Bird Rock Lighthouse was once considered the loneliest station in the British dominion, with supply vessels calling only twice a year.
That 112-foot stone tower has been standing watch over Crooked Island’s northern tip since 1876, long after the British Imperial Lighthouse Service erected it and long after automation rendered it obsolete around 1934. Today it’s abandoned, a weathering monument on a rocky offshore outcrop that most visitors never set foot on — but its silhouette defines this corner of The Bahamas just as clearly as it did a century ago.
Crooked Island sits roughly 60 nautical miles southeast of Georgetown, Exuma, across the Crooked Island Passage, and it operates on a different rhythm entirely. There are no traffic lights, no fast food chains, and few modern tourism concessions. The largest settlement, Colonel Hill, has a post office and a police station but no pretense of being a resort town. This article covers what you’ll actually find at Pittstown Point — the anchorage, the lighthouse, the beaches, the bonefishing, and the logistical realities of visiting a place that hasn’t been polished for the postcard crowd.
Crooked Island rewards travelers who treat remoteness as a feature, not a bug. The anchorage at Pittstown Point is exposed — north and west winds make it untenable — and provisioning is limited, so you arrive well-stocked or not at all. But the trade-off is a kind of quiet that’s genuinely hard to find in the Bahamas chain: empty beaches, productive bonefishing flats, and a lighthouse that still feels like it’s keeping watch over something worth protecting. Come in the dry season (November through May), charter a catamaran or bring your own, and plan to stay put once you’re there.
Experienced cruisers
Bonefishing anglers
Off-grid adventurers
| Aspect | What to Know | Best For | Practical Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittstown Point Anchorage | Fair-weather anchorage with sand bottom, marina access 5 min north, basic supplies 5 min south | Day stops, settled overnight stays | Exposed from north/west — relocate if wind shifts |
| Bird Rock Lighthouse | 112-ft stone tower built 1876, automated 1934, now abandoned; best viewed from water | Photography, history buffs | Requires calm conditions and a boat to approach |
| Beaches & Snorkeling | Secluded white sand at Pittstown Point, reef system, Morgan’s Point for calm wading | Snorkelers, families with young kids | Morgan’s Point is calmest in the morning |
| Bonefishing & Water Activities | Bight of Acklins: 500-sq-mile lagoon, bonefish averaging 3–4 lbs, catches over 10 lbs common | Anglers, divers, kayakers | Peak season March–May; productive year-round |
| Island Life & Logistics | Colonel Hill is the admin center; no large resorts, small lodges only | Travelers seeking authentic quiet | Book accommodation well in advance; arrive with realistic expectations |
Pittstown Point Anchorage: Approach, Anchor, and Settle In
Pittstown Point Anchorage sits at Crooked Island’s northwestern tip, a scenic stretch of sand with marina access and uninterrupted views of Bird Rock Lighthouse. It’s the kind of place you pick as a first landfall after crossing from Long Island or the Exumas — the lighthouse makes an excellent visual reference from several miles out.
Use Bird Rock Lighthouse as your bearing. Depths run 10 to 15 feet on the approach. Coordinates for the anchorage are 22.8370° N, -74.3460° W. See the anchorage on Google Maps.
Set your hook midway between Pittstown Point and the next small point to the east. The bottom is predominantly sand with good holding once set, but scattered coral heads are present — watch your chain. Detailed anchorage notes from Sail Abacos cover the bottom composition and approach angles.
A small marina sits roughly five minutes north of the anchorage; a small boat harbor is five minutes south. Basic groceries and supplies are available via the harbor and a short walk into town. Note that marina facilities in this remote area can vary in operational status — contact ahead or check with fellow cruisers for current conditions.
This anchorage is exposed with limited protection from north or west winds. It’s best suited as a fair-weather stop for day visits or overnight stays in settled conditions with easterly trades. If the forecast shifts, consider relocating to more protected anchorages such as French Wells, Landrail Point, or Long Cay.
For those without their own vessel, it’s possible to charter a private crewed catamaran with Captain Ron for access to Pittstown Point Anchorage — worth investigating if you’re set on this specific corner of the island but don’t have a boat in the water.
Bird Rock Lighthouse: The Loneliest Station
The lighthouse that guided you in has a story worth knowing before you move on. Bird Rock Lighthouse was built by the British Imperial Lighthouse Service in 1876, a 112-foot stone tower on a rocky outcrop so remote that supply vessels called only twice a year. It was automated around 1934 and eventually abandoned, left to weather as a monument on the rock.
