Long Island stretches for roughly 100 kilometres through the southern Bahamas, a narrow sliver of limestone and scrub forest where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean. At its southern tip, Gordon’s Beach sits as a stretch of white sand backed by pine trees, with water that shifts from pale turquoise to deep indigo depending on the tide. The beach sees few visitors, partly because Long Island itself receives a fraction of the traffic that Nassau or the Exumas handle, and partly because reaching this particular shore requires a deliberate journey.
Gordon’s Beach is the southernmost white-sand beach on Long Island, shaded by pine trees and facing the Atlantic.
Long Island is roughly 300 kilometres from Nassau, a distance that filters out most day-trippers. The island’s west coast faces the Exuma Sound, while the east coast meets the open Atlantic, giving Gordon’s Beach a different character from the sheltered coves found elsewhere. This article covers what to expect at Gordon’s Beach, how to get there, and what makes it worth the travel time — along with the limitations that come with a genuinely remote spot.
Gordon’s Beach is a quiet, undeveloped stretch of sand that rewards travellers who plan ahead. The lack of facilities means you carry everything in and out, and the southern location adds driving time from the island’s main settlements. For anyone seeking solitude over convenience, it delivers.
Long Island: Orientation and Movement
Long Island runs north-south, with the main road — the Queen’s Highway — tracing the spine of the island. Driving from the northern settlements near Stella Maris to Gordon’s Beach in the south takes roughly an hour and a half on paved roads that narrow in places. The island has no traffic lights and few fuel stations, so filling up before heading south is a practical necessity.
Solo travellers seeking quiet
Couples wanting privacy
Experienced self-drivers
The island’s east coast, where Gordon’s Beach sits, faces the Atlantic directly. Swell conditions vary with the season, and the water can be rougher than the protected west coast beaches. The pine trees that back the beach provide natural shade, a detail that matters on an island where midday sun is intense and artificial cover is absent.
Distance from Nassau to Long Island — roughly a 45-minute flight or a multi-hour ferry crossing.
What I’d do: arrive with a full tank of fuel, a cooler of water, and a printed map. Phone service is patchy south of Deadman’s Cay, and the turnoffs to the beach are not always signposted.
Gordon’s Beach and Nearby Spots
Gordon’s Beach sits at the southern end of Long Island, a stretch of white sand that meets the Atlantic with no development in sight. The pine trees that grow close to the high-tide line offer the only shade, and the beach itself is wide enough that even on a busy day — which is rare — you can find your own patch of sand. The water clarity depends on the wind; a calm day reveals the sandy bottom well offshore, while a stiff easterly breeze stirs up sediment and reduces visibility.
Dean’s Blue Hole
About 30 minutes north of Gordon’s Beach, Dean’s Blue Hole drops to 202 metres, making it the second-deepest saltwater blue hole in the world. The hole is surrounded by limestone bluffs, and the water colour changes abruptly from pale turquoise to a dark navy that signals depth. Free divers train here regularly, and the site is accessible from the road with a short walk down to the water’s edge. The swimming area near the edge is shallow, but the drop-off is sudden — strong swimmers only, and never alone.
Hamilton’s Cave
On the western side of Long Island, Hamilton’s Cave contains stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousands of years. The cave is family-friendly but may be challenging for very young children, and pets are not permitted inside to protect the delicate ecosystem. A guide is recommended — the entrance is unmarked from the road, and the interior has uneven footing and low ceilings in places.
Gordon’s Beach faces the Atlantic, not the sheltered Exuma Sound. On days with a strong easterly wind, the water can be choppy and less clear. Check the wind forecast before making the drive south.
What I’d do: combine Gordon’s Beach with Dean’s Blue Hole in a single day. Start at the blue hole in the morning when the light is best for photography, then head south to Gordon’s Beach for the afternoon. Bring snorkel gear for the blue hole — the shallows around the edge hold small reef fish.
Planning Your Trip to Gordon’s Beach
Getting to Long Island requires either a flight from Nassau to Stella Maris or Deadman’s Cay, or a ferry from Nassau that runs several times a week. Once on the island, a rental car is essential — public transit is limited to a few minibuses that run irregularly between settlements. The drive from Stella Maris to Gordon’s Beach takes about 90 minutes on paved roads that narrow to two lanes in places.
| Route | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nassau to Stella Maris (flight) | ~45 minutes | Multiple daily flights; book ahead in high season |
| Nassau to Deadman’s Cay (flight) | ~50 minutes | Fewer flights; closer to southern beaches |
| Stella Maris to Gordon’s Beach (drive) | ~90 minutes | Queen’s Highway; one fuel stop in Deadman’s Cay |
Best Time to Visit
The dry season from December to April offers the most reliable weather, with lower humidity and steadier trade winds. Summer months bring higher temperatures and a greater chance of afternoon thunderstorms, but also fewer visitors and lower accommodation rates. The Atlantic side, where Gordon’s Beach sits, can experience rougher conditions from June to November when hurricane season increases the likelihood of swell.
