Accommodation

Out Islands: Accommodation

The Bahamas' Out Islands, everything beyond Nassau, Paradise Island, and Freeport, offer a fundamentally different accommodation experience from the mega-resorts of New Providence. Here, the landscape is dominated by small lodges, fishing camps, eco-conscious resorts, owner-operated guesthouses, and boutique condo-hotels. Properties often have fewer than 30 rooms, staff know guests by name, and the surrounding reef, flat, or forest is the main attraction.

The tradeoff is real: amenities are simpler, meal options may be limited to what the property serves, and logistics require more advance planning. But for travelers seeking quiet, authentic Bahamian character, and direct access to some of the world's best bonefishing, diving, and nature, Out Island accommodation delivers something the Nassau strip cannot.

Cat Island

Cat Island's accommodation runs to family-owned inns and beach clubs rather than large resorts, which suits the island's unhurried character. Rates here run about $100 to $400 per night, compared to Nassau's typical $350 to $750, and the island receives only about 10,000 to 20,000 visitors annually, which means beaches and flats that would be crowded elsewhere are almost always empty. Fernandez Bay Village offers beachfront cottages at $245 to $325 per night. Greenwood Beach Resort operates at about 80% capacity from December through March with rates of $275 to $350 per night, making advance booking during that window essential. Shanna's Cove Resort is a more affordable option at $125 to $145 per night. Rollezz Villas Beach Resort is another Cat Island property worth considering for visitors who want villa-style accommodation. Locally owned beachfront cottages run $120 to $175 per night. Hawks Nest Resort & Marina sits just 100 yards from an 800-foot ocean drop-off and offers direct airstrip access-the runway sits only 300 feet from accommodations. The property operates a shark feeding dock and functions as both lodge and diving hub. Arthur's Town Airport serves the northern end of the island; New Bight Airport near Mt. Alvernia handles both domestic and international arrivals in the south. Bahamasair operates about five daily flights from Nassau to New Bight, with a round-trip fare of about $225 and a flight time of 35 to 45 minutes, though these figures should be verified before booking as schedules and prices change. Western Air operates 40-minute hopper flights from Nassau to Cat Island, and smaller carriers like Makers Air fly from Florida. Car rentals run $60 to $75 per day, and 4x4 vehicles are recommended given road conditions away from the main settlements.

For dining near Cat Island properties, see Out Islands Food & Drink.

Exumas and Cays

The Exuma chain punches well above its size in accommodation appeal, anchored by properties that put guests within easy reach of the Thunderball Grotto, Big Major Cay's swimming pigs, and a series of shallow sandbars and snorkeling sites. Staniel Cay Yacht Club, established in 1956, is the classic entry point: brightly colored waterfront bungalows sit directly beside the marina, and nearly everything worth seeing in the central Exumas is accessible by boat from the dock. Accommodation here is reachable by boat or golf cart, which sets the tone for how the whole island operates.

Abaco: Green Turtle Cay

Bluff House Beach Resort and Marina sits on Green Turtle Cay between White Sound and the Sea of Abaco. The property functions as a historic retreat with marina access, positioning it well for boaters making their way through the Abacos. Like most Abaco cay accommodation, it is accessible by water taxi from the mainland rather than by road. See Out Islands Getting Around for ferry and water taxi logistics.

The Abaco Inn on Elbow Cay in Hope Town runs $413 per night including taxes and fees.

Harbour Island

Pink Sands Resort on Harbour Island is one of the most recognized boutique properties in the Bahamas, built around the island's famous pink-tinged beach. Harbour Island sits at the higher end of the Out Island price spectrum, and Pink Sands reflects that. Accommodation here is reached by water taxi from North Eleuthera, not by direct flight.

Valentines Resort & Marina operates the largest marina on Harbour Island, accommodating yachts up to 200 feet. Rates are $679 per night including taxes and fees.

Bimini

Bimini Big Game Club in Alice Town is the anchor property on North Bimini, with a long history tied to sportfishing. Bimini's proximity to South Florida, about 50 miles, makes it one of the more accessible Out Island destinations and one of the busier ones as a result.

