Stella Maris Resort Club sits on a hilltop overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on Long Island, Bahamas, with four swimming pools, a private beach area, and two on-site restaurants.
From the hilltop perch of Stella Maris Resort Club, the Atlantic stretches out in every direction. Long Island is one of the Bahamas’ quieter Out Islands, and this property sits at its northern end, offering a mix of laid-back comfort and access to the sea. With a 7.6 overall guest rating from 21 reviews, it’s a solid mid-range option worth a closer look. This article covers what to expect from a stay here — the rooms, the activities, the dining, and the logistics — so you can decide if it fits your next Bahamas trip.
Stella Maris Resort Club delivers a straightforward Out Island experience with enough on-site amenities — four pools, two restaurants, a private beach — to keep a family busy for several days. It’s not a high-luxury property; think comfortable and casual rather than polished. The variety of cottage and villa layouts makes it practical for groups, and the free snorkeling and diving access add real adventure value. Caveat: Long Island requires a connecting flight from Nassau, so factor in travel time and limited off-site dining options.
Families
Divers & Snorkelers
Out Island First-Timers
| Spot | Best For | Standout Feature | Time Needed | Key Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stella Maris Resort Club | Families & groups | Hilltop ocean views + 4 pools | 3–5 nights | Book a cottage with kitchenette for longer stays |
| Private Beach & Snorkeling Area | Snorkelers & divers | Free on-site snorkeling gear access | 1–2 hours per session | Go early morning for the calmest water |
| Moonshine Beach Bar & Restaurant | Casual dining | Beachside lunch setting | 1–1.5 hours | Check dinner hours at the main restaurant — they shift seasonally |
Hilltop Accommodation with Room to Spread Out
The resort’s layout is its biggest asset — you’re not stuck in a single hotel building.
The standard guest rooms work for couples or solo travellers, but the cottages and houses give you more flexibility. Options range from two-bedroom cottages up to a four-bedroom house and a three-bedroom villa with its own private pool. Each cottage includes a kitchenette corner, which reviewers have called “convenient” — useful for families who want to prepare some meals themselves. Michael and I liked that the cottage layout gave us separate space from the kids without needing separate rooms. If you’re packing for a cottage stay, the Samsonite Omni 2 hardside 3-piece set gives you the luggage capacity to bring snacks, gear, and clothing for the whole family without checking multiple bags.
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Check-in starts at 3:00 PM and check-out is at 11:00 AM. Children of all ages are welcome, though those 12 and over are charged as adults — something to factor into your booking. Cribs and extra beds aren’t available, so the cottage or villa options with multiple bedrooms are the practical choice for families. If you’re comparing this property with other Out Island resorts, it’s worth reading about creating your own authentic Bahamian experience beyond the all-inclusive model — Stella Maris fits that independent-travel style well.
Four Pools, Private Beach & Water Adventures
The resort’s activity lineup punches above its size.
The variety of pools means you can usually find a quiet one even when the resort feels busy. The private beach is more about convenience than sprawling sand — it’s a manageable stretch where you can snorkel right from the shore without needing a boat. For dedicated divers, the resort’s diving programme opens up offshore sites around Long Island. If underwater exploration is your main draw, the blue holes of the Abacos offer a different kind of diving experience worth comparing against what Long Island provides.
Ask at reception about the free snorkeling gear availability — it’s included in your stay, but quantities can be limited during peak weeks.
Fishing trips and pool table games round out the on-site activities. The playground is small but gave Ethan enough to do between swims. For a change of pace, you could also bring a compact drone to capture the hilltop layout from above — the DJI Mini 4K is lightweight, under 249g (no FAA registration needed for recreational use under 250g), and its 4K camera with a 3-axis gimbal produces stable footage even in coastal breezes.
One limitation: the resort’s beach is nice for a quick dip and snorkel, but if you want a long, walkable stretch of sand, you’ll need to explore farther south on the island. The resort is best treated as a base, not a one-stop destination.
Dining, Sunset Drinks & On-Site Convenience
Two restaurants cover the meal spectrum, with a few quirks to plan around.
Having two dining options on site is practical given the resort’s somewhat isolated location on northern Long Island. The main restaurant’s dinner service is family-friendly, which made evenings easy with Lily and Ethan — no need for a separate kids’ menu hunt. Dietary options are clearly labelled, so gluten-free or dairy-free travellers won’t feel stuck. The Moonshine Beach Bar is the lunch spot, and its beachside setting makes it the natural place for a midday break between pool sessions or snorkeling.
Dinner hours at the main restaurant can shift seasonally, and the resort accepts cash only on site — neither an ATM nor card payments are options, so bring enough Bahamian dollars or US dollars for the full stay.
The free WiFi earned a perfect 10.0 score from recent guests, which is unusual for an Out Island property — upload those snorkel photos without frustration. Guest reviews have been generally positive, with staff hospitality often highlighted as a standout — one guest noted they received a free upgrade to a larger cottage, which suggests the team works to accommodate when availability allows. If you do venture out on the island, the local food scene is low-key but worth exploring, though it’s a different experience from the conch-focused food culture you’ll find in Nassau.
