Escape the Crowds: The Unspoiled Beauty of the Out Islands

An archipelago of more than 700 islands scattered across the clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the Bahamas is an enchanting Caribbean paradise. With powdery white sand beaches, turquoise lagoons and vibrant marine life, the Bahamas annually attracts travelers yearning for an exotic escape. Unfortunately, many places have been overrun by mass tourism. Luckily, you can still find peace and quiet on the Out Islands.

The smaller islands, located a little farther away from the popular Grand Bahama and New Providence, make up the Out Islands. Here, the beauty of the Bahamas remains untouched, and the perfect beaches are still deserted. But that may not last long, as gems like these never stay hidden for long.

Big Major Spot, Bimini, Harbour Island, Stocking Island, Green Turtle Cay, and Norman's Cay—these are just a few of the exotic Out Islands. The islands were once writer Ernest Hemingway's favorite fishing spot; they were also the sailing capital of the world and once the headquarters of the world's largest drug lord.

Cat and Stocking Island

Walking the deserted beaches of Cat Island makes you feel like a shipwrecked Robinson Crusoe. Except for the boat that just dropped you off, there is nothing to indicate human civilization. These are the uninhabited islands of your dreams. The beaches seem as though they've been lifted straight out of a postcard.

Picture by https://www.caribjournal.com/

At Stocking Island, the sea lazily laps over the white, powdery sand. During Prohibition, the islets were an ideal base for bootleggers. The few residents of the Out Islands say that the waters here are as clear as the gin that was once distilled there.

Drug Baron of the Caribbean

Besides bootleggers, sailors, and Hemingway, the Out Islands of the Bahamas have attracted other colorful figures. American Carlos Lehder once ran a huge drug empire from Norman's Cay.

Using small planes, he flew tons of drugs to Florida in the 1970s and 1980s. Lehder became wealthy, but now he can only dream of his paradise on earth as he is serving a life sentence. The drug lord's life was depicted in the movie Blow, starring Johnny Depp.

Swimming Pigs

Paradise attracts strange inhabitants. On Big Major Spot Island lives a very special family. When you sail past this place, you'll suddenly see a group of pigs running from the beach into the ocean.

The pigs swim toward every boat that visits the island, hoping for some food. No one knows how the pigs ended up here, but the locals have been feeding the animals for years. After their swim, the pigs lounge on the beach, shaded by palm trees.

Best Time to Visit

The busiest time of year is in July, when the annual sailing regatta is held around Abaco. The rest of the year, the Bahamas' Out Islands are bathed in sunshine and unruffled tranquility.

What Else is There to Do on the Out Islands?

Stay overnight at one of the Out Islands' eco-resorts. Your own seaside cottage may be expensive, but the experience is priceless. Choose one of the bungalows perched on stilts in the sea and you can make your dream come true.
Go in search of the perfect beach. Stocking Island is a strong contender, but on the Out Islands, almost every beach is competing for the prize.
Explore the colonial history of the Bahamas. Even on the small islands, the British influence is visible in the architecture. Between Bahamian shacks, you'll suddenly find an estate in the Victorian style.
Dive into the Blue Hole at Andros Island. Known as the largest of the Bahama islands, Andros is home to the mystical blue holes, underwater sinkholes that are a diver's dream.
Visit the Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island. This stunning beach is famous for its soft, rosy-hued sand, offering a unique and picturesque setting for relaxation.
Kayak through the mangroves of Exuma. Paddle your way through serene mangrove forests, where you can spot a variety of wildlife and enjoy the tranquil beauty of these natural waterways.