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The Bahamas🇧🇸 | villagesClarence TownTwin hilltop churches, working harbor, Father Jerome, quiet evenings | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Clarence Town
👍 Recommendedvillage ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 20, 2026

Clarence Town sits on Long Island, and plenty of travelers assume it is the island’s main hub, when Deadman’s Cay and Simms handle the shopping and the airport traffic while this settlement stays small and quiet. You’ll find it on the eastern side of Long Island in the central Bahamas, strung along a hillside above a harbor. The two pastel churches, both designed by Father Jerome, are the reason people detour here, and the climb to the harbor view is a short, easy walk. Evenings are still. A few locals gather at the settlement’s bar, dinner often ends by dark, and you will meet other travelers mostly by chance rather than in a hostel common room. Rent a car, since distances are long and taxis scarce, and go for the afternoon light on the white church facades. Dean’s Blue Hole lies a short drive south. Who will love it: slow travelers, divers, and photographers. Who won’t: anyone craving nightlife or a packed social scene.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 The Bahamas Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 village in The BahamasWhy Clarence Town should be on your travel list

Clarence Town earns its stop because it gives Long Island a face. Two churches on the hill, St. Paul’s Anglican and St. Peter’s Catholic, face each other across the harbor, both the work of the architect-priest Father Jerome, and they make the village far more memorable than its size suggests. Most people stay a night or two, though divers linger longer because Dean’s Blue Hole, one of the deepest known blue holes in the world, is a short drive away and draws freedivers and snorkelers from across the globe. The pace is slow. You wake to roosters and boat engines, you eat where the kitchen is open, and you plan around a rental car rather than public transit. It suits solo travelers who like quiet, couples, divers, and anyone building a Bahamas route off the Nassau and Exuma circuit who wants … read more 👉
Clarence Town earns its stop because it gives Long Island a face. Two churches on the hill, St. Paul’s Anglican and St. Peter’s Catholic, face each other across the harbor, both the work of the architect-priest Father Jerome, and they make the village far more memorable than its size suggests. Most people stay a night or two, though divers linger longer because Dean’s Blue Hole, one of the deepest known blue holes in the world, is a short drive away and draws freedivers and snorkelers from across the globe. The pace is slow. You wake to roosters and boat engines, you eat where the kitchen is open, and you plan around a rental car rather than public transit. It suits solo travelers who like quiet, couples, divers, and anyone building a Bahamas route off the Nassau and Exuma circuit who wants a pause between islands. Social life is thin. If you need a hostel scene or bars that run late, this is the wrong stop, but if you want sea views and uncrowded roads, it fits well.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. St. Paul’s Anglican Church: Built in the early 1900s and set on the hill above the harbor, it is the pale, twin-towered church most people come to see. Walk the steps for the view over the water. Go in the late afternoon for the best light. It is free to enter when open, and 30 minutes is plenty.
  2. St. Peter’s Catholic Church: Designed by Father Jerome, who also built The Hermitage on Cat Island, this church stands across the harbor with a distinctive spire and a simple whitewashed interior. Morning light is best, and it is free to visit. Allow 20 to 30 minutes. Dress modestly, since it remains an active parish.
  3. Clarence Town Harbor: A working waterfront where fishing boats come and go, with the two churches reflected on calm days. Early morning is the time to watch crews unload conch and fish.
… read more 👉
  1. St. Paul’s Anglican Church: Built in the early 1900s and set on the hill above the harbor, it is the pale, twin-towered church most people come to see. Walk the steps for the view over the water. Go in the late afternoon for the best light. It is free to enter when open, and 30 minutes is plenty.
  2. St. Peter’s Catholic Church: Designed by Father Jerome, who also built The Hermitage on Cat Island, this church stands across the harbor with a distinctive spire and a simple whitewashed interior. Morning light is best, and it is free to visit. Allow 20 to 30 minutes. Dress modestly, since it remains an active parish.
  3. Clarence Town Harbor: A working waterfront where fishing boats come and go, with the two churches reflected on calm days. Early morning is the time to watch crews unload conch and fish. It costs nothing to wander, and an hour covers it, longer if you stop to talk with fishermen.
Clarence Town’s harbor walk and both churches are free, so the only money you spend is on parking-free roadside stops and a snack. From here, day trips reach Dean’s Blue Hole, Cape Santa Maria beach on the north end of the island, and the caves and cliffs near Columbus Point.
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Things to do near Clarence Town

