricane-season disruption make it a poor choice for tightly scheduled trips.
Daily budget: US$290–460 per day

Cat Island is a long, thin, lightly populated Bahamian Out Island for travelers who are happy with empty beaches, slow drives, local food, small family-run inns, caves and blue holes, fishing, and a real local music culture. It is not Nassau in miniature: nightlife is scant, late dining is unreliable, and a car is close to essential. Come for the unpolished, self-directed rhythm—then give yourself enough time for it to work.

Known for

Rake ’n’ Scrape music, built around saw, goatskin drum and accordion
Mount Alvernia and the Hermitage, the highest point in The Bahamas
Long, mostly undeveloped pink- and white-sand beaches
Oceanic whitetip shark diving in spring
Blue holes, caves and rough inland limestone country
Quiet beach stays, fishing and small independent inns

Where to go

Old Bight, Columbus Town & Fernandez Bay

Base · 4–5 nights

Old Bight, Columbus Town & Fernandez Bay

The best all-round first-visit base: long empty sand, swimmable water and the island’s strongest mix of beach houses, small inns and useful access to the centre. Stay here if you want Cat Island to feel restful rather than logistically demanding.

first-timerscouplesbeach loversself-caterers

Explore Old Bight, Columbus Town & Fernandez Bay

Mount Alvernia & the Hermitage

Short stop · 1 day

Cat Island’s essential short hike: a steep walk to Father Jerome’s tiny stone Hermitage and the broadest view of the island. It is a worthwhile stop, not a full-day outing—pair it with New Bight or a beach afternoon.

first-timerswalkersphotographers

The Bight & New Bight

This is the practical middle of the island, with the more useful airport, fuel and groceries, local food around the fish fry, and the road to Mount Alvernia. Choose it for convenience rather than for a polished beach-town atmosphere.

short-stay visitorsself-driversfirst-timers

Port Howe & Greenwood Beach

Base · 3–6 nights

The southeast is for committing to the beach: Greenwood’s huge pink-sand shoreline, dive operations and kite-friendly conditions can easily occupy several days. It is remote enough that staying put is the smart move.

diverskiteboardersbeach lovers

Arthur’s Town

Base · 3–4 nights

The cultural anchor of north Cat Island, Arthur’s Town feels lived-in rather than visitor-built and is the place to connect with Rake ’n’ Scrape and Sidney Poitier associations. It makes more sense as a north-island base than as a quick stop from the south.

culture seekersfestival-goersreturn visitors

Orange Creek & Port Royal

Short stop · 1 day

The island gets rougher and more interesting here: inland tracks, caves, blue-hole country and a landscape that rewards local advice over Google Maps. Come for an exploratory day, not a tightly scheduled attraction circuit.

independent driverscave explorersgeology enthusiasts

Smith’s Bay, Tea Bay & Man O’ War Bluff

Short stop · 1 day

A raw central-east coast for side-road wandering, unplanned beach stops and near-total solitude. This is Cat Island at its least structured, best approached from an Old Bight or New Bight base.

road trippersrepeat visitorsfamilies renting houses

French Bay & Hawk’s Nest

Short stop · 1 day

The southern resort-and-marina option, with more organized diving, fishing and watersports than most of the island. It suits travelers who want activity support without giving up Cat Island’s quiet.

anglersdiversmultigenerational groups

Dumfries, Bennett’s Harbour & Hallover

Short stop · 1 day

This central-northern belt is for the slow-drive crowd: farms, small settlements, inland roads and food traditions rather than marquee sights. It works best as part of a north-to-centre transfer or a guided rural day out.

food-curious travelersslow travelersindependent drivers

Bain Town & Mermaid Hole

A worthwhile inland detour for Great Lake, better known as Mermaid Hole, and the folklore around Cat Island’s blue-hole landscape. Treat it as a locally checked natural feature, not a managed swimming attraction.

geology enthusiastscurious first-timersindependent drivers

Don't miss

Cat Island

The island itself is the draw: a quiet, sparsely developed Out Island built around long empty beaches, local settlements, and unhurried road trips rather than a checklist of monuments. Use it as the framework for several beach-and-village days, ideally with a rental car or arranged driver.

Mount Alvernia (The Hermitage)

The stone Hermitage atop Mount Alvernia, built by Father Jerome, is Cat Island's essential historic sight and its highest viewpoint. Go for the short but steep climb, the handmade architecture, and a wide read of the island; dress modestly and treat it as an active sacred place.

Fernandez Bay Beach

This protected, calm bay is one of the island's best all-around swimming beaches, with pale sand and an easy, low-key setting. Make it a relaxed half-day rather than a brief photo stop, bringing water and shade if you are not using a nearby hotel or restaurant.

Greenwood Beach

Greenwood is the long, wild Atlantic-facing beach that makes Cat Island feel genuinely remote: good for walking, beachcombing, and solitude rather than organized watersports. Conditions can be rougher than on sheltered bays, so assess the sea before swimming.

Getting your bearings

Numbers match the places above; small dots are the headline sights.