Practical Tips for Your Long Island Trip
Getting to Long Island
Long Island is reachable by a connecting flight from Nassau. Several regional carriers service the island, and Stella Maris Resort Club is roughly a 15-minute drive from the airport. Renting a car through the resort or at the airport is advisable — the property sits on a hilltop and you’ll want transport for exploring beyond the resort grounds. Free parking is included on site. If you’re still weighing which part of Long Island best suits your group, this interactive map of the island’s hotels and rentals lets you compare locations against the beach and the airport.
Choosing Your Room Type
| Room Type | Best For | Kitchen | Private Pool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Room | Couples, solo travellers | Refrigerator + coffee facilities | No |
| 2-Bedroom Cottage | Small families | Kitchenette | No |
| 3-Bedroom Villa | Groups, extended families | Full kitchen (likely) | Yes |
| 4-Bedroom House | Large groups | Full kitchen (likely) | No |
The hilltop position of the resort gives excellent ocean views, but properties closer to the island’s southern beaches offer longer stretches of sand. Consider how much time you plan to spend on site versus exploring when choosing your base.
Best Time to Visit
The high season in the Bahamas runs from December through April, when weather is driest and temperatures sit in the mid-70s to low-80s °F. Late summer and early fall (August–October) bring higher humidity and a greater chance of tropical weather, but also lower rates and fewer crowds. If you plan to dive or snorkel, the water is warmest from June through October, though visibility can vary after storm systems pass.
Long Island is less developed than Nassau or Freeport, so don’t expect a wide range of restaurants or shops outside the resort. Stock up on any essentials — sunscreen, snacks, insect repellent — before you leave Nassau.
For budget-conscious travellers, the independent style of a stay at Stella Maris aligns well with the approach covered in our guide to enjoying the Bahamas without overspending — the kitchenette and cottage setup let you control meal costs significantly.
Before You Go: Stella Maris & Long Island Questions Answered
Is Stella Maris Resort Club suitable for young children?
Yes — children of all ages are welcome, and the resort has a playground and four pools that work well for different ages. The family-friendly restaurant atmosphere and cottage layouts with separate bedrooms make it practical for families. Just note that kids 12 and over are charged as adults, and cribs or extra beds aren’t available.
Can I dive or snorkel directly from the resort?
Yes — the resort has a private beach area where guests can snorkel directly from shore. Free snorkeling gear is typically available, and the resort also offers diving excursions. The water access is convenient for a casual session, though serious divers may want to arrange boat trips to offshore sites through the resort’s dive programme.
What should I pack for a stay at Stella Maris?
Pack for warm weather year-round — light clothing, swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, and insect repellent are essentials. The resort accepts cash only, so bring enough for the full stay. A compact camera like the DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo with its vertical shooting mode and extended flight time from three batteries is ideal for capturing both the hilltop views and the beach from above without adding much weight to your luggage.
How do I reach Long Island from Nassau?
Long Island is served by regional carriers with connecting flights from Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport. The flight is roughly 45 minutes. From the Long Island airport, Stella Maris Resort Club is about a 15-minute drive. Renting a car is recommended for flexibility during your stay.
Is the resort worth it for non-divers?
Yes — the four pools, private beach, pool table, playground, and two restaurants provide enough variety for a 3–5 night stay. The resort’s hilltop setting and ocean views are the main draw, and you can explore more of Long Island if you rent a car. The main limitation is the isolated location: you’ll rely on the resort’s amenities unless you drive elsewhere.
Hilltop Calm, Saltwater Access
Stella Maris Resort Club doesn’t try to be something it’s not — it’s a straightforward Out Island property that gives you room to spread out, pools to rotate through, and direct access to the sea without a schedule. The cottage setup, the free snorkeling, and the family-friendly dining made it work for our group in a way that a tighter hotel layout wouldn’t have. If you’re looking for a base on Long Island that balances comfort with independence, it’s a solid choice worth weighing against other options in the region — including what Great Stirrup Cay offers for a completely different Bahamas experience.
References
Booking.com. “Stella Maris Resort Club, Stella Maris.” ↗
Island Hopper Guides. “Beyond the All-Inclusives: Creating Your Authentic Bahamian Experience.” ↗
Island Hopper Guides. “Luxury on a Budget: Experiencing Paradise in the Bahamas Without Breaking the Bank.” ↗
If Long Island’s relaxed pace and independent-travel style appeal to you, you might also enjoy our guide to exploring the Bahamas beyond Nassau, which covers other Out Island options with similar character. For photographers, capturing the Exumas through a lens offers a different visual take on Bahamian island scenery, and a local’s guide to authentic Nassau experiences rounds out the cultural side if you’re passing through the capital.
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.