From the top of Mount Alvernia on Cat Island, you can see why this corner of The Bahamas feels a world away from the cruise ship terminals. At 206 feet, it’s the country’s highest point, and the view stretches over empty beaches and turquoise water in every direction. The Bahamas welcomed 11.22 million visitors in 2024, but the Out Islands — all 700-plus islands beyond Nassau and Freeport — received 40 percent fewer visitors than New Providence Island alone in 2019.
The Out Islands received 40% fewer visitors than Nassau on New Providence Island in 2019 — and that gap is shrinking as more travelers discover them.
This guide covers five underrated Bahamian islands where you’ll find uncrowded beaches, unique natural features, and a more relaxed pace than the main tourist hubs. Each one offers something different, so I’ve laid out what makes each worth the extra travel time and what you should know before you go.
These five islands trade polished resorts for raw beauty and genuine quiet. They take more effort to reach — you’ll need a connecting flight or ferry from Nassau — but that effort is rewarded with empty beaches, world-class snorkeling, and a pace that feels like the Bahamas of decades ago. Pick based on what you want most: diving (Andros), landscapes (Eleuthera), wildlife (Exuma), adventure (Long Island), or pure solitude (Cat Island).
Crowd-avoiders
Nature lovers
Return visitors to the Bahamas
| Island | Best For | Standout Feature | Time Needed | Key Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat Island | Wellness & solitude | The Hermitage at Mount Alvernia | 2–3 days | Visit The Hermitage early morning for cooler temps and clear light |
| Andros Island | Diving & ecotourism | Andros Barrier Reef — third largest in the world | 3–4 days | Book dive trips through your lodge; independent operators are limited |
| Long Island | Adventure & geology | Dean’s Blue Hole — second deepest saltwater blue hole | 2–3 days | Dean’s drops fast past 60 feet — stay within your comfort zone |
| Eleuthera | Beaches & scenic drives | Glass Window Bridge’s Atlantic-Caribbean contrast | 3–4 days | Rent a car — the island stretches 110 miles with limited taxis |
| Exuma Cays | Wildlife & marine park | Swimming pigs at Big Major Cay | 4–5 days | Visit the pigs by 8 a.m. before the tour boats from Nassau arrive |
Cat Island
Cat Island is where you go when you want the Bahamas almost to yourself. It’s believed to be Christopher Columbus’s first landing site in the New World in 1492, and the island has kept that pre-development feel ever since. The Hermitage, a medieval-style stone monastery built by hand in 1939, sits at the top of Mount Alvernia and offers a 360-degree view of the island and surrounding sea. Sidney Poitier lived here until he was ten — he was the first Black actor and first Bahamian to win the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Visit The Hermitage right after sunrise — the stone steps are narrow and get hot by mid-morning, and the eastern light over the Atlantic is spectacular. The trail is short but steep; take water.
Andros Island
Andros is the largest island in the Bahamas by a wide margin — roughly 2,300 square miles with a population around 10,000 — which means you can explore for days without repeating ground. It’s called the “Sleeping Giant” and is widely considered the eco-tourism capital of the Bahamas. The Andros Barrier Reef spans over 140 miles, making it the world’s third-largest barrier reef, with more than 40 diving spots and over 100 fish species. The island also features an extensive system of freshwater blue holes, some reaching depths over 600 feet.
The blue holes on Andros are not for casual swimmers — depths beyond 600 feet and complex underground cave systems mean they should only be explored with a qualified guide and proper cave-diving certification. Stick to the reef if you’re a recreational diver.
If you’re comparing Andros to other islands, the official Andros page on Bahamas.com breaks down access points and lodges by coast. For a deeper look at what makes this island unique, the Beyond Nassau guide on Andros covers specific trailheads and dive operators.
Long Island
Long Island is only about 4 miles wide, but it packs two distinct coastlines into that narrow footprint: tranquil white-sand beaches on the western side and rugged cliffs on the eastern shore. The headline attraction is Dean’s Blue Hole, the world’s second-deepest known saltwater blue hole at roughly 663 feet. But the island also holds Hamilton’s Cave — the largest cave system in the Bahamas, with 50-foot-wide passages and ceilings over 10 feet high — and Conception Island National Park, a short boat ride away with snorkeling and historic ruins.