Exuma Island and Cays Tour

Exuma Island and Cays Tour

4.9(109) 7h 30m
From €299
per personViator
3 Hours Guided Great Exuma ATV Tour

3 Hours Guided Great Exuma ATV Tour

4.9(96) 3h
From €158
per personViator
Exuma,Bahamas: 6 Seater Buggy/Jeep Rental with Bluetooth speakers

Exuma,Bahamas: 6 Seater Buggy/Jeep Rental with Bluetooth speakers

5.0(37) 24h
From €272
per personViator
Crystal Bay Exuma Private Boat Tours & Fishing Charters

Crystal Bay Exuma Private Boat Tours & Fishing Charters

4.7(13)
From €913
per personViator
Great Exuma: Private Island-Hopping Boat Tour with Swimming Pigs

Great Exuma: Private Island-Hopping Boat Tour with Swimming Pigs

4.9(11) 8h
From €5,445
per personViator
Bahamas Bash Scavenger Hunt (Exumas)

Bahamas Bash Scavenger Hunt (Exumas)

3.7(3) 2h
From €21
per personViator
Bahamas Local Water Tours to George Town and Exuma

Bahamas Local Water Tours to George Town and Exuma

3.3(3)
From €159
per personViator
Bahamas Airport(GGT) to Island hotels-Round-Trip Private Transfer

Bahamas Airport(GGT) to Island hotels-Round-Trip Private Transfer

5.0(1) 2h
From €130
per personViator
George Town to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Transfer

George Town to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Transfer

0.0(0) 15m
From €127
per personViator
Private Vacation Photoshoot with Photographer Georgetown Bahamas

Private Vacation Photoshoot with Photographer Georgetown Bahamas

0.0(0) 1h
From €149
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • Winter Dry Season (December to April): Clarence Town is at its most comfortable, with highs of 25 to 28°C (77 to 82°F), lows near 18 to 21°C (64 to 70°F) and little rain. Days run about 11 hours. Rental cars and rooms are scarcest and priciest, so book early.
  • Spring (May to June): Highs reach 29 to 31°C (84 to 88°F). Seas are calm and clear, the freediving crowd gathers around Dean’s Blue Hole, and rates ease.
  • Summer (July to September): Expect 31 to 33°C (88 to 91°F), heavy humidity, mosquitoes and afternoon downpours. Days are about 13 hours. Prices are lowest, but some small businesses close.
  • Hurricane Peak (August to October): Storm risk is highest, and mailboat schedules can stop at short notice. Buy flexible tickets.
  • Late Autumn (November): Humidity drops, rain tapers off, and winter visitors
… read more 👉
  • Winter Dry Season (December to April): Clarence Town is at its most comfortable, with highs of 25 to 28°C (77 to 82°F), lows near 18 to 21°C (64 to 70°F) and little rain. Days run about 11 hours. Rental cars and rooms are scarcest and priciest, so book early.
  • Spring (May to June): Highs reach 29 to 31°C (84 to 88°F). Seas are calm and clear, the freediving crowd gathers around Dean’s Blue Hole, and rates ease.
  • Summer (July to September): Expect 31 to 33°C (88 to 91°F), heavy humidity, mosquitoes and afternoon downpours. Days are about 13 hours. Prices are lowest, but some small businesses close.
  • Hurricane Peak (August to October): Storm risk is highest, and mailboat schedules can stop at short notice. Buy flexible tickets.
  • Late Autumn (November): Humidity drops, rain tapers off, and winter visitors have not yet arrived.
For the best mix of calm water and softer prices, arrive in late April or May.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: below average for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in The Bahamas

Clarence Town has only a handful of places to sleep, so expect guesthouses and rental cottages rather than hostels, and expect to pay about US$100 to 180 a night for a basic double. Book ahead, because there are few rooms and no walk-in backup.
Staying right in Clarence Town puts you steps from the harbor and the two hilltop churches, St. Paul’s Anglican and St. Peter’s Catholic, both designed by Father Jerome. You will be eating at the few local spots or cooking for yourself, so buy groceries before you arrive. Settlement shops carry basics, but stock is thin when the mailboat is late.
Self-catering … read more 👉
Clarence Town has only a handful of places to sleep, so expect guesthouses and rental cottages rather than hostels, and expect to pay about US$100 to 180 a night for a basic double. Book ahead, because there are few rooms and no walk-in backup.
Staying right in Clarence Town puts you steps from the harbor and the two hilltop churches, St. Paul’s Anglican and St. Peter’s Catholic, both designed by Father Jerome. You will be eating at the few local spots or cooking for yourself, so buy groceries before you arrive. Settlement shops carry basics, but stock is thin when the mailboat is late.
Self-catering rentals are the best value for two or more people. A kitchen saves you US$40 to 60 a day over eating out, and many rentals offer weekly discounts. Cottages near the water are quiet at night, with only wind and frogs.
If Clarence Town is full, the next options are around Deadman’s Cay to the north (about 30 minutes by car) and the Stella Maris resort area further up the island. Both have more rooms, but prices are higher. Whichever you choose, arrange a rental car, which typically costs US$80 to 110 a day, since taxis are scarce and distances are long.
Best hostels in The Bahamas