No facilities exist at Gordon’s Beach. No restrooms, no food vendors, no shade beyond the pine trees. Pack everything you need for the day, including drinking water, sun protection, and a way to carry out your rubbish.
What to Bring
Reef-safe sunscreen is a legal requirement across the Bahamas and is essential for protecting the coral ecosystems near the shore. A cooler with water and food is necessary — the nearest shop is in Deadman’s Cay, about 30 minutes north. A hat, sunglasses, and a long-sleeved shirt provide better sun protection than sunscreen alone, especially during the midday hours when the UV index is highest.
What I’d do: bring a dry bag for electronics and a pair of water shoes. The sand at Gordon’s Beach is soft, but the shoreline has scattered coral rubble in places that can be sharp underfoot.
On the Ground: What to Know Before You Go
Long Island operates on island time in the truest sense. Shops close for lunch, fuel stations may run out of petrol, and restaurant hours are posted but not always followed. The island’s population is spread across small settlements like Deadman’s Cay, Clarence Town, and Stella Maris, and most services are concentrated in these areas. South of Deadman’s Cay, options for food and fuel become scarce.
Driving and Navigation
The Queen’s Highway runs the length of Long Island and is paved for most of its route, but the surface quality varies. Potholes are common after heavy rain, and some sections narrow to a single lane with passing bays. Speed limits are posted but rarely enforced — the real constraint is road condition. A 4×4 is not necessary unless you plan to explore the unpaved tracks that lead to some of the west coast beaches.
Local Customs and Etiquette
Bahamians are generally reserved but friendly, and a greeting goes a long way. When entering a shop or approaching a vendor, a simple “good morning” or “good afternoon” is expected before making a request. Tipping is standard at restaurants — 15 to 20 percent — and for tour guides or drivers. Dress is casual, but swimwear is not appropriate in towns or restaurants.
- Gordon’s Beach has no facilities — bring water, food, and sun protection for the full day.
- Combine the beach with Dean’s Blue Hole and Hamilton’s Cave for a full southern Long Island itinerary.
- Rent a car and fill the tank in Deadman’s Cay before heading south.
What I’d do: learn a few local phrases. “Good morning” and “thank you” are expected, and using them changes how you are received. It is a small effort that makes a noticeable difference.
Long Island Visitor Questions
How do I get to Gordon’s Beach?
Fly from Nassau to Stella Maris or Deadman’s Cay, then drive south on the Queen’s Highway for about 90 minutes. The beach is at the southern tip of the island, and the turnoff is unmarked — a GPS or printed map helps.
The drive is straightforward on paved roads, but potholes and narrow sections require attention. Fill up on fuel in Deadman’s Cay before heading south, as there are no stations beyond that point.
Is Gordon’s Beach safe for swimming?
On calm days, the water is clear and swimmable, but the beach faces the Atlantic and conditions change quickly. A strong easterly wind creates choppy surf and reduced visibility, and there are no lifeguards.
Check the wind forecast before driving south. If the wind is above 15 knots, consider one of the west coast beaches near Clarence Town instead, where the water is sheltered.
What is the best time of year to visit Long Island?
December through April offers the most stable weather, with lower humidity and consistent trade winds. Summer months are hotter and wetter, with a higher chance of afternoon storms.
Hurricane season runs from June to November, and the Atlantic side — where Gordon’s Beach sits — can see rougher conditions during this period. Accommodation rates drop in summer, but so does the reliability of the weather.
Are there restaurants near Gordon’s Beach?
No. The nearest restaurants are in Deadman’s Cay, about 30 minutes north, or in Clarence Town, about 45 minutes north. Options are limited and hours vary.
Pack a cooler with lunch and plenty of water. The beach has no vendors, and the pine trees provide the only shade, so plan to be self-sufficient for the day.
Can I visit Gordon’s Beach and Dean’s Blue Hole in one day?
Yes. Dean’s Blue Hole is about 30 minutes north of Gordon’s Beach, and the two sites combine easily into a full-day itinerary. Start at the blue hole in the morning when the light is best, then head south to the beach for the afternoon.
The drive between them is scenic and takes you through the island’s interior, past limestone bluffs and patches of scrub forest. Allow time for stops along the way — the views from the higher elevations are worth a few minutes.
Closing
Gordon’s Beach does not offer the convenience of a resort beach or the novelty of swimming pigs. What it offers is a stretch of Atlantic shoreline where the only footprints in the sand are likely your own, and where the absence of infrastructure is precisely the point. For travellers willing to trade amenities for solitude, it is a reminder that the Bahamas still holds places that require effort to reach — and reward that effort generously. Read more about other quiet Bahamian beaches worth the journey.
Sources and further reading
Bahamas Island Insider: Discovering the Best Secret Spots in the Bahamas. Wicked Good Travel Tips, 2024.
The Best Beaches in Eleuthera: Most Photogenic Spots, Hidden Coves, Calm Water Gems. Discover Bahamas, 2024.
Gordon’s Beach, Long Island. SeaDream Yacht Club, 2024.
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.