Perched on a hill above Clarence Town’s pale-blue harbour, two nearly identical churches—one Anglican, one Catholic—rise roughly 40 feet above the pastel rooftops, creating a skyline that’s become one of the most photographed scenes in the Out Islands. The twin spires belong to St. Paul’s Anglican Church and St. Peter and St. Paul Catholic Church, both designed by the same man: Father Jerome Hawes, an English architect who traded drafting tables for missionary work in the Bahamas.
Twin spired churches rising above pastel buildings create one of the most photographed scenes in the Out Islands.
Clarence Town, the administrative capital of Long Island, wraps around a calm harbour where fishing boats unload daily catch and mailboats from Nassau arrive weekly. With fewer than one hundred year-round residents, this isn’t a place you pass through by accident—you come here specifically for the quiet, the architecture, and the easy access to one of the world’s deepest blue holes.
Clarence Town rewards travelers who want a genuine Out Islands experience without the polish of resort-heavy destinations. The twin churches are the headline, but the working harbour, local conch stands, and proximity to Dean’s Blue Hole make it a worthwhile base for a few days—just know that dining and accommodation are modest, and you’ll need a rental car to get around.
Architecture lovers
Slow travelers
Families wanting a quiet base
This guide covers the two churches at the heart of Clarence Town’s identity, the harbour life that sustains the settlement, and the nearby natural wonders that make the trip worthwhile. Whether you’re planning a stop on a longer island loop or basing yourself here for a few days, here’s what you need to know.
| Site | Built By | Key Feature | Best Time to Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Paul’s Anglican Church | Father Jerome Hawes (Anglican ministry) | Twin towers, harbour views, first of the pair | Late afternoon for golden light |
| St. Peter and St. Paul Catholic Church | Father Jerome Hawes (after conversion to Catholicism) | Medieval-inspired stonework, arched doorways | Late afternoon for golden light on stone facade |
| Clarence Town Harbour | Working fishing community | Daily catch landings, Thursday market | Late afternoon when boats return |
| Dean’s Blue Hole | Natural formation | 202 metres deep, world’s third-deepest blue hole | Morning for calmest water |
St. Paul’s Anglican Church: Father Jerome’s First Masterpiece
Father Jerome Hawes arrived in the Bahamas as an Anglican priest, but before taking orders, he was trained as an architect in England. That training shows in St. Paul’s Anglican Church, the first of his two hilltop churches in Clarence Town. Built during his Anglican ministry, the church features twin towers that rise roughly 40 feet above the harbour, with a design that feels more medieval English than Caribbean.
The church’s position on the hill means you get sweeping views across the harbour and the cays beyond—a perspective that makes the 40-foot towers feel even more commanding. Inside, the wooden structure is painted in soft pastel colors, typical of Bahamian church interiors, but the real draw is the architectural symmetry that would later be echoed in its Catholic counterpart.
Visit St. Paul’s in the late afternoon, when the low sun casts warm light on the stone facade and the harbour below turns a deeper shade of turquoise. Service times vary, so ask locally about tower access—a small donation is customary.
St. Peter and St. Paul Catholic Church: A Conversion in Stone
After Father Jerome converted to Roman Catholicism, he built a second church that mirrors the first in striking ways. St. Peter and St. Paul Catholic Church sits on the same hill, with the same twin-tower silhouette, but its medieval-inspired stonework and arched doorways give it a distinct character. The architectural symmetry between the two buildings—one Anglican, one Catholic—tells the story of one man’s faith journey across denominations.
The two churches are within a five-minute walk of each other, and seeing them side by side—or rather, hill by hill—is the whole point of a visit to Clarence Town. If your crew is anything like ours, Lily and Ethan will quickly spot that the churches look like twins but aren’t quite identical, which opens up a conversation about why someone would build the same building twice for different denominations. That’s the kind of unscripted moment that makes a slow-paced stop like this one memorable.
Clarence Town Harbour: Where the Daily Catch Comes In
Down the hill from the churches, Clarence Town Harbour is the working heart of the settlement. Local fishing boats unload marlin, tuna, and wahoo here, and the occasional mailboat from Nassau—the MV Sherice M runs a weekly schedule—ties up at the small dock. On Thursdays, when cruise ships anchor offshore, local vendors set up stalls selling handmade crafts, fresh produce, and Bahamian specialties. The harbour scene is documented in detail on Pack Lightly’s guide to Clarence Town.
For the best introduction to Clarence Town’s food culture, head to Max’s on the road into town. The conch here is about as fresh as it gets—pulled from the water that morning, prepared as salad, cracked conch, fritters, or chowder. Roadside stands near the marina also serve conch in various preparations, and the local preference for Kalik beer pairs naturally with a waterfront afternoon. If you’re visiting in spring, the annual Mutton Fest celebrates local lamb preparations with special menus around town.
