Clarence Town
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
Don't Miss
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.
Hidden Gems
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.
Day Trips
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.
Nearby Cities #
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.
Cool Season
Mild days and cooling nights make island walks and beachcombing delightful; fewer flies and calmer seas improve snorkeling and boat excursions.
Hot Season
Hot, humid afternoons with short downpours; mornings and evenings are best for exploring, but brace for sticky conditions midday.
Hurricane Season
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).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 19° - 25° | 22° | 50 mm | some cloud | 75% | 4.0 m/s | 1.2 high | 10.7h |
| February | Ideal | 20° - 26° | 23° | 35 mm | mostly sunny | 75% | 4.8 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.3h |
| March | Ideal | 21° - 27° | 24° | 30 mm | some cloud | 74% | 4.3 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 11.9h |
| April | Ideal | 22° - 28° | 25° | 48 mm | mostly sunny | 75% | 4.5 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.6h |
| May | Excellent | 24° - 29° | 26° | 96 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.7 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 13.1h |
| June | Excellent | 24° - 30° | 30° | 110 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.8 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 13.4h |
| July | Excellent | 25° - 31° | 32° | 55 mm | some cloud | 77% | 5.5 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 13.3h |
| August | Very Good | 25° - 32° | 33° | 81 mm | mostly sunny | 77% | 4.9 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.8h |
| September | Excellent | 25° - 31° | 32° | 106 mm | some cloud | 77% | 5.6 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.2h |
| October | Very Good | 24° - 30° | 27° | 174 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 5.4 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.5h |
| November | Excellent | 23° - 28° | 26° | 87 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 6.9 m/s | 1.3 high | 10.9h |
| December | Excellent | 22° - 27° | 24° | 52 mm | some cloud | 76% | 5.3 m/s | 1.1 high | 10.6h |
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
Budget
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
Mid-Range
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
Luxury
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
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.
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.