Cat Island is the purrfect R&R stop while cruising the Out Islands of the Bahamas. This laid-back, largely undeveloped island offers a less-traveled alternative to neighboring Eleuthera and Great Exuma. Cruisers seeking private time can find pristine beaches and leisurely fun in turquoise waters.
Things to Do
Cat Island takes its name from Arthur Catt, an 18th-century pirate and contemporary of Blackbeard. He is thought to have buried his loot on the island. Today, the greatest treasure is the picturesque beaches that stretch mostly along the western coast of this 48-mile-long island. Powder-soft sand at Pigeon Cay anchors the northern end. Heading south, families often prefer the crescent beach at Fernandez Bay, in a protected cove, for its calm, crystal-clear waters. The white-sand Old Bight Beach stretches for 5 miles.
There are plenty of options for fun on the water. Head to Ocean Beach on the eastern shore to surf, paddleboard, kayak and snorkel. At the island’s southeast corner, the 8-mile, pink-sand Greenwood Beach is a prime kitesurfing spot and a top launch point for scuba divers to explore Dry Heads reef, First Basin Wall and other sites. Cat Island also attracts fishermen eager to land blue marlin, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, bonefish and more.
For a fantastic view of the island, hike up Mount Alvernia (also known locally as Como Hill) to see the ruins of the Hermitage, a small monastery built in 1939. It’s the highest point in the Bahamas, at 206 feet, and well worth the hike up for its stunning 360-degree views.
Food and Drink
The New Bight Fish Fry is a social and culinary magnet on Cat Island. The scratch cooking at Hidden Treasure has made the seafood restaurant anything but its name, as customers flock in for jerk mahi, conch and lobster dishes, and fresh fruit daiquiris.
The restaurant at Hawk’s Nest Resort & Marina is a solid choice for Bahamian comfort food. Deliciously sweet Bahamian bread features in the French toast and the grilled cheese. For the evening meal, customers are requested to reserve their choice by 3 p.m. to guarantee availability.
Similarly, Shannas Cove Resort, at the island’s northern end, serves breakfast, lunch and a three-course prix fixe dinner, which requires a reservation. Guests praise the mix of expertly made local and international dishes, and the large veranda with sweeping water views. Yardie’s Restaurant, Bar & Conch Stand is a reliable stop for conch fritters and cracked conch paired with a cold local beer. Da Smoke Pot, in Arthur’s Town, is a popular spot for seafood and Caribbean fare, and Bahamian rake-and-scrape music, which has its roots on Cat Island and is celebrated on the island with an annual music festival.
