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Rum Cay

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Island
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Rum Cay (Bahamas)

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Rum Cay is a small, historically significant island in the southeastern Bahamas, covering an area of approximately 78 square kilometers. Originally inhabited by the Lucayan Indians, the island was visited by Christopher Columbus in 1492, who named it 'Santa Maria de la Concepción.' Its current name is said to originate from a shipwreck carrying a cargo of rum that occurred off its shores. A major historical landmark is the wreck of the HMS Conqueror, a British warship that sank on a reef off Rum Cay in 1861 and is now protected as an underwater museum. Today, the island is sparsely populated, with Port Nelson being the sole remaining settlement. Geographically, the island is surrounded by deep coral reefs and dramatic underwater walls, making it a key site for marine biology and diving. The interior features salt pans and low hills, with caves that still contain prehistoric Lucayan petroglyphs. The remote nature of Rum Cay ensures a nearly pristine maritime environment, largely undisturbed by major tourism flows.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan–Mar.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C242424252628282929282625
Rain mm251817366562535972835430

📋 Practical info

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Getting there
This dreamy island is most frequently reached by an exclusive charter flight or private boat directly from Nassau or other major Bahamian islands, as traditional commercial transportation options are extremely limited.
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Best season
By far the most popular time to visit ranges from mid-December to mid-April, enchanting with idyllic sunny days, wonderfully low humidity, and a significantly lower risk of unpredictable and heavy tropical storms.
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Terrain & paths
The enchanting terrain provides a photogenic mix of gentle, green rolling hills, dramatic offshore coral reefs, fascinating historic plantation ruins, and endlessly long stretches of completely quiet, totally undeveloped sandy beaches.
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What to bring
Be sure to pack your own snorkeling or surfing equipment, strictly reef-safe sunscreen, very comfortable beachwear, and absolutely reliable hiking shoes if you plan to extensively explore the old ruins deep in the interior.
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Parking
Relaxed transportation on the island is almost exclusively by foot, simple bicycle, or golf cart; elegant private boats or yachts can always safely and quietly anchor at the excellent marina facilities located directly in Port Nelson.
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Safety
Everyday crime is practically completely non-existent on this wonderfully quiet island, but visitors should always pay very close attention to unpredictable, extremely strong ocean currents when bravely surfing or snorkeling on the distant outer reefs.
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Time needed
An idyllic stay of a solid three to five days truly provides ample time to fully enjoy the fantastic surfing conditions, deeply explore the historical sites, and completely relax and unplug in this entirely secluded island paradise.

Geography

Coordinates
23.68000, -74.84000

Facts

  • Christopher Columbus visited the island on his first voyage in 1492.
  • The HMS Conqueror sank off the island's coast in December 1861.
  • Port Nelson is currently the only inhabited town on Rum Cay.
  • The island occupies a total land area of 78 square kilometers.
  • Ancient Lucayan petroglyphs have been discovered in local caves.
  • Salt production was the primary industry on the island in the 1800s.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Port NelsonPort Nelson<1 km · NWExplore →
Long Island Salt WorksLong Island Salt Works21 km · SWExplore →
Hard BargainHard Bargain23 km · WExplore →
St. Peter's and St. Paul's Catholic ChurchSt. Peter's and St. Paul's Catholic Church23 km · SWExplore →
Gordon'sGordon's24 km · WExplore →
Long Island's Atlantic CliffsLong Island's Atlantic Cliffs24 km · SWExplore →
Addison's PlantationAddison's Plantation25 km · WExplore →
Dean's Blue HoleDean's Blue Hole26 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

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Why is the island called Rum Cay?
Named after a shipwreck where a cargo of rum washed ashore.
What can you discover underwater?
Famous wrecks like the HMS Conqueror, the Royal Navy's first iron warship.
Are there any settlements?
The only major settlement is Port Nelson in the south.
Is the island touristy?
No, it is almost forgotten and gives absolute solitude.
What is Hartford Cave?
A cave with ancient petroglyphs made by the Lucayan Indians.
Rum Cay: where is it located?
Rum Cay is located in Bahamas.
Rum Cay: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Mar.
Rum Cay: why is it worth visiting?
Rum Cay is a small, historically significant island in the southeastern Bahamas, covering an area of approximately 78 square kilometers.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

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Port Nelson
The main settlement on Rum Cay, a quiet and secluded island.
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Hard Bargain
A small settlement in southern Long Island.
Gordon&#39;s — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
Gordon's
The southernmost settlement on Long Island.
Port St. George — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
Port St. George
A planned but never fully realized settlement on Long Island.
Cecil — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
Cecil
A small residential settlement on Long Island.
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McKann's
A settlement in the middle of Long Island.
Simms — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
Simms
A settlement in the northern part of Long Island.
Dunmore — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
Dunmore
A small settlement on Long Island.
Mortimer&#39;s — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
Mortimer's
A settlement at the northern tip of Long Island.
Landrail Point — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
Landrail Point
A settlement on Crooked Island known for its fishing.
Albert Town — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
Albert Town
A settlement on Long Cay in the Crooked Islands.
Old Bight — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
Old Bight
One of the largest settlements on Cat Island.
Port Howe — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
Port Howe
A historic settlement on Cat Island.
New Bight — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
New Bight
The capital of Cat Island, featuring an airport.
True Blue — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
True Blue
A very small settlement on Crooked Island.

History & landmarks

Dean&#39;s Blue Hole — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
Dean's Blue Hole
The world's deepest saltwater blue hole located on Long Island.
Dixon Hill Lighthouse — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
Dixon Hill Lighthouse
One of the last hand-operated kerosene lighthouses in the world, located on San Salvador.

Nature

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Pigeon Creek (San Salvador)
A large tidal creek and lagoon system in southeastern San Salvador, a vital marine habitat.

More places

Salt Beacon of Rum Cay — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
Salt Beacon of Rum Cay
A stone tower that once served as a beacon for ships transporting salt from the island.
Long Island Salt Works — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
Long Island Salt Works
A salt operation continuing the island's traditional production.
St. Peter&#39;s and St. Paul&#39;s Catholic Church — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
St. Peter's and St. Paul's Catholic Church
One of Father Jerome's twin churches in Clarence Town.
Long Island&#39;s Atlantic Cliffs — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
Long Island's Atlantic Cliffs
The eastern coast of Long Island is marked by dramatic cliffs that drop steeply into the Atlantic Ocean.
Addison&#39;s Plantation — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
Addison's Plantation
Ruins of a Loyalist-era plantation on Long Island.
Conception Island Wall — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
Conception Island Wall
A dramatic underwater wall that plummets into the deep off the coast of Conception Island, very popular with divers.
Deadman&#39;s Cay Agri Depot — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
Deadman's Cay Agri Depot
A transfer point for agricultural goods in southern Long Island.
Conception Island — Rum Cay (Bahamas)
Conception Island
A pristine, uninhabited island protected as a national park and a vital wildlife habitat.