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Smith's Bay

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City
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Smith's Bay (Bahamas)
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Practical info — Smith's Bay

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • This is an administrative hub; you can find the post office and clinics here.
  • The mailboat docks here, making it a bustling area on delivery days-great for people watching.
  • Always check the mailboat schedule if you plan to travel by sea to Nassau.
  • Many places close on Sundays, so plan your meals and shopping accordingly.

🍽 Food

🍽
Boiled Fish and Grits

Local morning spots

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Conch Fritters

Snack stands near the dock

🍽
Peas and Rice with Chicken

Traditional lunch joints

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Mailboat produce

Fresh produce arriving on the mailboat

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Basic supplies

Local general stores and hardware shops

🧘
The harbor at sunset

Peaceful views after the boats have settled

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Coastal paths

Leading away from the main dock

Smith's Bay is a spirited and strategically significant town located on the western coast of Cat Island. The settlement serves as the administrative capital for the local government and acts as the central hub for many of the island's essential services. The harbor at Smith's Bay is of paramount importance, serving as the primary docking site for the weekly mailboat that delivers vital supplies and connects residents with the rest of the Bahamas. Historically, the bay was a major shipping point for local produce and fresh seafood. Today, Smith's Bay is also a major cultural center, famously hosting the annual Rake 'n' Scrape Festival, which draws talented musicians and thousands of visitors from across the archipelago. The town provides a balanced mix of modern administrative utility and traditional island charm. Its coastline features rugged limestone formations and small, protected coves great for marine activities.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan–Mar.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C232424252628282929282625
Rain mm31252543921028193110935830

Geography

Coordinates
24.38330, -75.48330

Facts

  • Serves as the official seat of the Cat Island Administrator's Office.
  • Primary port of call for the vital weekly mailboat service from Nassau.
  • The primary host site for the world-famous annual Rake 'n' Scrape Festival.
  • Renowned among anglers for its accessible and productive bonefishing flats.
  • Home to a modern community medical clinic serving the southern district.
  • Acts as the principal logistical hub for regional commerce and distribution.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Cat Island's Central RidgeCat Island's Central Ridge<1 km · WExplore →
Bain TownBain Town3 km · SWExplore →
Subsistence Farming on Cat IslandSubsistence Farming on Cat Island3 km · NWExplore →
BurrowsBurrows4 km · SExplore →
New BightNew Bight4 km · NWExplore →
The Hermitage on Cat IslandThe Hermitage on Cat Island5 km · SWExplore →
Port HowePort Howe7 km · NWExplore →
Hawks NestHawks Nest9 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Frequently asked questions

Where is Smith's Bay located?
Smith's Bay is a peaceful village on the west coast of Cat Island.
Is the harbour important for the town?
Yes, the harbour is an important stop for boats and mail ships.
What can you do in Smith's Bay?
You can go for wonderful walks, enjoy the peace and eat fresh fish.
How is the atmosphere in the village?
Very relaxed and friendly, far away from mass tourism.
Is there Wi-Fi in the area?
Wi-Fi is available in most accommodations, but it can be unstable.
Smith's Bay: where is it located?
Smith's Bay is located in Bahamas.
Smith's Bay: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Mar.
Smith's Bay: why is it worth visiting?
Smith's Bay is a spirited and strategically significant town located on the western coast of Cat Island.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Arthur&#39;s Town — Smith's Bay (Bahamas)
Arthur's Town
The childhood home of Sidney Poitier, located on Cat Island.
Bain Town — Smith's Bay (Bahamas)
Bain Town
A small community on Cat Island.
Burrows — Smith's Bay (Bahamas)
Burrows
A very small settlement on Cat Island.
New Bight — Smith's Bay (Bahamas)
New Bight
The capital of Cat Island, featuring an airport.
Port Howe — Smith's Bay (Bahamas)
Port Howe
A historic settlement on Cat Island.
Hawks Nest — Smith's Bay (Bahamas)
Hawks Nest
A small resort community in the south of Cat Island.
Old Bight — Smith's Bay (Bahamas)
Old Bight
One of the largest settlements on Cat Island.
Gaitors — Smith's Bay (Bahamas)
Gaitors
A small community in central Cat Island.
Bennetts Harbour — Smith's Bay (Bahamas)
Bennetts Harbour
A small harbor settlement on Cat Island.
Orange Creek — Smith's Bay (Bahamas)
Orange Creek
A settlement in northern Cat Island.

More places

Cat Island&#39;s Central Ridge — Smith's Bay (Bahamas)
Cat Island's Central Ridge
The hilly ridge forming the spine of Cat Island, culminating in Mount Alvernia, the nation's highest point.
Subsistence Farming on Cat Island — Smith's Bay (Bahamas)
Subsistence Farming on Cat Island
Many residents of Cat Island practice small-scale farming and gardening, growing traditional crops like sweet potatoes, cassava, and pige…
Cat Island — Smith's Bay (Bahamas)
Cat Island
An unspoiled island featuring the highest point in The Bahamas, Mount Alvernia.
Lookout Tower on Cat Island — Smith's Bay (Bahamas)
Lookout Tower on Cat Island
An old stone tower likely used as a lookout point to monitor shipping traffic and potential invaders.
The Hermitage on Cat Island — Smith's Bay (Bahamas)
The Hermitage on Cat Island
A small, hand-built monastery on the highest point in the Bahamas.
Deveaux Plantation — Smith's Bay (Bahamas)
Deveaux Plantation
The ruins of a large Loyalist cotton plantation on Cat Island.
Conception Island — Smith's Bay (Bahamas)
Conception Island
A pristine, uninhabited island protected as a national park and a vital wildlife habitat.
Conception Island Wall — Smith's Bay (Bahamas)
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