Dean’s Blue Hole is free to access and you can walk right in from the beach, but the bottom drops sharply past 60 feet. If you’re snorkeling rather than diving, stay near the shallow rim — the deep water is cold and disorienting. The Forbes feature on the Out Islands includes Long Island among the rising destinations worth watching.
Eleuthera
Eleuthera is where you come for the iconic Bahamas postcard shot — the Glass Window Bridge, a narrow natural rock formation where the deep blue Atlantic meets the light turquoise Caribbean Sea in a stark contrast that photographs like nothing else. The island runs about 110 miles north to south, with pink sand beaches formed from crushed red shells of foraminifera, and the Queen’s Bath — a rocky collection of natural pools along the coast. Harbour Island, a 3.5-mile-long island off Eleuthera’s northeast coast, is famous for Pink Sand Beach and New England-style architecture.
Hit the Glass Window Bridge before 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m. to avoid the tour vans. On the way south, stop at Queen’s Bath at low tide — the pools are safest and clearest when the water is calm. Eleuthera’s full 110-mile length is best explored with a rental car booked well ahead of arrival.
The Glass Window Bridge page on Bahamas.com has tide tables and safety notes for the crossing. For a broader look at the island’s historic sites, the guide to the historic forts near Pink Sands Beach covers the colonial-era ruins worth adding to your route.
Exuma Cays
The Exuma Cays are a chain of 15 islands that host some of the most famous wildlife encounters in the Caribbean — the swimming pigs of Big Major Cay, the nurse sharks of Compass Cay, and the native iguanas of Guana Cay. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is the world’s first “no-take” marine reserve, meaning fishing and collecting are prohibited, which has allowed fish populations and coral to thrive. Thunderball Grotto, a flooded cave system in the park, was a filming location for two James Bond movies — “Thunderball” and “Never Say Never Again.”
The swimming pigs at Big Major Cay have become a major tourist draw — by 10 a.m., multiple tour boats are anchored offshore and the beach can feel crowded. Book a private tour or arrive with the first operator of the day to experience it with fewer people. The pigs are wild animals; don’t feed them your own food and keep a respectful distance.
The hidden cays and snorkel spots guide on Island Hopper Guides covers lesser-known anchorages in the Exumas where you can avoid the tour boat routes entirely.
Practical Tips for Visiting the Out Islands
Getting to these islands takes planning, but the payoff is real. Here’s what you need to know before you book.
Getting There
All five islands require a connecting flight from Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport. Bahamasair and several smaller carriers like Flamingo Air and Western Air serve the Out Islands, with flight times ranging from 30 minutes to just over an hour. Ferry services exist (the Bahamas Ferries network connects Eleuthera, Long Island, Cat Island, and Exuma from Nassau), but they take 2–4 hours and run on limited schedules. For Andros, flying is the most practical option unless you’re arriving by private boat.
When to Go
The sweet spot is December through April, when humidity is low and rainfall is minimal. Hurricane season runs June through November, with the highest risk from August to October — many lodges close during this window. The summer months (June–August) bring higher temperatures and more rain, but also lower rates on accommodations and emptier beaches. Water visibility for snorkeling and diving is best from March to June.
Where to Stay
Accommodation varies widely by island. Cat Island and Long Island are dominated by small guesthouses and vacation rentals — book through local agencies rather than major booking platforms. Andros has a mix of fishing lodges and boutique resorts like Caerula Mar Club. Eleuthera offers the widest range, from Harbour Island luxury resorts to roadside cottages. The Exumas have ultra-exclusive options like Fowl Cay and Rosewood’s planned property opening in 2028, plus more modest rentals on Great Exuma. If you’re still weighing which island to sleep on, this interactive map of Out Islands accommodations makes it easier to compare options against the beach, the reef, or the trailhead.
Rental cars are essential on Eleuthera (110 miles of road) and Andros (spread-out settlements), but less necessary on Cat Island and Long Island if you’re staying put at one lodge. Book rental cars at least two weeks in advance during peak season — supply is limited on every Out Island.
