The Bight of Acklins spreads across 500 square miles between Acklins and Crooked Island, a shallow lagoon where the water often stays knee-height even five miles offshore. Pods of 20 to 50 bonefish move across seagrass and sand flats, visible when the wind ripples the surface — and that’s the scene that draws anglers from around the world to this corner of the Bahamas.
Bonefish in the Bight of Acklins typically average three to four pounds, with fish over ten pounds possible during the season. The flats stretch for miles in water rarely deeper than your knees.
Acklins and Crooked Island are worth the travel hassle if you’re after exceptional bonefishing in near-total solitude — but this isn’t a resort destination. You’ll trade convenience for authenticity, and that trade-off is exactly the point for anglers and nature lovers who want the Bahamas the way it used to be.
Avid anglers
Solitude seekers
Nature photographers
These two islands sit far from the cruise-ship crowds, with no large resorts, no jet skis, and no souvenir shops. What they do have is a 500-square-mile flat teeming with bonefish, an 1867 lighthouse with a story, archaeological sites that predate Columbus, and miles of beach you’ll likely have to yourself. Here’s what to know before you go.
| Spot / Activity | Best For | Key Detail | Best Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonefishing the Bight | Anglers | 500-sq-mi lagoon, pods of 20–50 bonefish | March–May, November |
| Castle Island Lighthouse | History buffs, photographers | 112-ft brick tower, 1867 Fresnel lens | Calm conditions |
| Pompey Bay Archaeology | History lovers | Lucayan presence from AD 800 | Year-round |
| Wildlife & Beaches | Nature lovers, families | Flamingos, Bahama parrots, sea turtles | Year-round |
Bonefishing the Bight of Acklins
The Bight of Acklins is the main draw here, and for good reason. This 500-square-mile shallow lagoon between Acklins and Crooked Island holds consistent populations of bonefish that average three to four pounds, with fish over ten pounds possible during the season. Pods of 20 to 50 bonefish roam the seagrass and sand flats, and on a calm day you can spot them moving across the shallows.
Local certified guides are the key to success. They know the tides, the specific flats, and where the fish are holding on any given day. Most provide inshore skiff access or wading options, and the top-quality flats skiffs used by guides like Elton “Bonefish Shakey” McKinney carry 90 to 130 horsepower outboards for getting around efficiently. The run from Landrail Point to French Wells takes about 15 minutes depending on weather and sea conditions.
Bahamasair flies from Nassau to Spring Point Airport on Acklins in about 90 minutes. Bahama Air also serves both islands on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Charter flights from Ft. Lauderdale can get you directly to Pittstown Point, Colonel Hill, or Spring Point. Check current flight schedules and charter options before booking.
Crooked Island Lodge at Pittstown Point offers eight air-conditioned rooms with private baths, a sitting area, refrigerator, Wi‑Fi, and a bar and restaurant serving local dishes and cold beers. Casuarina Pines Villas at Landrail Point has one- and two-bedroom beach cottages with a good local restaurant. Both are set up for anglers.
Your certified guide will have the skiff prepped and ready. They know the tides and the specific flats that are fishing well that day. Run times to prime water are short — about 15 minutes to French Wells from Landrail Point. DIY wading is possible, but local guides significantly increase your success rate.
Target bonefish on the seagrass and sand flats with #2–4 Gotchas, #4–6 Spawning Shrimp, or #2 crab patterns. Hard-bodied epoxy patterns in light tan and brown work well. June and July also bring tarpon along with bones and occasional permit. For deeper water where fish aren’t spooky, Clouser’s Minnows in various colors are effective.
March through May is prime for bonefish numbers, but October and November are often cited as the top overall months — fresh fish on the flats and big numbers. December through February offers good winter fishing for larger bonefish in cooler water.
Castle Island Lighthouse
At the southern tip of Acklins, Castle Island holds a 112-foot round brick lighthouse built in 1867, equipped with a first-order Fresnel lens that still guides ships today. The tower offers wide-ranging views of the surrounding ocean and flats for those who make the trip out by boat from Salina Point, roughly five miles away.
Local legend says the island once served as a pirate retreat for ambushing passing ships. Today the lighthouse is automated and the island is uninhabited, reachable only by boat in calm conditions. The trip is weather-dependent, so check conditions before heading out and arrange your boat through your lodge or a local captain.
Pompey Bay and Lucayan Heritage
Pompey Bay Beach on Acklins holds evidence of the island’s original inhabitants. Archaeological surveys have turned up dense artifact scatters, pottery sherds, shell tools, and shell middens along the beach. Radiocarbon dating confirms human presence here by at least AD 800, long before European contact.
