Devil’s Point Cat Island for Travelers Chasing the Unusual

On a clear morning at the top of Mount Alvernia, you can watch fishing boats cast off from the Bight of Old Bight while frigatebirds ride the thermals below you. At 206 feet, this limestone ridge is the highest point in all of The Bahamas, and perched on top sits a tiny monastery built by hand by a man who simply wanted solitude. That combination — the country’s summit, a hermit’s stone retreat, and an island where grocery deliveries are still a luxury — is exactly why Cat Island appeals to travelers who’ve grown tired of polished resort itineraries.

Cat Island sits in the central Out Islands of The Bahamas, east of Nassau and south of Eleuthera. It ranks as the #6 region in The Bahamas for backpacking, though calling it a “region” undersells what it really offers: a stretched-out, underdeveloped island where the pace of life forces you to slow down. Compared with Exuma or Eleuthera, Cat Island is cheaper on activities, more authentic, slower, and occasionally boring if you need nightlife. For families chasing something unusual, that’s the whole point.

The five-day framework below covers the island’s main draws without rushing — each day builds on the one before it, moving from the built landmark to the natural one.

Mount Alvernia & The Hermitage: The Highest Point in the Bahamas

Father Jerome, an Anglican priest who converted to Catholicism, built The Hermitage on Mount Alvernia (also called Como Hill) as a miniature monastery where he could live in seclusion. He did it by hand, hauling limestone up the ridge himself, and the result is a compact stone complex that feels more Mediterranean than Caribbean. The path to the top is short but steep — a 15-to-20-minute walk through dry forest that opens onto a 360-degree view of the island’s elongated spine and the Atlantic on both sides.

The site is free to visit, and there’s no gate or attendant. Most people hike up from New Bight, which is the island’s main settlement and the location of the airport (TBI). If your crew is anything like ours, the kids will race to the top while you lag behind with the camera — the summit has no railings at the edge, so keep young children close near the monastery walls.

After the hike, stop at one of the small eateries near the airport for a cold drink. The island’s grocery stores are pricey — supplies have to be flown or barged in — so packing snacks from Nassau is a smart move. For more on the local food scene, read our guide to untold flavors of Bahamian cuisine.

Arthur’s Town: Fish Auctions and Conch Fritters

Arthur’s Town sits on the northern end of Cat Island and has its own small airport (ATC). The real draw here isn’t the airstrip — it’s the pier, where an early-morning fish auction takes place most days. Local fishermen bring in the night’s catch — grouper, snapper, lobster — and buyers gather before the sun gets high. It’s a working auction, not a tourist show, so arrive early, stay quiet, and you’ll see a side of island life that resorts actively insulate you from.

After the auction, walk into the village market. Conch fritters are a staple, and a few stalls sell them fresh throughout the morning. The research notes that Cat Island is known for Rake & Scrape music sessions and local kitchen parties — Arthur’s Town is a good place to ask around for one. Locals are generally happy to point visitors toward a church supper or an informal cookout if you show genuine interest.

The bus between Arthur’s Town and New Bight runs a limited schedule, so check the return timing when you arrive. If you miss it, hitchhiking is common among locals and generally safe during daylight hours. Renting a scooter or bike in New Bight gives you more flexibility to explore the north end on your own schedule.

Pink Sands, Hawksnest, and the Southern Coast Beaches

Cat Island’s beaches don’t have the marketing budget of Cable Beach or Pink Sands on Harbour Island, but they deliver the same pale sand and turquoise water without the crowd. Pink Sands Beach (listed in the research as a Cat Island stop) offers a stretch of soft, blush-toned shore that you can walk for nearly a mile without passing another towel. Hawksnest Beach is a long white-sand beach on the island’s western side, backed by sea grapes and casuarina trees that provide natural shade.

The southern coast beaches are where the five-day itinerary suggests spending the final day. These beaches have a different character — more exposed to the Atlantic swell, with stronger surf in winter. Beach shacks here serve grilled fish and conch salad when the fishermen have had a good day, but don’t count on a set menu. “What do you have?” is the right question, and the answer changes by the hour. For a list of spots worth seeking out, check our guide to local tastes in Exuma’s charming eateries — the same informal, catch-driven ethic applies here.

The Blue Hole: A Crystal-Clear Plunge

A short drive from New Bight, the Blue Hole is an inland sinkhole filled with exceptionally clear water. Unlike the ocean-fed blue holes of Andros or Long Island, this one is sheltered and calm, making it a straightforward spot for a swim. The water is cool year-round — a relief during the hot months from May through October — and the limestone edges offer natural platforms for jumping in.

The site is not developed: no changing rooms, no vendors, no entry fee. Pack everything you need and take your trash back with you. The drive from New Bight takes about 15 minutes on a graded dirt road that’s fine for scooters and cars in dry weather but gets slick after rain. If you’re traveling with young kids who aren’t strong swimmers, bring a flotation device — the water is deep right from the edge.

After your swim, consider driving to one of the small offshore cays near Cat Island for snorkeling and conch gathering. Local fishermen sometimes offer rides for a small fee, but arrangements are informal — ask at your accommodation the night before. For more on island cooking traditions, see our post on Andros Island’s best crab and rice.

Island Rhythm: Regatta, Music, and Local Traditions

Cat Island’s cultural calendar revolves around the Cat Island Regatta, a powerboat race and music event held in late May or early June. The regatta draws crews from across the Out Islands, and the atmosphere shifts from sleepy to celebratory for a long weekend. If you’re traveling with a family, this is the one week when you’ll want to book accommodation well ahead — rooms in New Bight and Arthur’s Town fill up with returning Bahamian families.