Packing for the Out Islands
Beyond the standard beach gear, bring a good pair of water shoes for rocky shore access (Queen’s Bath, Dean’s Blue Hole rim, Thunderball Grotto entry), a dry bag for day trips, and cash — many Out Island businesses don’t accept cards. For capturing the scale of these islands from above — the Glass Window Bridge contrast, the curve of Cape Santa Maria, the full span of the Andros Barrier Reef — a compact drone like the DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo gives you three batteries (114 minutes total flight time) and vertical shooting for social media, all under the weight limit that requires registration. A rugged action camera like the DJI Osmo Action 6 handles underwater snorkel footage, motorcycle rides, and hiking in one compact unit with 8K video and 360° stabilization.
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Before You Go: Out Islands Travel Questions
Which Out Island is best for a first-time visitor?
Eleuthera is the easiest introduction — it has the most accommodation options, the widest range of restaurants, and the shortest connecting flight from Nassau. The pink sand beaches and Glass Window Bridge deliver the iconic Bahamas experience without the crowds of Nassau.
If you’re after wildlife and willing to pay for a guided tour, the Exumas are more rewarding but also more expensive and logistically complex. Start with Eleuthera, graduate to the Exumas on a return trip.
Do I really need a rental car on these islands?
On Eleuthera and Andros, yes — those islands are too long and spread out to rely on taxis. On Cat Island and Long Island, a car gives you flexibility, but you can manage with a lodge that offers pickup and drop-off if you’re only there for a few days. In the Exumas, most tours include transportation by boat from your lodge.
Book rental cars at least two weeks ahead during peak months (December–April). Out Island rental fleets are small and sell out fast.
How do I get between these islands?
You’ll fly back through Nassau to island-hop between Out Islands — there are no direct inter-island flights. Bahamasair and Flamingo Air connect most Out Islands to Nassau, but not to each other. The Bahamas Ferries network offers direct ferry routes between some islands (Eleuthera to Harbour Island, for example), but schedules are limited to a few days per week.
If you’re planning a multi-island trip, base yourself on one island for 3–4 days rather than trying to bounce between them — the transit time eats into your beach time fast.
What’s the realistic budget for an Out Islands trip?
Expect to pay more than a comparable trip to Nassau. Flights from the US to Nassau plus a connecting flight add $200–400 per person. Accommodation on the Out Islands runs $150–400 per night for mid-range options, and rental cars add $60–100 per day. Meals cost 20–30 percent more than in Nassau because of supply chain logistics.
Budget for at least $250–350 per person per day including lodging, transport, and food. The trade-off is that beaches, snorkeling, and hiking are all free.
Are the Out Islands safe for solo travelers?
Yes — the Out Islands have very low crime rates compared to Nassau and Freeport. The main risks are environmental: sun exposure, strong currents at certain beaches, and limited medical facilities. Cat Island and Long Island have small clinics but no hospitals; a medical emergency would require evacuation to Nassau.
Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended for any Out Islands trip. Let your lodge know your itinerary each day if you’re exploring alone.
The Real Bahamas Takes a Little More Effort
The Out Islands don’t hand you convenience. You’ll navigate connecting flights, limited restaurant hours, and roads that test your rental car’s suspension. But that friction is exactly why these islands still feel like the Bahamas of fifty years ago — empty beaches where the only footprints are yours, water so clear you can count the starfish from the surface, and a pace that forces you to slow down whether you planned to or not. For a deeper look into one of these islands in particular, the full guide to Andros Island on Island Hopper Guides covers specific dive sites, blue hole access points, and lodge recommendations for the island that still has more coastline than roads.
References
Forbes. “These Lesser-Known Islands In the Bahamas Are Becoming The Caribbean’s Next Big Thing.” 2025. ↗
Bahamas.com. “The Bahamas Drives Unprecedented Tourism Growth, Welcoming More Than 11 Million Visitors in 2024.” ↗
Bahamas.com. “Andros Island.” ↗
Bahamas.com. “Glass Window Bridge.” ↗
If you’re planning a trip that balances solitude with a bit of romance, the couples guide to romantic Bahamian getaways covers Out Island properties that work well for two. For a taste of the local food culture you’ll encounter on any of these islands, the conch culture guide explains what to order and where to find the best cracked conch and conch salad outside of Nassau’s tourist strip. And if you’re still debating between the Exumas and Eleuthera, the snorkeling guide to Stocking Island beaches offers a third option worth considering — it’s a day-trip accessible from Great Exuma with fewer crowds than the famous pig beach.
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.