Most visitors view Bird Rock Lighthouse from the water rather than attempting a landing. The rock is small, the sea around it can be choppy, and there’s no dock. Early morning, with the sun behind you and the tower lit from the east, gives the best light for photographs from a dinghy or paddleboard.
The lighthouse’s silhouette later inspired Jimmy Buffett’s novel A Salty Piece of Land — a fitting cultural footnote for a structure that spent decades as the loneliest station in the British dominion. If you’re interested in other under-the-radar Bahamian spots with stories behind them, the Junkanoo Beach ruins offer a different kind of coastal history worth reading before you go.
Beaches, Snorkeling, and Inland Exploration
Once you’re settled at anchor, the island opens up on its own terms. Pittstown Point itself has a secluded white sand beach with an extensive reef system just offshore — ideal for snorkeling straight from the sand. Morgan’s Point, a short distance away, offers crystal water and soft sand with calm morning conditions that are perfect for wading with younger kids.
Inland, the island’s karst limestone landscape has created blue holes and tidal pools that teem with marine life at low tide. Inland caves with oddly shaped rock formations invite exploration, and Gun Bluff provides a cliff-top viewpoint for hiking and photography. The terrain is raw and undeveloped — there are no marked trails or interpretive signs, so treat it as genuine backcountry exploration.
Morgan’s Point is calmest in the morning before the afternoon breeze picks up. If you’re snorkeling the reef at Pittstown Point, go on an incoming tide for the best visibility — the crystal-clear water gets a slight haze when the tide drops and stirs the sand.
For families, the tidal pools are a low-stakes way to let kids see marine life up close without needing snorkel gear. Lily and Ethan would spend an hour here with a mesh bag and a waterproof ID card, turning over small rocks and watching hermit crabs scramble. If your kids are anything like that, pack water shoes and a sense of unhurried time.
Bonefishing and Water Activities in the Bight of Acklins
The Bight of Acklins is a 500-square-mile shallow lagoon that separates Crooked Island from Acklins to the east, and it harbors some of the most productive bonefishing flats in The Bahamas. Trophy bonefish here average 3 to 4 pounds, and frequent catches exceed 10 pounds. The peak season runs from March through May, though fishing remains productive year-round.
Beyond bonefishing, the area offers excellent snorkeling and diving on pristine reefs where the underwater terrain drops abruptly into deep blue. Boating, kayaking, and exploring the small cays scattered across the bight are all viable ways to spend a day on the water. The lack of tour operators means you’re largely on your own — bring your own gear and your own itinerary.
If you’re interested in other unique Bahamas animal encounters, swimming with pigs in the Exumas gets all the attention, but tailing a 10-pound bonefish across a flat in near silence is an experience that stays with you longer.
Island Life and Logistics: Colonel Hill and Beyond
Colonel Hill, on the northeastern end of Crooked Island, serves as the administrative center and largest settlement. It hosts government offices, the post office, and the police station. Central Park is the site of homecomings and community celebrations. The first post office in The Bahamas is said to have operated from nearby Pitt’s Town — a small historical footnote on an island full of them.
Other settlements include Landrail Point, Cripple Hill, True Blue, and French Wells, each shaped by generations of Loyalist families who arrived in the late 1700s. There are no traffic lights, no fast food chains, and very few modern tourism concessions. The island has a small airport at Colonel Hill, with Bahamasair operating flights from Nassau several times weekly — flight time is roughly one hour. There is no ferry service.
On-island transportation is limited. Rental vehicles may be arranged through guesthouses, but availability is unpredictable. The island can also be reached by private yacht, with anchorages at Pittstown Point and Landrail Point. If you’re flying in, book a rental car at the same time you book your accommodation — don’t assume you’ll find one on arrival.
Accommodation on Crooked Island is limited to small lodges and guesthouses. Pittstown Point Landing is the most established option. There are no large resorts. Visitors should book well in advance and arrive with realistic expectations about amenities and services. If you’re still weighing which side of the island to sleep on, this interactive map of the island’s lodges and rental options makes it easier to compare proximity to the anchorage, the flats, and the trailhead at Gun Bluff.
