Black Point

Black Point is a small district and settlement on the western shore of Great Exuma, the largest island in the Exuma chain in the central Bahamas. The settlement is one of the oldest on Great Exuma, established in the late 18th century by British Loyalists who developed cotton plantations on the island. Today it is a quiet, tight-knit community of a few hundred residents, centred around a harbour that serves local fishing boats and visiting yachts transiting the Exuma Cays.

The landscape around Black Point is quintessential Bahamian Out Islands — low-lying limestone terrain covered in scrubby coppice forest, flanked by calm turquoise waters on the Caribbean side and the open Exuma Sound to the east. The settlement itself is modest: a handful of churches, a government dock, a small grocery, and rows of brightly painted clapboard houses. The pace of life is unhurried, shaped by the rhythms of fishing, farming, and the sea.

Black Point's relative isolation and proximity to the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park — one of the world's first land-and-sea national parks — make it a natural base for boaters, kayakers, and nature enthusiasts exploring the central Exumas. The settlement has gained recognition for its annual regatta and for being one of the few remaining places in the Bahamas where traditional island life can be experienced without resort development.

The best time to visit is from December through April, when temperatures are comfortable (75–80°F / 24–27°C), humidity is lower, and rainfall is minimal. The settled weather and steady trade winds make this ideal for sailing, snorkelling, and exploring the Exuma Cays. The annual Black Point Regatta, typically held in late April or early May, is the settlement's biggest event and draws boats from across the Bahamas.

Hurricane season runs June through November, with September and October carrying the highest risk. Summer months bring higher temperatures (mid to upper 80s°F), increased humidity, and frequent afternoon showers. Off-season visitors will find the settlement quieter and some facilities limited, but the waters remain warm year-round and fishing is productive throughout.

Black Point is small enough to explore on foot within the settlement itself. The Queen's Highway runs the length of Great Exuma, connecting Black Point to George Town (roughly 20 miles south, about a 30-minute drive) and other settlements along the island. Renting a car in George Town and driving to Black Point is the most practical option; driving is on the left. The road is paved but narrow, with occasional potholes.

There is no public bus service. Taxis can be arranged from George Town but are expensive for a one-way trip. Boats are the primary mode of reaching the Exuma Cays from Black Point — local boatmen can be hired for day trips. The government dock in Black Point harbour accommodates small to mid-size vessels. Exuma International Airport (GGT) near George Town receives flights from Nassau, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale.

• Black Point — the settlement and its harbour, one of the oldest communities on Great Exuma; a genuine Bahamian village with churches, a government dock, and a welcoming local atmosphere.

Dining in Black Point is limited to a few casual local eateries and home-based cooks. Fresh fish — snapper, grouper, and conch — is the staple, prepared grilled, fried, or in conch salad with lime, onion, and peppers. Lobster is available in season (August–March) and is often the highlight of any meal. Bahamian sides include peas and rice, baked macaroni, and coleslaw.

Self-catering is advisable for longer stays; a small grocery in the settlement stocks basics, but provisioning from George Town before arrival is recommended. Residents often share catches and harvests, and visitors may find themselves invited to a fish fry or cookout. Rum punch and Kalik beer are the standard drinks.

Black Point's culture is rooted in Bahamian Out Island traditions — strong church community, fishing heritage, and a deep connection to the land and sea. The annual Black Point Regatta (late April/early May) is the district's signature event, featuring sloop sailing races, music, food stalls, and community celebrations that attract participants from across the Exumas and beyond.

Junkanoo is celebrated at Christmas and New Year with smaller, community-driven parades. Church life — predominantly Baptist — structures the social calendar, with Sunday services, revivals, and gospel events. Straw weaving (baskets, hats) remains a practised craft. The community is warm and hospitable to respectful visitors but retains a private, local character.

• Accessing the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park — Black Point is one of the closest settlements to this 176-square-mile protected park, offering boat access to pristine coral reefs, iguana-inhabited cays, and some of the clearest water in the Caribbean.
• Harbour life and the government dock — spend time at the Black Point dock watching fishing boats come and going, chatting with locals, and absorbing the unhurried pace of Out Island life.
• Annual regatta — if visiting in late April or early May, the Black Point Regatta is a chance to see traditional Bahamian sailing sloops race and to experience the community at its most festive.
• Bonefishing the flats — the shallow waters around Great Exuma's western shore are productive bonefishing grounds, with local guides available for half- and full-day trips.
• Exploring Great Exuma by car — use Black Point as a base to drive the Queen's Highway, visiting George Town, the Tropic of Cancer Beach, and other settlements along the island's length.