Plizio Visual Lab

Long Island Salt Works

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

Weather…

The Long Island Salt Works reflect a storied history of industrial salt extraction that once formed the economic core of the island. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, sea salt was harvested here through solar evaporation in extensive shallow ponds, a process that optimized the Bahamas' abundant sunlight and consistent trade winds. The salt produced was locally termed 'White Gold' and was exported in vast quantities to the United States and Canada, primarily for food preservation and industrial chemical use. The operation involved complex networks of canals and hand-operated or wind-powered pumps to move seawater into the crystallizing pans. Although large-scale production on Long Island was eventually superseded by the massive operations on Inagua, the remnants of these salt pans remain significant monuments of Bahamian industrial heritage. Today, the former production sites serve as important saline habitats for local birdlife and stand as silent witnesses to an era when Long Island was a major participant in the global salt trade. The historical legacy of the site is deeply intertwined with the island's early infrastructure and settlement patterns.

Location: Bahamas
Nearby: Port St. George (6 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan–Mar.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	24	24	25	25	26	28	29	29	29	28	27	26
Rain mm	29	20	21	36	74	65	49	57	75	107	64	32

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

The Long Island Salt Works is a salt extraction facility carrying on the island's traditional salt production. It plays an important role in the local economy, supplying salt for industrial and culinary uses.

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Visiting

The salt pans are typically not open to the public, as they are an active operation. From the surrounding road, the salt basins and white mounds of crude salt are visible.

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Where to view it

A good viewpoint is the road passing the salt pans, especially in late afternoon when light illuminates the white salt surfaces. A nearby hill also gives a panoramic view.

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Local products

In the area, local sea salt can be purchased from small shops or at the market in Deadman's Cay. The salt is often used as a gourmet product or for preserving fish.

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Active season

Salt production mainly occurs during the dry season, roughly from November to April, when evaporation is highest. Work is reduced during the rainy months.

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Nearby

A visit to the salt pans can be combined with a trip to the historic settlement of Deadman's Cay and the caves of Long Island. The southern beaches of the island are also worth a detour.