The gentle hiss of casuarina pines in the trade winds is the first thing you notice at Fernandez Bay. The sound matches the water – so calm it looks more like a natural infinity pool than a beach on the Atlantic side of Cat Island. This guide covers five top things to do in and around Fernandez Bay, from floating in the bay’s waveless water to climbing the Bahamas’ highest point. Whether you’re staying at Fernandez Bay Village or visiting for a day, these experiences capture what makes this corner of Cat Island special.
Fernandez Bay Beach curves in a gentle crescent along Cat Island’s protected western shore – one of the most tranquil resort beaches in the Bahamas.
Fernandez Bay is not a snorkeling hotspot, but it’s one of the best places in the Bahamas to simply float and unwind. The real adventures lie in the mangroves and the hill behind the beach – plan for both.
Families
Couples
Solo travelers
| Activity | Best For | Highlight | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fernandez Bay Beach | Families, Floaters | Calm, waveless water under casuarina shade | Contact Fernandez Bay Village for lunch reservations if visiting as a day guest |
| Mangrove Creek Paddle | Kayakers, Wildlife lovers | Electric-blue water with baby sharks and sea turtles | Bring your own paddleboard or use the resort’s |
| The Hermitage | Hikers, History buffs | Highest point in the Bahamas – 206-foot climb | Combine with a morning on the beach |
| Old Bight Beach | Solitude seekers | Often empty; only sound of wind and waves | No facilities – bring your own water and snacks |
| Regatta Site Dining | Foodies, Adventurous eaters | Beachside shacks serving authentic Bahamian food | Ask what’s available – the menu is a guideline |
1. Fernandez Bay Beach – Float in the Calmest Water on Cat Island
The first thing you notice is the sound – a soft hiss as trade winds move through the casuarina pines lining Fernandez Bay. The beach itself curves in a gentle crescent of fine white sand, sheltered from ocean swells by Cat Island’s western shore. The water is so waveless it resembles a pond, making it ideal for families with small children and elderly swimmers. Kayaks and paddleboards glide easily across the surface, and the gentle slope means you can wade out without worrying about hidden rocks.
Snorkeling is a secondary draw here – marine life is less abundant than on Atlantic-side reefs, but the ironshore areas at the bay’s ends offer the most interesting exploration, with tide pools and small crevices. The casuarinas provide natural shade along the shoreline, and the feathery needles create that characteristic hiss. For day visitors, the beach itself is public, but the adjacent Fernandez Bay Village is private. The resort may allow lunch reservations that include beach access – contact them ahead of time to check availability.
Fernandez Bay Beach – Contact the resort in advance about lunch reservations for day-use beach access. You’ll also want to bring your own towel and umbrella since public facilities are limited.
2. Mangrove Creek Paddle – Baby Sharks and Electric-Blue Water
Where can you find baby sharks and sea turtles without fighting a current? Immediately southeast of Fernandez Bay, a small network of mangrove creeks winds through the shoreline. The water here is sandy-bottomed and electric blue – not the murky brown you might expect from mangroves. It’s a haven for juvenile fish, baby sharks, and sea turtles, all visible from a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. The southern outlet leads to empty sandy beaches where you can land and explore.
The water-toy collection at Fernandez Bay Village is a little worn but functional, so you can borrow a kayak or paddleboard. If you’re an avid paddler, bring your own gear for a more comfortable experience. The creek is protected from the east wind that often blows across the island, so conditions are calm even when the Atlantic side is rough. Many sea turtles have been spotted here, though they rarely stay still long enough for a photo. Baby sharks are even faster – you’ll likely just see their shadows darting below.
3. The Hermitage – Climb the Highest Point in the Bahamas
The highest point in the Bahamas isn’t a mountain range – it’s a 206-foot hill on Cat Island, crowned by a stone hermitage built single-handedly by Father Jerome in the 1930s. Mount Alvernia rises directly behind Fernandez Bay, and the climb to the Hermitage is a must-do during any visit. The trail is steep but short, and the reward is a panoramic view of the entire island and the surrounding sea.
Highest point in the Bahamas – Mount Alvernia
The Hermitage itself is a small stone structure with a chapel, cloister, and bell tower, all built by Father Jerome using local stone and mortar. It’s an iconic site on Cat Island, and most visitors combine a morning on the beach with an afternoon climb. Fernandez Bay Village provides the most convenient accommodation base for both. Mount Alvernia’s ridge dominates the inland view from the beach, so you’ll see it the moment you arrive. Plan for an hour or so for the climb and exploration.
The Hermitage – Do this in the late afternoon when the sun is lower. The climb is short but steep, and the shade from the casuarinas on the way up is minimal.
4. Old Bight Beach – Empty Solitude on a Pink-Sand Shore
Turn right off Queen’s Highway, pass the old cemetery, then the service station, and you’ll find a beach that often has no one else on it. Old Bight Beach is a required stop on every trip to Cat Island for those who know it. Behind a fringe of casuarina pines, a small resort and a handful of houses sit in various stages of completion, but the beach itself is usually deserted. You can park along the sand track, drop your stuff without worry, and walk or swim with only the sound of wind through the pines and wavelets on the sand.