Best quality hotels in The Bahamas

🚌 Day tripsExploring the surroundings

Clarence Town works well as a base for day trips if you have a car, because Long Island is a long, thin strip with one main road and nothing is more than about two hours away.Dean’s Blue Hole: This is the one to do first. The hole drops about 200 meters, making it among the deepest in the world, and the white-sand cove around it is shallow and calm enough for swimming. It is a 15 to 20 minute drive from town and entry is free. Go in the morning, when the water is clearest. Bring your own snorkel gear and water, because there are no shops on the beach, and do not swim over the edge without a buddy.
👉 Explore Dean’s Blue HoleDeadman’s Cay and Hamilton’s Cave: Deadman’s Cay is the island’s main settlement, with the biggest grocery stores, the airport and fuel, about 30 minutes north. Hamilton’s … read more 👉
Clarence Town works well as a base for day trips if you have a car, because Long Island is a long, thin strip with one main road and nothing is more than about two hours away.Dean’s Blue Hole: This is the one to do first. The hole drops about 200 meters, making it among the deepest in the world, and the white-sand cove around it is shallow and calm enough for swimming. It is a 15 to 20 minute drive from town and entry is free. Go in the morning, when the water is clearest. Bring your own snorkel gear and water, because there are no shops on the beach, and do not swim over the edge without a buddy.
👉 Explore Dean’s Blue HoleDeadman’s Cay and Hamilton’s Cave: Deadman’s Cay is the island’s main settlement, with the biggest grocery stores, the airport and fuel, about 30 minutes north. Hamilton’s Cave, a short drive further, holds bats and Lucayan carvings. A guide is useful for finding the entrance, and a tip of US$10 to 20 is reasonable. Bring a headlamp and closed shoes. Plan three to four hours in total and stock up on food while you are there. Many first-timers arrive with no cash, and card machines are unreliable.
Cape Santa Maria Beach: This long arc of white sand at the north end is the island’s best-known beach and the reason to make the longest drive, about 1.5 to 2 hours each way. Fuel and lunch can bring the day to US$50 to 80 per person if you share the car. Leave early to get back before dark, as the road has no lights and livestock sometimes wander onto it. Winter and spring offer the calmest water.
Stella Maris: Stella Maris is the island’s dive and boating hub, with a marina and restaurants, about 1.5 hours from Clarence Town. A reef dive typically costs US$90 to 130, and a shark-dive outing costs more, so decide beforehand and book a day earlier. Windy days can cancel boat trips, so keep your schedule flexible.

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Most travelers reach Clarence Town by flying from Nassau to Deadman’s Cay on Long Island, a flight of about 45 minutes that typically costs US$120 to 250 return. From the airport it is roughly a 30 minute drive south, and you will want a rental car at US$80 to 110 a day. The cheaper but slower route is the mailboat from Nassau, which takes about 12 to 18 hours and costs roughly US$60 to 100 one way, though schedules shift with weather.
Yes, Clarence Town is worth the trip if you like quiet harbors, swimming and freediving more than nightlife. Dean’s Blue Hole, about 200 meters deep, is only 15 to 20 minutes away by car and free to visit, and the two hilltop churches by Father Jerome sit right in the settlement. Plan at least three nights to see the area, because getting here takes real effort and there are few services.
Clarence Town is hard to do as a day trip from Nassau because the flight to Deadman’s Cay is around 45 minutes and the schedule rarely allows a same-day return. It works well as a base for day trips around Long Island, though, including Dean’s Blue Hole (15 to 20 minutes), Hamilton’s Cave (about an hour) and Cape Santa Maria (1.5 to 2 hours). Count on staying at least two nights and renting a car.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Where to go next

Clarence Town isn’t the only highlight in The Bahamas. Explore all what The Bahamas has to offer.
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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Clarence Town rewards anyone who stays past the churches, because the harbor at dusk, with boats settling in and the hillside going quiet, is the real show. I would fill the gas tank and pack snacks and water before heading in, since options are limited. Skip rushing, take the long road south to the blue hole, and let the evening do its work.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in The Bahamas. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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