Outside of regatta season, the island’s cultural life is quieter but no less rich. Rake-and-scrape music sessions happen at informal gatherings — listen for the sound of a saw being played with a butter knife, the hallmark of the genre. Church services, especially in the Baptist tradition, are open to visitors and offer a direct window into community life. The research also mentions Obeah folklore and Arawak caves as part of Cat Island’s layered history — these aren’t commercialized attractions, but locals can point you toward sites if you ask respectfully.

Old Bight village has plantation ruins that hint at the island’s pre-tourism economy, and a few Arawak caves dot the interior. None of these are signposted or staffed. Treat them as you would any unmarked historical site: look, learn, and leave everything in place.

Getting to Cat Island & Getting Around

Cat Island’s seclusion is its biggest asset and its biggest logistical challenge. Here’s how to navigate it.

You reach Cat Island by flying into Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) and then connecting on a domestic flight to either Arthur’s Town (ATC) in the north or New Bight (TBI) in the south. There are no direct international flights. Bahamasair and a few small charter carriers operate the route, and flights can be cancelled on short notice in weather — build a buffer day into your itinerary if you have a tight connection.

Once you’re on the island, transport options are limited. Renting a scooter or bike from New Bight is the most practical way to explore independently. A few local buses run between settlements, but the schedule is loose — ask at your guesthouse for the current timetable. Hitchhiking is common and generally safe during daylight hours, though it’s less practical with young children. Walking between New Bight and Old Bight is doable on a cool morning but exposed in the midday heat.

Groceries on Cat Island are noticeably more expensive than in Nassau because of transport costs. Packing staples — snacks, sunscreen, basic toiletries — from your departure city can save you both money and the frustration of empty shelves. If you’re still weighing which side of the island to sleep on, this interactive map of Bahamian hotels and rentals makes it easier to compare proximity to the airport, the beach, and the trailhead.

Temperatures range from 28–34 °C (82–93 °F) year-round, with nights rarely dropping below 20 °C (68 °F). The best travel window is November through July, when the weather is driest and the risk of tropical storms is lowest.

Before You Go to Cat Island

How do I actually get to Cat Island?

Fly into Nassau (LPIA), then take a domestic flight to Arthur’s Town (ATC) or New Bight (TBI). Bahamasair operates the route. No direct international flights exist, so budget at least one full travel day each way.

Charter carriers sometimes offer more frequent service, but they cost more and have stricter luggage limits. Book both legs together if possible to protect your connection.

When is the best time to visit with kids?

November through July offers the most reliable weather. December to April is peak season — more flights and more visitors, but still quiet by Bahamas standards. August through October carries the highest hurricane risk.

The Cat Island Regatta in late May or early June is a cultural highlight, but accommodation fills up fast. Book three to four months ahead if you plan to attend.

Is Cat Island safe for families?

Yes, with standard precautions. The island has very low crime rates, but medical facilities are basic — a minor cut or fever may require a flight back to Nassau. Pack a well-stocked first-aid kit.

The biggest real risks are sun exposure and dehydration. Bring more water than you think you need, especially if you’re hiking Mount Alvernia or beach-hopping on the southern coast.

What’s the one thing I should pack that I wouldn’t normally bring?

A portable rechargeable fan. Many guesthouses in New Bight and Arthur’s Town rely on window units that struggle in the afternoon heat, and power outages happen after storms.

Also bring a physical map or download offline maps before you arrive — cell service is patchy outside the main settlements, and GPS can be unreliable on unmarked dirt roads.

Is Cat Island boring for teenagers?

It can be, if they’re used to constant Wi-Fi and scheduled activities. The island has no nightlife, no shopping malls, and no water parks. What it does have is space, independence, and the kind of unstructured time that forces a family to talk to each other.

If your teenager can handle a day without a screen, renting scooters and exploring the northshore coves together is the kind of shared adventure that tends to stick.

The Island That Doesn’t Try to Impress You

Cat Island doesn’t market itself. There’s no tourism board slogan, no welcome center, no lineup of excursions you can book from a hammock. What it offers instead is a version of The Bahamas that hasn’t been smoothed into a product — where the highest point is a hermit’s monastery, the best meal is whatever the fishermen brought in that morning, and the main event of the year is a powerboat race that the whole island shows up for. That’s the unusual thing about it, and it’s exactly why travelers who chase the offbeat keep coming back. For more on the cultural traditions that shape island life here, read about Junkanoo cultural dining experiences you can’t miss.

References

Take Your Backpack. “Visit Cat Island.” TakeYourBackpack.com, 2025. ↗

Fine Naturalist. “Cat Island, Bahamas — Untouched Paradise.” FineNaturalist.blog, 2025. ↗

One Naturalist. “Cat Island, Bahamas — Uncrowded Caribbean.” OneNaturalist.blog, 2025. ↗

If Cat Island’s slow pace and authentic character appeal to you, our guides to the Out Islands dig deeper into similar experiences. The untold flavors of Bahamian cuisine post covers the dishes and ingredients that define island home cooking, while the Bahamian breakfast delights guide points you to the morning meals worth waking up for. For travelers who want to compare Cat Island with nearby options, the Eleuthera restaurant guide offers a more developed (but still low-key) alternative.