This is a beach for solitude, not amenities. There are no shops, no chair rentals, no lifeguards. The sand is pinkish, like many Atlantic-side beaches on Cat Island, and the water can be a bit more active than Fernandez Bay. But if you want a stretch of shoreline all to yourself, this is it. Seldom a single person other than you – that’s the appeal.
Old Bight Beach – Bring water, snacks, and a hat. There are no facilities, and the nearest store is back in New Bight.
5. Regatta Site Dining – Beachside Shacks with the Best Bahamian Food
The best conch fritters on Cat Island aren’t served at a restaurant – they’re at a weathered shack at the regatta site between Old Bight and New Bight. This waterside area is home base for the Cat Island Regatta near Emancipation Day on August 1, but year-round a handful of food shacks and bars line the beach. Blue Waters and Hidden Treasures are two of the regulars, serving classic Bahamian dishes: fish and conch in a multitude of preparations, plus cold Sands beer when it’s on offer.
These are one-person operations. The cook is often the only staff, so a group of six or eight arriving at once can overwhelm the kitchen. The ritual: greet the cook, have a brief chat (required if it’s not too busy), then ask what’s available rather than ordering off the menu – the menu is merely a guideline. Be prepared for a leisurely lunch; it can last an hour or more, but the food is fantastic: solid, authentic, nothing like you can get at home. The furniture is mismatched, the deck looks rickety, but the beachside setting is beautiful.
Regatta Site dining – If you’re in a hurry, this isn’t the place. The cook works alone, so patience is part of the experience. Order a beer and enjoy the view while you wait.
Getting to Cat Island and Getting Around
Flying In
Cat Island is served by New Bight Airport (TBI). Western Air is the only commuter airline offering service from Nassau (NAS), but it does not operate on Tuesdays or Saturdays as of the latest schedule. Flights are infrequent and the timing often requires an overnight stay in Nassau both inbound and outbound. Maker’s Air offers private charters from Fort Lauderdale (FXE) for roughly $1,000 per person, but the afternoon return arrives too late for same-day connections to most U.S. hubs, so you’ll likely need an overnight in Fort Lauderdale on the return.
Getting Around
Cat Island is about 50 miles long, and you’ll need a car to explore beyond bicycle distance. Rental cars are limited – book well in advance. Vernon from Alvernia Car Rentals provides airport pickup service and is a reliable option. The main road, Queen’s Highway, has been repaved in several spots, but many side roads are rough limestone tracks. A low-clearance car will limit your ability to reach beaches like Shanna’s Cove; a jeep-like vehicle is better if you want to explore the island’s wilder corners.
Where to Stay
Fernandez Bay Village is the most convenient base, with cottages and rooms built of coral stone, thatched roofs, and an honor bar that fosters a social atmosphere. Each room has an assigned palapa on the beach. For a different experience, Shanna’s Cove near the northern tip offers great pizza and access to spectacular Port Royal beach, though the road in is challenging.
- Fly into New Bight (TBI) – Western Air from Nassau, but avoid Tuesday/Saturday. Plan for an overnight in Nassau.
- Book a rental car in advance – Alvernia Car Rentals is a good choice. A jeep-style vehicle gives you more flexibility.
- Fernandez Bay Village is the most convenient place to stay, but day visitors can access the beach with a lunch reservation.
Before You Go to Fernandez Bay
How do I get to Fernandez Bay from Nassau?
Fly Western Air to New Bight Airport (TBI). The flight is short, but there are no departures on Tuesdays or Saturdays. From the airport, it’s about a 10-minute drive north. Fernandez Bay Village can arrange a transfer for guests.
Can I visit Fernandez Bay Beach as a day visitor?
Yes, the beach is public, but the adjacent resort is private. Contact Fernandez Bay Village ahead of time – they may offer lunch reservations that include beach access. Without a reservation, you’ll have no facilities and limited parking.
Is the beach safe for young children?
Absolutely. The water is waveless, the slope is gentle, and the white sand bottom is mostly free of rocks. It’s one of the calmest beaches in the Bahamas, perfect for toddlers and elderly swimmers.
What should I bring for a day trip?
Bring your own towel, sun protection, water, and snacks – there are no public facilities outside the resort. A hat and long-sleeved shirt help against the sun, and reef-safe sunscreen is recommended for the ironshore areas.
Closing
The effort it takes to reach Cat Island – the overnight in Nassau, the limited flights, the need for a rental car – is exactly what keeps Fernandez Bay as tranquil as it is. The hiss of casuarinas, the electric blue of the mangrove creek, the stone hermitage on the hill: these are rewards for travelers willing to go a step beyond the beaten path. For more Out Island escapes, see our guide to discovering the hidden beauty of Red Bays.
References
Sail Abacos. “Fernandez Bay Beach.” Sail Abacos, n.d. ↗
Sabre Calypso. “Back to Cat – Cat Island and Fernandez Bay Village, April 2026.” Sabre Calypso, 3 May 2026. ↗
If you enjoyed this guide, you might also like our tips for beach yoga at Ten Bay Beach or our exploration of Horseshoe Bay’s crystal-clear waters.
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