Thursday is market day in Clarence Town—when cruise traffic picks up, vendors set up stalls near the harbour with handmade crafts and fresh produce. It’s also the best day for people-watching and the widest selection of conch options at the roadside stands.
Dean’s Blue Hole and Beyond
A few miles north of Clarence Town, Dean’s Blue Hole drops 202 metres, making it the world’s third-deepest blue hole. It’s a short drive from town—about 10 minutes on local roads—through the Turtle Cove development. The site attracts freedivers from around the globe, particularly during the annual Vertical Blue competition, but it’s equally worth a visit for casual swimmers and snorkelers who want to float above one of the most dramatic underwater features in the Bahamas. Dean’s Blue Hole is one of the key draws of the area for good reason.
If you have more time, Hamilton’s Cave near Clarence Town offers an extensive limestone cave system with stalactites, stalagmites, and Lucayan shell middens. Colonial-era carvings and graffiti add historical layers, and guided tours cover both geology and human history. Bring a flashlight and sturdy shoes with good grip. For anglers, the shallow flats around Clarence Town offer world-class bonefishing from October to May, with local guides who know the sandbars and channels where bonefish feed.
Dean’s Blue Hole has no on-site facilities—no bathrooms, no concessions, no shade structures. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and sun protection. The water is deep and cold even on hot days, so ease in gradually, especially with kids.
Getting to Clarence Town: Logistics and Practicalities
Clarence Town sits at the southern end of Long Island’s Queen’s Highway. Most visitors fly into Nassau (NAS), then connect via Bahamasair or a local carrier to Deadman’s Cay Airport (LGI), which is about a 20-minute drive north of town. Stella Maris Airport (SML) in the north of the island also serves some flights, with Clarence Town about an hour’s drive south. Deadman’s Cay is an official Port of Entry with customs and immigration.
A rental car is essential—no major rental chains operate on Long Island, so arrange one through your accommodation before you arrive. The island stretches about 80 miles, and having your own wheels lets you reach Dean’s Blue Hole, Hamilton’s Cave, and the beaches at Cape Santa Maria and Salt Pond Bay. For a more leisurely approach, the mailboat MV Sherice M connects Long Island to Nassau weekly, though this option takes significantly more time.
Family-run guesthouses in Clarence Town start around $70 per night (2026 rates). Dining options are modest—think conch stands and small local restaurants rather than full-service restaurants. For more variety, consider staying at properties between Clarence Town and Deadman’s Cay, or at the Stella Maris resort area in the north.
Roads on Long Island can be rough and unpaved in places, especially leading to beaches and natural sites. A rental car with decent ground clearance is worth the extra cost. Fill up on fuel when you can—stations are few and far between outside Clarence Town and Deadman’s Cay.
Before You Go — Clarence Town, Long Island
Can I climb the towers of the twin churches?
Yes, typically outside service times. Ask locally at each church—a small donation is customary. Service schedules vary, so check with your guesthouse or a local resident before heading up.
How far is Dean’s Blue Hole from Clarence Town?
About 3 miles north, roughly a 10-minute drive. Head through the Turtle Cove development and park near the bay. The walk from the parking area to the blue hole is short but uneven.
What’s the best time of year to visit Clarence Town?
November through May offers the most pleasant weather with lower humidity and calm seas. April to June and October to early December are also good. Avoid July through September due to heavy rain and hurricane risk.
Is Clarence Town suitable for a family trip?
Yes, if your family enjoys slow-paced, low-key travel. The twin churches are easy to visit with kids, the harbour is safe and interesting, and Dean’s Blue Hole is a short drive away. Just know that dining is basic and there are no major resorts or organized kids’ activities.
Do I need a rental car?
Yes. The island’s 80-mile length and the distance between sites make a car necessary. Arrange one through your accommodation before arrival, as no major rental chains operate on Long Island.
The Last Word on Clarence Town’s Twin Churches
Father Jerome Hawes built two churches on the same hill for two denominations, and in doing so created a landmark that asks a quiet question about what unites rather than divides. Standing between St. Paul’s and St. Peter and St. Paul’s, with the harbour and the sea stretching out below, you get the sense that Clarence Town doesn’t need to shout about what it has. For more ideas on building a trip around the Out Islands, take a look at our guide to Bahamian seafood specialties to plan your meals along the way.
References
Sail Abacos. “Clarence Town.” Sail Abacos, 2025. ↗
Sail Abacos. “Things to Do in Clarence Town.” Sail Abacos, 2025. ↗
Pack Lightly. “Clarence Town, Bahamas.” Pack Lightly, 2026. ↗
If you’re planning a longer Bahamas itinerary, our guide to Bahamian conch fritters is a good place to start thinking about what you’ll eat along the way. For cocktail lovers, tropical cocktails in the Bahamas offers drink inspiration for your evenings in the Out Islands. And if you’re still deciding where to base your trip, this food-focused guide to Bahamian seafood might help narrow down your choices.
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