Long Island

Introduction

Long Island is an island in the Bahamas that is split by the Tropic of Cancer. Its capital is Clarence Town. Long Island is one of the Districts of the Bahamas and is known as the most scenic island in the Bahamas. The population is 3,094 inhabitants.

Geography

Long Island is about 130 kilometers long and 6 kilometres wide at its widest point. The land area is 596 km2. Long Island is situated about 265 kilometres southeast of the Bahamian capital of Nassau, which is located on the island of New Providence. The Tropic of Cancer runs through the northern quarter of the island.

The northeast side of Long Island is noted for its steep rocky headlands, while the southwest coast is noted for its broad white beaches with soft sand. The terrain ranges widely throughout the island, including white flat expanses from which salt is extracted, swamplands, beaches, and sloping (in the north) and low (in the south) hills.

Long Island is particularly noted for its caves, which have played a major role in the island's history. Dean's Blue Hole, located west of Clarence Town, is the world's second deepest underwater sinkhole, dropping to a depth of about 200 metres, making it more than double the depth of most other large holes.

Long Island is surrounded by small bays and inlets, including the large New Found Harbor west of Deadman's Cay, at approximately the midsection of the island. There are also smaller islands off-shore, including Sandy Cay.

Cities

• Clarence Town

Sights and Activities

Dive Dean's Blue Hole.

Weather

Long Island has a pleasantly warm but humid climate. Compared to Caribbean islands more to the south, there are some differences regarding temperatures, mainly because it is somewhat colder during the wintermonths of November to April. Generally though, temperatures are high, with summer maximum temperatures averaging around 30 °C and minimum temperatures around 24 °C. During the wintermonths temperatures are about 5 °C lower. The rainy season lasts from May to October, with September and October being the wettest months. This is also the time (especially from August to October) when hurricanes are a possibility.

Getting There

By Plane

Deadman's Cay Airport and Stella Maris Airport offer flights to/from Nassau.

Getting Around

One main road, originally designed for carriages, runs from Cape Santa Maria, at the northern tip of Long Island, to the southern tip at Gordon's. Transport on Long Island is road-based, with limited taxi service available, particularly from Stella Maris to Deadman's Cay and Clarence Town.

Eat

• Gary's Conch Bar.

Sleep

• Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort, ☎ +1 800 663-7090, e-mail: [email protected] $235-$795.
• Stella Maris Resort, ☎ +1 242 338-2051, fax: +1 242 338-2052. $125-$545.

External Links