Acklins and Crooked Island

These paired southern islands are serious bonefishing territory, and accommodation reflects that. Lodges here typically include personal fishing guides as part of their packages, a model suited to guests who have traveled specifically for the flats. Bed and breakfast operations also exist for non-fishing visitors. Spring Point Airport connects Acklins to Crooked Island and Nassau; Colonel Hill Airport on Crooked Island and Pitts Town Point Airport provide additional access.

Berry Islands

The Berry Islands offer a range of accommodation from charming guesthouses and intimate hotels to more upscale options on the main inhabited islands. Great Harbour Cay and Chub Cay are the centers of activity. Little Whale Cay is privately owned but available for rent to guests. Chub Cay International Airport sits about 45 minutes by plane from South Florida; Great Harbour Cay Airport handles domestic flights via Nassau.

The Osprey, a Bahamian-owned resort on Great Harbour Cay, sits on three beachfront acres with 400 feet of white sand; the adjacent beach stretches five miles. Manatee Villa measures about 2,000 square feet, while Osprey Cottage measures about 1,000 square feet. Wild Dilly's offers Oceanview and Gardenview suites that can be combined into a cottage. Breakfast for two, airport transfers, kayaks, and paddleboards are included. Selected cottages and villas come with a golf cart; refueling carries a charge. The resort arranges excursions to Shark Creek mangroves and a blue hole on Hoffman's Cay. Access is via Nassau by scheduled or private charter; Makers Air provides regular charter flights from South Florida.

San Salvador

San Salvador offers island-style lodging ranging from all-inclusive luxury villas to furnished beachfront cottages, with about 50 dive sites making it one of the Bahamas' top destinations for serious divers. San Salvador Airport is the island's only airport and handles both international and domestic arrivals.

Inagua

Inagua's accommodation skews strongly toward eco-friendly properties suited to birdwatchers and ecotourists. Inagua National Park covers nearly half of Great Inagua, making it the defining feature of any visit. The accommodation stock here is small and basic by design. Inagua International Airport in Matthew Town serves domestic routes to Nassau and Mayaguana.

Mayaguana

Mayaguana is the most isolated and least developed island in the Bahamas, and its accommodation reflects that: rustic, quaint, and genuinely off‑grid in character. Mayaguana Airport near Abraham's Bay has regularly scheduled service to Nassau. Visitors who want genuine remoteness will find it here.

Marina and Dock‑and‑Stay Options

Several Out Island marinas now offer dock‑and‑stay credits that effectively bundle accommodation with berth fees. A $300 Dock & Stay Credit applies to pre‑booked stays of four nights or more at member marinas as of 2026. Verify eligibility and current terms before booking.

Verify current slip availability and rates directly with each marina before arrival.

What to Expect vs. Nassau Resorts

Out Island properties, even the more upscale ones, typically differ from Nassau and Paradise Island mega‑resorts in a few consistent ways:

• Meal plans are often necessary. Many properties are remote from restaurants; MAP (Modified American Plan, covering breakfast and dinner) or FAP (Full American Plan) packages are common and often the practical default.
• Advance planning matters more. Limited flights, ferry schedules, and rental car availability mean that Out Island stays reward early coordination. See Out Islands Getting Around for logistics detail on inter‑island travel.
• Minimum stays are common. Several boutique properties require three- to five-night minimums, particularly in fishing camp and eco‑resort categories.
• Weather and seasonality affect operations. Hurricane season runs June through November. Some smaller properties close or operate on reduced schedules during the quietest summer months.

Seasonal Promotions

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) runs coordinated summer campaigns that bundle promotional offers from participating properties across the archipelago. The 2026 summer campaign (May through August) includes tiered savings across resort and Out Island partners, promoted in six languages. The ministry has also integrated an AI travel planning tool called Mindtrip to assist with itinerary building.

Promotional packages from government campaigns tend to be time‑limited and subject to blackout dates. Always verify offer terms, minimum stay requirements, and expiry dates directly with the property.

Related Articles

• Out Islands, Destination context for the Out Islands
• Out Islands Experiences, What to do across the Out Islands, including water excursions
• Out Islands Getting Around, Inter‑island logistics, ferries, and air taxis
• Out Islands Getting There, Flights and entry points for Out Island travel
• Out Islands Food & Drink, Dining options across the Out Islands
• Out Islands Budget, Budget planning for Out Island travel