The mental map

Think in three bands. The north—Arthur’s Town, Orange Creek and Port Royal—is the cultural, historical and blue-hole end, best reached via Arthur’s Town Airport (ATC). The centre and southwest—New Bight, Mount Alvernia, Old Bight and Fernandez Bay—is the most practical first-timer zone, with New Bight Airport (TBI), services and the strongest all-round beach bases. The south and southeast—Port Howe, Greenwood Beach and French Bay/Hawk’s Nest—is remote, beach-first territory for divers, kiters and travelers content to stay put.

When to go

December–February is the safest first-visit window: drier, less humid and easier for beach time, driving and Mount Alvernia, though the small stock of good rooms fills early. March–June is the best compromise for warmer water, lighter crowds and oceanic-whitetip diving; early June brings the island’s Rake ’n’ Scrape Festival and a sharp spike in demand around Arthur’s Town. July–November is quieter and sometimes cheaper, but heat, rain, reduced services and hurricane-season disruption make it a poor choice for tightly scheduled trips.

Pacing a visit

For five to seven nights, use one base, usually Old Bight/Fernandez Bay or New Bight, and make one long day trip north. With eight to 10 nights, split between the north and either Old Bight or Port Howe/Greenwood; two weeks justifies three stops. Cat Island is only about 50 miles long, but Arthur’s Town Airport to New Bight is roughly 28 road miles and takes around an hour or more on narrow, potholed roads, so do not move every two nights—each transfer burns a meaningful half-day.

Book before you land

Oceanic whitetip shark-diving expeditions around Greenwood/Port Howe (roughly late March through June); reserve before booking flights and build in weather-contingency days.

Getting in

NASNassau, New Providence
The essential international gateway. Most visitors fly into Nassau, then connect on a domestic flight to one of Cat Island’s two airports; leave generous connection time because small-island schedules and weather can disrupt same-day plans.
Flights and transfers into Nassau
ATCArthur’s Town Airport, northern Cat Island
Use ATC for Arthur’s Town, Orange Creek and the north. It is the right arrival point for the Rake ’n’ Scrape Festival or a north-island base; it is not convenient for Greenwood or the southern resorts.
Flights and transfers into Arthur’s Town
TBINew Bight Airport, central Cat Island
Use TBI for New Bight, Mount Alvernia, Old Bight/Fernandez Bay, Port Howe and Greenwood. It is the more useful airport for a first visit, but the south still requires a prearranged car or transfer.

Before you go

Questions worth settling

How many days should I spend on Cat Island?

Plan five to seven nights for a first visit, using one base—usually Old Bight/Fernandez Bay or New Bight—and taking one long day trip north. With eight to 10 nights, split between Arthur’s Town/Orange Creek and either Old Bight or Port Howe/Greenwood Beach; avoid changing accommodation every two nights.

Where should a first-time visitor base themselves?

Old Bight, Columbus Town and Fernandez Bay are the best all-round choice for long beaches, small inns and practical access to the centre. New Bight is better if you prioritize proximity to the airport, groceries, fuel, local food and Mount Alvernia over a polished beach-base feel.

Which parts of Cat Island are worth combining on one trip?

Combine Old Bight/Fernandez Bay, New Bight and Mount Alvernia easily from a central base, with side trips to Smith’s Bay, Tea Bay and Man O’ War Bluff. Treat Arthur’s Town, Orange Creek and Port Royal as a long north-island day or a separate stay; Port Howe, Greenwood Beach and French Bay/Hawk’s Nest work best as a stay-put southern extension.

Do I need a car on Cat Island?

Yes—rent a car unless you are staying at a resort and deliberately not exploring. Prebook it with your accommodation or a local operator, match the handover to your airport, and avoid driving after dark on narrow, potholed roads with limited signage.

Which airport should I fly into: Arthur’s Town or New Bight?

Fly into Arthur’s Town Airport (ATC) for Arthur’s Town, Orange Creek and the north, especially for the Rake ’n’ Scrape Festival. Use New Bight Airport (TBI) for New Bight, Mount Alvernia, Old Bight/Fernandez Bay, Port Howe and Greenwood; the roughly 28-mile ATC–TBI drive can take an hour or more.

Do I need a visa to visit The Bahamas?

Entry requirements depend on your passport: U.S., Canadian, UK and many European visitors are generally visa-exempt for short tourist stays. Check passport validity, return/onward-travel requirements and any visa need directly with Bahamian Immigration before booking; a U.S. visa or residence permit does not automatically replace a Bahamian visa.

When is the best time to visit Cat Island, and what should I book ahead?

December through February is the safest first-visit season for drier weather and easier beach, driving and Mount Alvernia plans; March through June is warmer and best for oceanic-whitetip shark diving around Greenwood and Port Howe. Book accommodation, a rental car and airport transfers early; reserve shark-diving expeditions before flights, and book as soon as festival dates are announced if visiting Arthur’s Town around early June.

Known for

Rake ’n’ Scrape music, built around saw, goatskin drum and accordion
Mount Alvernia and the Hermitage, the highest point in The Bahamas
Long, mostly undeveloped pink- and white-sand beaches
Oceanic whitetip shark diving in spring
Blue holes, caves and rough inland limestone country
Quiet beach stays, fishing and small independent inns