Practical Considerations for a Crooked Island Trip
Getting to Crooked Island requires intention. Fly into Colonel Hill Airport (CRI) from Nassau on Bahamasair — several flights per week, about an hour in the air. From there, you’re reliant on pre-arranged rental cars or guesthouse transfers. There is no Uber, no taxi stand, and no rental car desk in the terminal. Make these arrangements before you land.
Seasonality and Timing
The dry season from November through May offers lower humidity and minimal rainfall. This is the window for settled anchorage conditions at Pittstown Point and the most comfortable hiking weather for Gun Bluff. Bonefishing peaks from March through May, though the flats fish productively year-round. The wet season (June through October) brings higher humidity, afternoon thunderstorms, and the possibility of tropical systems that make the exposed anchorage at Pittstown Point untenable.
What to Bring
Arrive well-stocked. Provisioning on Crooked Island is limited to basic groceries available through the small boat harbor at Pittstown Point. There is no supermarket, no chandlery, and no dive shop. Bring all snorkel gear, fishing tackle, sunscreen, insect repellent, and any specialty food items your family needs. If you’re anchoring, carry enough supplies for several extra days in case weather pins you in place.
The most common failure point for a Crooked Island trip is underestimating the remoteness. There is no marina with fuel docks and pump-out stations, no ferry service to the mainland, and no urgent care clinic within easy reach. A minor equipment failure or a two-day weather delay can turn a relaxed stop into a genuine logistics problem. Build buffer into your schedule and your supply list.
If you’re looking for other under-the-radar Bahamian islands that reward the extra effort, our guide to the Bahamas’ most underrated islands covers several alternatives with similar isolation but different access trade-offs.
Before You Go — Crooked Island
Can you visit Bird Rock Lighthouse up close?
Not easily. The lighthouse stands on a small offshore rock and requires a boat and calm sea conditions to approach. Most people view it from the water at Pittstown Point Anchorage.
Landing on the rock itself is discouraged — there’s no dock, the rocks are slippery, and the structure is abandoned and unstable. The Crooked Island page from Sail Abacos has more context on the lighthouse’s history and current condition.
When is the best time to visit Crooked Island?
The dry season from November through May is ideal, with lower humidity and minimal rainfall. Bonefishing peaks from March through May, but fishing is productive year-round.
The wet season (June to October) brings higher humidity and afternoon thunderstorms, and tropical systems can make the anchorage unsafe.
What kind of accommodation is available?
There are no large resorts. Accommodation is limited to small lodges and guesthouses, with Pittstown Point Landing being the most established option.
Book well in advance and arrive with realistic expectations about amenities. If you’re cruising, the anchorage at Pittstown Point is the most straightforward option for overnight stays in settled conditions.
How do you get to Crooked Island?
Fly to Colonel Hill Airport (CRI) from Nassau on Bahamasair — several flights per week, about one hour. There is no ferry service.
On-island transportation is limited to rental vehicles arranged through guesthouses. Book both your flight and your rental car well ahead of your trip.
What should you pack for Crooked Island?
Bring everything you’ll need: snorkel gear, fishing tackle, sunscreen, insect repellent, and all specialty food items. Provisioning on the island is limited to basic groceries.
If you’re anchoring, carry enough supplies for several extra days in case weather delays your departure. There are no dive shops or chandleries on the island.
The Lighthouse Still Stands Watch
Bird Rock Lighthouse was built to guide mariners through the Crooked Island Passage, and it still does — even abandoned, even weathered, even without a keeper. That’s the kind of thing that sticks with you after you leave Pittstown Point: a place that hasn’t been optimized, packaged, or simplified for tourism. The lighthouse stands, the bonefish tail, the beach stays empty until you walk it. If that sounds like your kind of quiet, the crystal-clear waters of Little Stirrup Cay offer a different kind of seclusion worth adding to your Bahamas itinerary.
References
Sail Abacos. “Pittstown Point Anchorage.” Sail Abacos, 2025. ↗
Sail Abacos. “Crooked Island.” Sail Abacos, 2025. ↗
If Crooked Island’s blend of lighthouse history and off-grid coastlines appeals to you, our guides to Harbour Island’s pink sand beaches and Love Beach’s oceanfront dining offer two completely different Bahamas experiences — one polished, one wild — depending on what your family needs from a trip. And if you’re planning a longer island-hopping route, our guide to authentic Bahamian cuisine beyond the fish fry will help you eat well along the way.
Explore Places to Stay in the Bahamas
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