The Lucayan people, who named the island Yabaque — meaning “large western land” — lived across the southern Bahamas for centuries before Spanish enslavement and European disease reduced their population dramatically in the early 16th century. Walking Pompey Bay today, you’re tracing a story that stretches back more than a thousand years. For more on the quieter side of Bahamian history, our guide to Long Island covers another Out Island with deep cultural roots.
Wildlife, Beaches, and Solitude
Acklins and Crooked Island host a surprising range of wildlife for such remote islands. Flamingos, herons, egrets, and the endemic Bahama parrot appear in mangrove-lined waterways, inland ponds, and coastal areas. Remote sandbars and tiny uninhabited cays see sea turtles, rays, and nurse sharks regularly. The birding alone makes the trip worthwhile for nature photographers.
Miles of white sand beaches run along the coast, perfect for beachcombing, snorkeling, and the kind of quiet that’s hard to find anywhere else in the Bahamas. With no cruise traffic and minimal tourism infrastructure, these islands offer an Out Islands experience that’s increasingly rare. If you’re drawn to this kind of shoreline, Sugar Beach delivers a similar sense of seclusion on another island.
The Bahama parrot is endemic and one of the island’s most sought-after sightings. Look for them in mangrove-lined waterways and coastal areas, especially early morning or late afternoon when they’re most active.
Getting There and Making It Work
The logistics of reaching Acklins and Crooked Island are the main friction point — and the main reason they remain uncrowded. Bahamasair flies from Nassau to Spring Point Airport on Acklins in about 90 minutes. Bahama Air serves both islands commercially on Wednesdays and Saturdays only, so your travel dates need to match those flight days. Charter flights from Ft. Lauderdale offer more flexibility, landing at Pittstown Point, Colonel Hill, or Spring Point.
There is no ferry between the islands. Ground transportation is limited, with most visitors arranging rental vehicles or transfers through their fishing lodge. If arriving by private yacht, the Bight of Acklins offers anchorages in settled conditions, but navigation requires careful attention to the shallow flats.
Flight schedules are limited — Bahama Air flies commercially on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. If your travel doesn’t match those days, you’ll need to arrange a charter or adjust your itinerary. Always confirm schedules before booking accommodations.
Accommodations are small fishing lodges and guesthouses with basic but comfortable rooms focused on anglers. There are no large hotels, resorts, or all-inclusives. Crooked Island Lodge at Pittstown Point has eight rooms; Casuarina Pines Villas at Landrail Point offers one- and two-bedroom cottages. Book well ahead during peak fishing months.
Before You Go — Acklins and Crooked Island
Can I fish without a guide?
DIY wading is possible along the flats, but local certified guides significantly increase your success rate by knowing the tides, seasons, and specific fish locations. Most visitors book a guide through their lodge.
Is this trip suitable for kids?
If your kids enjoy beachcombing, wildlife spotting, and wide-open spaces, yes. There are no kids’ clubs, water parks, or organized activities. The beaches are safe and uncrowded, and wildlife sightings are frequent. Plan for a self-directed, outdoor-focused trip.
What’s the best time of year for bonefishing?
March through May is prime for bonefish numbers. October and November are excellent overall months with fresh fish and big numbers on the flats. December through February offers good winter fishing for larger bonefish in cooler water.
How do I reach Castle Island Lighthouse?
You need to arrange a boat from Salina Point, roughly five miles away. The crossing is weather-dependent and best attempted in calm conditions. Your lodge or guide can help arrange transport.
What should I pack for a fishing trip here?
Bring polarized sunglasses for spotting fish on the flats, a wide-brimmed hat, reef-safe sunscreen, and lightweight long-sleeved shirts for sun protection. If you’re bringing your own gear, pack #2–4 Gotchas, #4–6 Spawning Shrimp, and #2 crab patterns. Most lodges can recommend specific fly selections.
The Bahamas You Came For
Acklins and Crooked Island don’t try to be everything to everyone. They’re remote, quiet, and require some effort to reach. But for anglers and nature lovers who make the trip, the reward is a version of the Bahamas that’s all but disappeared elsewhere — where the flats hold double-digit bonefish, the beaches stay empty, and the only schedule you keep is the tide. If that sounds like your kind of trip, these islands are waiting. For more on building a route through the Out Islands, take a look at our multi-island itinerary guide.
References
Sail Abacos. “Acklins Island.” Sail Abacos, 2024. ↗
Bahamas Fly Fishing Guide. “Crooked and Acklins Islands.” Bahamas Fly Fishing Guide, 2024. ↗
If you’re planning a trip to the Out Islands, our multi-island itinerary guide can help you connect Acklins and Crooked Island with stops like the Exumas or Long Island. For underwater adventures, check out our snorkeling and diving guide. And if you’re after more quiet beaches, Sugar Beach offers another slice of Bahamian serenity.
Explore Places to Stay in the Bahamas
Feel free to zoom in and out of the map to explore the area and find the best place to stay for your trip.