Cat Island: Pink-Sand Beaches, Blue Holes and Wild Yacht Cruising in The Bahamas

Cat Island is one of the great wilderness destinations of the Southern Out Islands, a long, sparsely populated island of pink-tinged beaches, rolling hills, blue holes and remarkably clear water. Far removed from the busier cruising grounds of Nassau and the Exumas, Cat Island offers a yacht charter experience defined by quiet anchorages, traditional settlements and stretches of coastline where it is still easy to find an entire beach to yourself.

The island's most famous landmark is Mount Alvernia, which rises 206 feet above sea level and is the highest point anywhere in The Bahamas. At its summit stands The Hermitage, a small stone monastery built by Father Jerome in 1939. From the top, sweeping views extend across the island and surrounding sea, making the climb one of the essential shore excursions on a Cat Island yacht charter.

Cat Island is also an excellent destination for guests who want to spend most of their charter outdoors. Snorkeling, diving, fishing, kayaking and beach exploration can fill entire days, while settlements such as New Bight, Old Bight, Fernandez Bay and Port Howe provide access to different sections of the island. The western coastline is generally the primary cruising side, allowing yachts to move between anchorages while exploring Cat Island at a relaxed pace.

Most yacht cruising around Cat Island takes place along the western coast facing Exuma Sound. The island has relatively few fully protected natural harbours, and many of its best stops are open roadstead anchorages behind long sandy beaches. The eastern coastline is considerably more exposed to Atlantic conditions and is less suitable for routine yacht cruising. Captains should therefore plan passages around wind direction, swell and the availability of suitable shelter along the west coast.

New Bight, Old Bight and Fernandez Bay are among the principal stopping points for yachts exploring the central and southern coastline. The approaches are generally straightforward in good visibility, but reefs, shallow patches and changing depths remain common throughout the Bahamas. Good daylight, current charts and careful depth monitoring are especially useful when approaching unfamiliar anchorages or exploring closer to shore by tender.

New Bight is one of the most useful anchorages on Cat Island and acts as a natural cruising center for the island. The anchorage generally offers around six to seven feet of water with good holding in sand, and shore access is available near the government dock. Mount Alvernia is easily reached from here, making New Bight particularly convenient for yachts planning to visit The Hermitage. Protection is best from northwest through east-southeast, while the anchorage remains exposed when conditions arrive from the west and southwest.

Fernandez Bay and Old Bight provide additional options farther along the western coast. Fernandez Bay offers approximately seven to eleven feet of water, good sandy holding and reasonable protection from northeasterly through southeasterly winds, although it becomes uncomfortable in strong westerly conditions. Old Bight offers roughly eight to twelve feet with excellent holding in clear sand and good protection from northeast through southeast. Because Cat Island lacks many all-weather harbours, yachts should be prepared to move when wind direction changes.

Cat Island stretches for roughly 50 miles and remains one of the quieter major islands in The Bahamas. Small communities are scattered along its length, linked by roads that pass beaches, historic ruins and traditional settlements. The island is also associated with rake-and-scrape music and a strong Out Island culture that remains much more visible here than in the country's larger tourism centers.

The combination of long beaches, excellent fishing, diving and very limited development gives Cat Island enormous appeal for yacht charter guests seeking privacy. It is also well positioned for longer Southern Out Islands itineraries, with Conception Island, Long Island and Rum Cay all providing natural onward cruising possibilities.