 Long Island -
Located southeast of the Exuma Cays,
this 76-mile long island is an unspoiled, tranquil, and scenic hideaway
divided by the Tropic of Cancer and bordered by two strikingly
different coast lines, one with powder white beaches and the
other, rocky headlands that descend suddenly into the sea.
Its interesting caves, gorgeous bays, towering cliffs and rolling
hills are in direct contrast with the more tropical landscape and
coast lines found elsewhere in The Bahamas.
The area has truly stunning beaches
and, in fact, Cape Santa Maria has one of the worlds top ten
beaches. Columbus Point, located 1/2 mile north of the primary
beach resort in Cape Santa Maria, offers a tremendous view of the
protected harbor Columbus sailed into as well as a monument and
plaque commemorating his landing. Stella Maris, which means Star
of the Sea, is another primary resort area on Long Island. Stella Maris is a famous meeting
place for sports fishermen and scuba divers.
It is located 12 miles south of
Cape Santa Maria. Visitors headed to either Cape Santa Maria or
Stella Maris should fly into the Stella Maris International
Airport.
 Long Island's biggest event is the
annual Long Island Sailing Regatta, featuring Bahamian made boats.
It is held in Salt Pond in May or June and attracts contestants
from all over the Islands of the Bahamas.
Loyalists from Carolina settled
here in 1790 with their slaves.
They built vast plantations, which
thrived briefly growing sea-island cotton, but the abolition of
slavery made them unprofitable.
Today many of the Loyalist mansions
stand in skeletal form etched against the sky. Although the
plantations are no more, agriculture is still very much a part of
the life here. Many Long Islanders engage in pot-hole farming,
which involves planting in fertile holes in the limestone where
good top soil collects.
From these an abundance of peas,
corn, pineapples and bananas are grown. Raising sheep, goats and
pigs also provides a living for the inhabitants. Long Island is famous for its local fisherman who are divers and go to sea for week long trips to spear spiny lobster and fish. Fresh seafood is readily available at very reasonable prices.
N.B., The photos and much of
the information on Long Island has been supplied by Sunshine
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