Major city · The Bahamas
Cat Island
Two nights minimum: fly from Nassau (1 h), rent a car, and spend your days on empty beaches, snorkelling and hiking to the monastery ruins.
Cat Island is one of the least developed Out Islands in the Bahamas — one road, a few villages, no public transport and no nightlife. It rewards travellers who want solitude, long walks on white-sand beaches and slow conversations with locals. Two nights let you settle in; three give you time for a boat trip or a hike to the monastery.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BSD
- Best months
- Dec–Jun
- avoid Jul–Nov (hurricane season, fewer flights)
- Airports
- ATC · TBI
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bah…
- Caribbean ↗Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bahamas and Jamaica) jail visitors for a single stray bullet or cartridge in their luggage; empty every bag and pocket before you pack.
- Caribbean ↗From August to October keep a free last day before your flight home and check the national hurricane centre daily; airports close when a named storm approaches.
- Caribbean ↗Wearing camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians in several islands, including Barbados, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica; leave it at home, children's clothes included.
- The Bahamas ↗Check entry rules for your passport on the official Bahamas government sources before you fly; requirements differ by nationality.
- The Bahamas ↗Respect marine protected areas: fishing, collecting shells or coral and anchoring rules are enforced in national parks such as the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.
- The Bahamas ↗Do not bring firearms or ammunition; even a single forgotten round in a bag can lead to arrest.
- The Bahamas ↗Water-sports operators on Nassau and Paradise Island beaches are poorly regulated: use tour companies booked through your hotel and wear a life jacket.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Cat Island911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cat Island, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Bahamian dollar (BSD), held at par with the US dollar; US dollars are accepted everywhere and change often comes back mixed.The Bahamas-wide
- SIM or eSIMBTC and Aliv sell prepaid SIMs and eSIMs at Nassau airport and in town.The Bahamas-wide
- Tap waterNassau tap water is treated but many buy bottled; on the Out Islands drink bottled or filtered.The Bahamas-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 15% often added; check the bill.The Bahamas-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.The Bahamas-wide
- SafetyCat Island is very safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsIn hotels, restaurants and marinas; few public toilets.The Bahamas-wide
- Emergency numbers911 or 919 police / fire / ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSunday closures common; Out Island shops close by 17:00.Sunday closures common; Out Island shops close by 5:00 PM.The Bahamas-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportATC Arthur's Town Airport (Northern end of the island; flights from Nassau, about 1 h).
- Getting aroundNo public transport.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerLocal beer (Kalik)BSD 5–8
- Budget bedBeachside villa or bungalow (budget), a night, per roomBSD 120
- Mid-range bedBeachside villa or bungalow (budget), a night, per roomBSD 180
- High-end bedBeachside villa or bungalow (budget), a night, per roomBSD 250
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BSD 150 · Mid BSD 250 · High BSD 400
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ATC Arthur's Town Airport (Northern end of the island; flights from Nassau, about 1 h) · TBI New Bight Airport (Central Cat Island; more car rentals nearby)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Feb
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Best: Dec–Jun. Avoid: Jul–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Aug (16 rain days), driest Apr (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cat Island: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7 rd
Feb
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
Dec
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
No public transport. Rent a car from one of the agencies near New Bight (check availability ahead). Some villas offer bicycles. The main road runs the length of the island — about 1.5 h end to end.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
The Hermitage monastery
goDoor to door: About 30 min from New Bight
Drive to the trailhead north of New Bight, then a 15–20 min hike uphill
Short hike with a panoramic view; go in the morning before the heat.
Fish fry at New Bight
goDoor to door: 5 min from New Bight Airport
Walk or drive to the collection of food stalls near the airport
Open evenings; call ahead to confirm which stalls are operating.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
New Bight area
Closest to the airport, the fish fry and the monastery hike; most car rentals here.
Arthur's Town area
Quieter, near Da Smoke Pot restaurant; good for the northern beaches.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- BSD 150–250 excl. bed
- Mid
- BSD 250–400 excl. bed
- High
- BSD 400+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Beachside villa or bungalow (mid-range)1 × 2 nights × BSD 250 | BSD 500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × BSD 250 | BSD 1,000 |
| Car rental per day1 × BSD 80 · check | BSD 80 |
| Meal at a local restaurant (fish fry or Da Smoke Pot)2 × BSD 25 | BSD 50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BSD 163 |
| Trip total≈ BSD 448 per person per day, bed included | BSD 1,793 |
2026 estimate in BSD; flights from Nassau excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Beachside villa per nightcheck | BSD 120–600 |
| Fried fish or conch at fish fry | BSD 12–20 |
| Local beer (Kalik) | BSD 5–8 |
| Car rental per daycheck | BSD 60–120 |
| Flight from Nassau (one way)check | BSD 100–180 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Mosquitoes and sandflies at sunset: bring DEET repellent.
- Restaurants often require a call ahead to order; plan meals in advance.
- No ATMs on the island — bring enough cash (BSD or USD) for your stay.
- Fuel stations are limited; fill up when you see one.
Emergency numbers
- Police / Fire / Ambulance
- 911 or 919
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Cat IslandCat Island
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911 or 919
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Nassau → New Bight (flight): about BSD 100–180 one way, 1 h (check)
- Car rental per day: BSD 60–120 (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- One beer, please — One beer, please (one beer please)
- Where is the bathroom? — Where is the bathroom? (where is the bathroom)
English is the official language; Bahamian Creole is common in casual speech.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cat Island. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Jun · avoid Jul–Nov (hurricane season, fewer flights) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Cat Island
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