Clarence Town City
Main town of Long Island, Bahamas
Long Island’s Clarence Town sits near Dean’s Blue Hole; divers, freedivers and anglers come for deep blue plunge pools, quiet beaches, small guesthouses and slow-road island wandering.
Clarence Town at a Glance#
Costs: Affordable for Bahamian islands - around $80-$150 per day for guesthouses, meals and local tours.
Safety: Calm and safe for visitors - quiet and low-crime; standard island cautions about road conditions and weather apply.
Best Time: Best in the dry season (Nov-Apr) - november-April for clear skies and optimal diving and swimming conditions.
Why Visit Clarence Town?#
Long Island’s Clarence Town appeals to travelers chasing dramatic sea-and-sinkhole contrasts rather than crowds. Nearby Dean’s Blue Hole provides a world-class freediving scene, while quiet beaches, bonefishing and the local specialty cracked conch reward slow-paced exploration. Small guesthouses and church-lined streets preserve island history, and seasonal festivals bring traditional music and community feasts.
Best Things to Do in Clarence Town#
Clarence Town Bucket List#
Dean’s Blue Hole - Swim or snorkel at the world’s second‑deepest blue hole just north of Clarence Town.
Clarence Town Harbour - Stroll the harborfront, chat with fishermen, and watch small-boat activity and arrivals.
Hamilton’s Cave - Visit the limestone cave with stalactites and local stories about Long Island history.
Small local beaches near Clarence Town - Discover tucked-away sandy coves for peaceful swims and minimal crowds along the shore.
Local craft stalls and bakery - Sample Bahamian breads and shop simple handmade goods from Clarence Town vendors.
Salt flats and coastal birdwatching spots - Explore nearby salt flats to see shorebirds and coastal wetland habitats.
Cape Santa Maria Beach - Drive to the famous long white beach and cafes at Cape Santa Maria resort.
Deadman’s Cay and southern Long Island - Explore southern Long Island’s beaches, small settlements, and quiet coastal roads.
Best Time to Visit Clarence Town#
Clarence Town is nicest between November and April, when cooler temperatures and drier skies favor beaches and outdoor exploring. Summers are hot and humid, and the hurricane season brings occasional heavy storms.
November - April
19 - 26°C (66 - 79°F)
Mild days and cooling nights make island walks and beachcombing delightful; fewer flies and calmer seas improve snorkeling and boat excursions.
May - September
26 - 31°C (79 - 88°F)
Hot, humid afternoons with short downpours; mornings and evenings are best for exploring, but brace for sticky conditions midday.
June - November
26 - 31°C (79 - 88°F)
Warm, unsettled weather and storm risk increase - expect quieter guesthouses and lower prices, but always keep an eye on storm forecasts.
Clarence Town's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and warm winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 19°C to 32°C. Moderate rainfall (924 mm/year).
January
January is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).
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February
February is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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March
March is warm with highs of 27°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm).
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April
April is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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May
May is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Regular rainfall (96 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is hot, feeling like 30°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (110 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is hot, feeling like 32°C due to high humidity. Moderate rainfall (55 mm).
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August
August is the hottest month, feeling like 33°C due to high humidity. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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September
September is hot, feeling like 32°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (106 mm).
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October
October is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (174 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 23°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is warm with highs of 27°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm).
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How to Get to Clarence Town#
Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS): Nassau is the main international gateway; from NAS you connect to Long Island by domestic flight. Domestic flights to Long Island (Deadman’s Cay) are offered by Bahamasair or Western Air and take roughly 35-50 minutes.
Deadman’s Cay Airport (LGI): Deadman’s Cay is the nearest airport to Clarence Town (Long Island). From Deadman’s Cay it’s a short taxi ride into Clarence Town (typically 10-20 minutes). Taxi fares are operator-dependent and generally modest for the short distance (approx. USD 5-20).
Train: There is no rail service on Long Island or in the Bahamas.
Bus / Local Shuttle: Long Island has no formal public bus network; local travel is by taxi, rental car or arranged transfers. Travel times around the island are short; plan for taxis or pre-booked transfers between the airport and village (prices vary by operator).
How to Get Around Clarence Town#
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- Walking - Walking
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Where to Stay in Clarence Town#
Clarence Town / Cape Santa Maria - $70-180/night
Clarence Town on Long Island has very limited budget hotels; many visitors use simple guesthouses or stay at nearby Cape Santa Maria.
Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort & Villas - Often has value rooms off-peak
Local guesthouses (Airbnb listings) - Small guesthouses and self-catering options
Cape Santa Maria / Stella Maris - $140-300/night
Mid-range resorts on Long Island offer comfortable rooms, beachfront access, and easy drives to Clarence Town’s facilities.
Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort & Villas - Well-regarded beachfront resort
Stella Maris Resort Club - Comfortable resort near Long Island attractions
Cape Santa Maria - $250+/night
Luxury options on Long Island are boutique and low-key; expect spacious beachfront villas rather than large resort towers.
Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort & Villas - Premium beachfront villas and suites
Stella Maris Resort Club - Upgraded resort rooms and villas
Shopping in Clarence Town#
Shopping is minimal-you’ll find basic groceries, a few souvenir stands, and small local vendors. For specialty goods or more variety, plan to visit larger islands or bring items you might need.
Nightlife in Clarence Town#
Nightlife in Clarence Town is very limited. Evenings are low-key, focused on restaurants and guesthouses; there are no significant bars or late-night venues, so expect quiet nights.
