Clarence Town Travel Guide

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.

Main image
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.
Time
Weather
Population
1,752
Infrastructure & Convenience
Very limited public transit; small harbor, few shops and basic amenities; car or taxi needed for exploring.
Popularity
Attracts divers, free-divers, and travelers seeking remote, nature-focused island experiences.
Known For
Dean's Blue Hole, diving, snorkeling, remote beaches, fishing, relaxed island life, small guesthouses, salt ponds
Clarence Town is the nearest settlement to Dean's Blue Hole, one of the world's deepest vertical marine sinkholes (~202 m).

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.

Top Things to Do in Clarence Town

All Attractions ›
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.

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
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.
Hot Season
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.
Hurricane Season
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.

Best Time to Visit Clarence Town #

Climate

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).

Best Time to Visit
FebruaryMarchApril
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
18°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).

88 Excellent

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
19° 25°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
10.7h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
20° 26°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

35 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
11.3h daylight

March

March is warm with highs of 27°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm).

90 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
21° 27°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

30 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.0
UV Index
Extreme
11.9h daylight

April

April is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

90 Ideal

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
22° 28°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
12.6h daylight

May

May is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Regular rainfall (96 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
24° 29°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

96 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
13.1h daylight

June

June is hot, feeling like 30°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (110 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

30°
Feels Like Hot
27°C
Temperature
24° 30°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

110 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
13.4h daylight

July

July is hot, feeling like 32°C due to high humidity. Moderate rainfall (55 mm).

80 Excellent

Comfort

32°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
25° 31°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

55 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
13.3h daylight

August

August is the hottest month, feeling like 33°C due to high humidity. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

33°
Feels Like Hot
29°C
Temperature
25° 32°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

81 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
12.8h daylight

September

September is hot, feeling like 32°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (106 mm).

82 Excellent

Comfort

32°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
25° 31°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

106 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
12.2h daylight

October

October is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (174 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
24° 30°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

174 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
11.5h daylight

November

November is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 23°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

80 Excellent

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
23° 28°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

87 mm
Rainfall
6.9 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.3
UV Index
High
10.9h daylight

December

December is warm with highs of 27°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm).

88 Excellent

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
22° 27°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
5.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
10.6h daylight

How to Get to Clarence Town

By Air

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).

By Train & Bus

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 #

Clarence Town on Long Island is small and easy to walk, especially around the settlement and waterfront. Local travel generally relies on private cars, occasional taxis, or rental vehicles for exploring the island’s beaches and attractions. Inter-island ferries and small aircraft connect Long Island to other Bahamian hubs; services are infrequent, so book ahead and double-check schedules.

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.
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.
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.

Where to Eat in Clarence Town #

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.

Nearby Cities #