VIDEO: On Long Island in The Bahamas, Beaches and Blue Holes

By Guy Britton

LONG ISLAND — “We call it hailing,” Janice tells me at the Greenwich Creek Lodge.

Everyone waves here. Every car that passes by you waves — every time.

Not just occasionally — all of the time.

But when you drive for miles and miles and don’t see another car, it begins to make sense.

After a few days, hailing becomes a habit.

The Greenwich Creek Lodge.

That’s because, well, the population of Clarence Town was recorded in the 2010 Bahamian census as just 86.

Yet Clarence Town, set on Long Island in the Out Islands of The Bahamas, is the capital and veritable hub of this 80-mile-long island.

There is a beautiful, fully-stocked new marina, town docks and several great places to eat.

And while there are a few restaurants in Clarence Town, the Lighthouse Point overlooking the Flying Fish Marina offers some of the best food we’ve found anywhere in the Bahamas.

The sport fishing here is world-class, too, with Acklins, Crooked Island and The Diana Banks within running distance of the marina.

Clarence Town is also home to two iconic churches, both built by Monsignor John Cyril Hawes, commonly known as Father Jerome of Cat Island and the Hermitage.

Just outside of Clarence Town is Dean’s Blue Hole, the world’s deepest saltwater blue hole at 663 feet deep (it’s the second-deepest blue hole on earth).

Dean’s Blue Hole is also the site of an international annual free diving competition and a destination for thrill seekers and adventurers. (Origin ECN Vertical Blue International Free Diving Competition is July 16-26 in Dean’s Blue Hole)

While the island teems with beaches and blue holes, there’s more to this island than just its sheer natural beauty.

Beach at Deans Blue Hole

When you’re not exploring, head to the Harbor Breeze Villas, where you’ll find an enclave of civility and relaxation just a few minutes from Clarence Town.

The Harbor Breeze Villas.

The property is a village of 15 well-appointed villas surrounded by nature and steps from one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire Caribbean, Lochabar Beach

The beach is sugar white sand, nearly a mile long and borders — you guessed it — a blue hole.

For more, check out the Harbor Breeze Villas.