Experiences

Long Island punches well above its weight for a quiet Bahamian island. The two experiences that define it are diving Dean's Blue Hole and connecting with locals through the People-to-People programme. Everything else is a bonus.

Dean's Blue Hole

Dean's Blue Hole is the second deepest blue hole in the world, dropping to about 202 metres in a sheltered bay on the island's eastern coast. The setting is striking: a narrow beach curves around a pool that shifts from turquoise at the edges to a deep, unsettling blue at the centre as the bottom falls away. Freedivers come from around the world to train here, and the site hosts international freediving competitions.

Snorkellers and casual swimmers can enjoy the shallower rim. You do not need to be a serious diver to appreciate the place, though the blue hole itself rewards anyone willing to get in the water.

People-to-People Programme

The Bahamas Tourism People-to-People programme matches visitors with Bahamian volunteers for one‑on‑one cultural experiences. On Long Island, this can mean access to beaches and corners of the island that most travellers never reach. The quality of the experience depends almost entirely on your match, but the programme has a genuine reputation for opening doors that paid tours cannot. Check current availability and how to register before you arrive, as logistics and scheduling change.

Secluded Beaches

Long Island has stretches of beach that see almost no foot traffic. The west coast faces the calm, shallow banks and tends toward warm, flat water; the east coast faces the Atlantic and offers more dramatic surf and empty shoreline. Getting to the best spots usually requires a car. See Long Island Food & Drink for notes on where to base yourself between beach days.

Bonefishing

Long Island is part of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism's annual Bonefishing Tournament Series, which runs September through November across Andros, Long Island, and Exuma. The Long Island event is held at Stella Maris Resort Club. The tournament is catch‑and‑release, targeting bonefish, tarpon, and permit, with each two‑angler team fishing alongside a licensed Bahamian guide. The series offers over $100,000 in cash and prizes, including curated fishing expeditions, premium angling equipment, and Bahamian artwork, plus a GOAT Award for any team that lands a Grand Slam in a single day. Long Island's shallow‑water ecosystems rank among the world's most productive flats for this type of fishing.

Long Island as a Base for Ragged Island

Most visitors to Ragged Island do not stay there. They base themselves on Long Island and reach Ragged Island by day‑trip, either by boat or charter flight.